Blue velvet

The opening sequence of blue velvet starts with violins playing which is relaxing and calm to start with in contrast with nearer the end of the opening sequence it gets louder which could show foreshadowing of the dangers to come. The title then dissolves into a downwards pan. a tilt shot then reveals a near cloudless blue sky, white picket fence and red roses. The red roses are very significant as the colour red symbolizes danger, death and blood and also roses portray imagery of loss or a funeral that will occur. The music in which is played is the song blue velvet. the roses then dissolve into a collection of shots of typical American suburb life.

In the next scene, it is a sunny day but there is a man who is watering his garden but this then cuts to his wife watching a crime show on television which is ironic. there is the quick cuts between the man untanglin his hose, the knot in the hose and the water valve this raises tention then the man falls to the ground and suspeted heart attack.  All these shots are slightly unfocused and blurry and lit in a very soft way. Making them seem more like memories than actual places and events. we then see a wide shot of the man on the ground and the dog trying to bite the stream and a small child coming to see what was happening.

Next, we see hundreds of beetles fighting underneath the ground whilst the background music fades away and changes into a disturbing drone. this builds to a crescendo. the shots are starkly lit and are full of erratic movement which unsettles watchers and gives them a feeling of disgust.

In the rest of the opening scene,the town is portrayed as a very safe town like with the markings on the road for the children going to school and the lollypop lady helping them get to the other side. There is also an old fire engine that drives past too showing irony as the man is stood right on the edge of the truck as it is driving which isn't safe so the image contradicts itself.

This sequence really sets the mood for the rest of the film.  the message is that no matter what the surface shows there is always a darker, more sinister side to perfect things. The contrast in lighting between the underworld of the grass and suburbia. Soft and sunny for above, dark and shadowed for the insect scene. One is innocent and happy, the other is filthy and violent. Both co-exist but are completely unaware of each other.

Casting
Femme Fatal- Jessica hall
Detective- Fortune sibanda
Assistant- Ellesse darkes

Location- 
landau forte academy auditorium
we chose this location as its a large space and we can adjust lighting to suit the scene even before editing.

Get props actors together and prepare for filming.
Friday 21st- practice filming 10am
final filming- Monday 24th
Tuesday- editing
final editing
evaluate
Get props actors together and prepare for filming.

rous. Over the years the detective has always been represented in a familiar way for the audience to recognise. 2 films i have analysed are 'Se7en' and 'The Maltese Falcon' which are both film noirs and include a main detective role. Even though the time periods are different and you can tell more previous detectives are slightly more modern, the main attire is still the same. 'Se7en' has challenged the roles of the detective however because they have used a different ethnicity compared to a typical white ethnic man.

The femme fatal
The Femme fatal is a manipulative character who traps males into a web reeling them in with her beauty and sweet talk. the Femme fatal is like a black widow which is a female spider which eats the male their a very controlling species and the females are in control. women were housewives and home makers before but now they have changed to become strong and independent women. within being strong their power came across cunning and clever hiding there criminality and deceiving the detectives. the Femme fatal demonstrates she is a strong and independent woman and are very intelligent to out smart the detective by making him believe shes innocent and making herself out to be something else. She always makes herself very desirable so that all the males want to help her in the end and show off to her.

Femme Fatals also have very negative characteristics as they use their beauty to be sly and use the detectives to get help money and attention and to make them believe in everything she says. The way they present themselves when accompanied by the male is very acted and fake. They seduce and draws in the male to feel sorry for her and so he falls for her stupidly.
These women are doomed because film in the 1940s had to reinforce the status quo. at the end of the Maltese falcon the women goes to jail the Femme fatal can only fool for a certain amount of time before their caught out.




The detective 
The detective have a down fall We used a variety of conventions to suit our film noir genre. We went with the stereotypical male detective and femme fatale. We chose their costumes to fit the conventions of a film noir; the detective wore a suit and hat and the femme fatale wore a long fur coat a. i analysed  'Se7en' and 'The Maltese Falcon' both film noirs but Even though the time periods are different the main attire is still the same. 'Se7en' has challenged the roles of the detective however because they have used a different ethnicity compared to a typical white ethnic man. 

research into AS

I looked at opening sequences that were filmed by previous as students this helped me to gain ideas of whats expected and what i could possibly produce. this opening sequence is a great example and hard to fault.

In general lighting is important if you film in in the dark you won't be able to see the production sows need to make sure there is another light for example if you film in a dark alley you need some sort of lighting like a lamppost unless you have specialised equipment. another point is you need to make sure your lighting fits the codes and conventions of your genre.

With your camera angles you need to make sure you don't break the 180 degree rule as this confuses the audience.

Film Noir screenplay

Trahison
Screenplay by Jessica Hall and ellesse Darkes

FADE IN

INT.  PARIS/DETECTIVES OFFICE – MID-DAY

Establishing shot of the Eiffel tower.

Detective walks in with a green trench coat a fedora on rolling a cigarette; He’s 32, with bright blue eyes.

DETECTIVE ADOLPHE:  (V.O) My name Is Adolphe riche, I’m a detective lonely and unknown to what my day holds, but today was going to be different, something was going to happen that would change my life forever. Then she walked in beautiful blonde locks and a fur coat, eyes that instantly connected with mine. That’s when I knew things were going to change; but was I blinded by beauty? Or was she really something special?

We’re looking down at a desk from overhead. Adolphe welcomes The lady in and sits her down.

DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: Why do you ask for my assistance sweetheart and may I ask your name.

(he places a cigarette between his lips and lights it up.

CLARA: my names Clara and I’m so sorry to come without notice but I’m in desperation for someone with your expertise. My husband has been missing …

Clara starts to cry

DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: Is there anything I should know about your husband.

CLARA: I think he was having an affair with another man. I found hotel receipts….

She passes him the receipts

He’s been sharing a room with his business partner or shall I say secret lover. I can’t believe he would do this to me we were so happy. I was happy. 

DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: leave it to me doll face, I will help you in every way I can. Meet me at the trahison restraunt at 5pm tomorrow we were continue business their call me if you know me sweetheart.

He slides a business card across to her she touches his hand as she takes the card.

CLARA: Thank you handsome.

She walks away and the sound of her heels begins to fade.

Phone rings.

Detective Adoplphe: Hello, detective Adolphe here, George, ezura is dead! I’ll be there in 10 minutes.

EXT. HOTEL ALLEYWAY. NIGHT

Detective Adoplphe walks down the alleyway of a crime scene to see a man lying dead underneath a collection of bin bags. An over shoulder shot  shows him taking a look at the body, shot reverse shot shots  his reaction and a zoomed in image of the victims face.

Detective Phillip is a British male who wears a long navy coat with short brown hair , combed back. He has been assigned to be Adolphe’s sidekick and to train him whilst Phillip’s in training.

Phillip: we have a young male age 27 shot and left at this crime scene he is married to a lady names Clara Arnold.

Detective Adolphe: she was the lady that came in to request our help heart as pure as snow

Phillip: You’re the head of detectives your suppost to think not feel. Is there anything you want to tell me?

Detective Adolphe: Your not suggesting I’m involved with that woman in anyway are you?

Phillip looks at Adolphe and the tension is shown through their eyes.

November feedback

You need to add posts regularly.

You are working at level 2 for research and planning and need to apply yourself fully to achieve your potential.

To reach level you must provide a;

Script

Storyboard

Analysis of 4 opening sequences

Targets for November

Film

Risk assessment

Edit

Consider sound and titles to add meaning and atmosphere

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