Props

I don't need many props for my opening location, apart from a radio all the other props I will find on location as they are part of the setting. It was important the radio looked old and used so I found one at home which had the glass screen missing and paint splashes on it so it fitted with the caravan setting.

I used a old car radio and bought a CB radio microphone online to use for on the main set. It was important it looks old a tatty because it's going to be in the close up of many shots and it needs to match it with the setting of a uncivilised world.

Location scout

 I went in search of locations for my opening sequence that had a abandoned, overgrown feel to them. I found this place along an old railway line of an unused bridge and a fallen down shed which was perfect to fill a few seconds of my opening. Its important in a post apocalyptic genre that a strong setting is established, so I will find more of these types of locations. The bridge is perfect to show how nature has taken over from man. On this shot I plan to edit in graffiti as if it has been written on the bridge.

Another location I looked at to possible use was the beach. Because its the winter and when the tide is out the boats left stranded on the sand can look old and rotten. However  I decided against using this because using too many different settings might seem confusing to the viewer and it would be hard to link this in with the other settings.

Voiceover - final draft

This is the final draft of the voiceover to go in my opening sequence. I 've used mainly short and sharp sentences to add effect and make it seem dramatic, I intend to have long pauses to create some tension. Also add some audio effects to make it seem like a radio broadcast.

*breathes out*

My name is Martin Johnson.

Two years today the first outbreak of the kilo-virus was recorded.

Since then death, destruction and chaos consumed out planet

Humanity, lost.

Civilisation, turned to rubble and ruin.

 

Those left believe God is cleansing the Earth, but instead of a flood he sent a killer virus,

Rather than building an ark, he granted us immunity. 

Some thank God for blessing their souls

Others cursed him for abducting their family and burning their worlds.

Every man now lives for himself, all alone

I won’t give up hope, our lives are meant for more than scavenging and death

 I believe we were spared for a purpose

We just have to find out what purpose

So I’m broadcasting this.  To any fellow immunes.

 

You are not alone.

Character

Name: Martin Johnson

Aged:  28

Profession: Police Officer in London

History: Dad was a commander in the army. Both parents died in a car accident when he was 5, was raised by his Aunt. Left School at 17 and joined the Police academy. Joined the police force at 20 is now an assistant chief Constable. Got Married last year.

Hobbies: Takes part in the London marathon every year. Does boxing and combat sports. Travels a lot with his wife. Has a passion for American muscle cars.

Current situation: Lost his Aunt during the virus outbreak, travelled around Britain alone though, bumped into several groups of people. Has returned to childhood town in hope of finding his wife.

Audience Research Feedback

From my audience research I received lots of positive feedback about my idea. They said that I was introducing a strong sense of setting and I was hinting at, but not giving away the storyline. However they did say that the introduction of a character is very important in an opening. This is why I decided to add the clip at the beginning where the characters hand and mouth are seen; I feel this will add a stronger presence to the character. They all agreed that post-apocalyptic fiction is aimed at a younger audience mainly teenagers, so I know my products aimed at the right section of the market. They also said they would expect to see action in a post-apocalyptic opening, which I haven't included in my opening but will definitely be in the rest of the film.

Research and developing my ideas

Looking at different post-apocalyptic short films and scenes to see how they have shown setting. This will help with my own film ideas and ideas about props and camera angles.

My ideas so far...

For my opening I have decided to do a post-apocalyptic style film. My idea is to have a radio broadcast which will be a voiceover in the opening. This voiceover is how I'm introducing my main character. On screen I'm having setting shots showing a derelict, abandoned objects and buildings to show the setting and hint at the storyline.

Location Scout

 I've been looking at locations which would suit with my plot synopsis, that I could use to introduce the setting in my opening. I want an abandoned, derelict and run down look, which this location seems to fit well. 

 

 

Inspiration for my Opening Sequence

This contains the main components that I want to include in my opening scene, the narration and setting is what I would like to recreate and I really like the mood and atmosphere which we feel due to the combination of the music and narration. The main character is introduced which I also intend to do but not a lot of the storyline or plot is given away.

Plot Synopsis

My plot idea is to have a future set film, in a fantasy world where there has been an event which has taken out most of the population. For the beginning I would like to do lots of establishing shots to get a strong sense of setting and then introduce the main character with either narration or a monologue.

Opening Sequence Planning - Content

Diamond 9

What I think is important to include:
I chose to put creativity as most important because the openings that interest me most in films have to be different and that is what makes people watch on. Introducing characters and setting is always fundamental to openings but doing this in an unusual way is what makes an opening stand out to others. I put ensure you audience gets it at the bottom because if you explained the whole story in the opening 2 minutes nobody would watch till the end. There has to be some confusion to intrigue a viewer into watching on.




What the exam board thinks is important to include:
I thought use a variety of camera angles would be more important to the examiner because it shows a level of skill and thought to filming. I moved ensure your audience gets it higher as well because that can demonstrate a well thought and planned plot and showing where the storyline is going. Demonstrating creativity was a lot lower as this would be less important as long as you shown certain skills. Use dialogue is at the bottom because there doesn't have to be any for the opening to be good  and at a non-professional level dialogue can lower the quality of the end result.