Introducing Characters

This is a clip from the opening of a children's spy film called Stormbreaker.
Ways in which characters are introduced:
-Panning to show location. In this case emphasizes his age. we are aware that he is still in school. This also links to the ideas that he is talented as he is a spy as well as a child. Our location of the opening is also in school.

-Zoom on specific characters to show they are somehow important later on in the film

-Digetic sound. Contrast of the main character (Alex) referring to other characters in the film, to the flash back of their significance or relationship with Alex.

Ways to create suspense

Although this is not a children's film, i choose this clip because i thought it was a great example of how editing can create suspense.

The factor that i liked the most was the use of sound and jump cuts. In our preliminary task we used a jump cut in a way that was not effective. However in this clip it speeds up the action allowing a big build up. I was aware straight away that this was an action film.

Related Children's Film

This is a clip from a TV series on CBBC called M.I High. I choose this specific clip because the opening consists of fast action (running). The opening of our children's film also includes running. I think this helps create anticipation and suspense, making the audience question why the characters are running and were they are running too. This also is a good way to introduce characters plus the scene as you (the audience) are aware of their significance.

Target Audience

Our potential target audience would be aged over the age of seven. This is because the child has to be old enough to understand what is going on but also find it interesting as younger children (on an average scale) tend to find more colorful, less actions films intriguing. I would estimate our children's film as a U rating because no bad language or violence is used plus it is suitable for young children.

Digital Storyboard

first shot is over-the-shoulder shot of a teacher writing on the board to introduce the scene and the setting as well as the titles. this shot pans around the room as the teacher walks, and stops to show the three main characters. 

this shot starts from the three main character. the camera tracks round the back of the three girls. the camera will be hand held and stops beside the characters. the titles will be above the characters heads. 

the camera tracks round behind the three main characters. an over-the-shoulder shot is used then the camera zooms in when the three characters receive a text message. the camera zooms in to show the phone.

the camera zooms into the phone to show how significant the text message is.  the red light on the phone signifies danger. 

the camera then cuts to the clock, and zooms in. the clocks ticking sound will be emphasised to show how slow time is going. 

Analysis of previous student's children's films

Playdoh children's film

I like how they have used brightly coloured playdoh because its really engaging. I think its a good way of doing the titles because it captures your attention. Doing one letter at a time is more interesting than doing the whole word at once. However, because they do all of their titles in this way, its gets a bit boring by the end. To improve I think they should have come up with multiple ways of doing this, so it would have been different and more interesting. I think the music that they used was good because it was upbeat. I think it was a suitable opening for a children's film because it was colourful and from the music you could tell it would be a happy film.

Olde England storybook film

I like how this opening uses a book to tell the story because it introduces the film well. I also like the way they change the screens into different settings by scrolling because it makes it more interesting and unusual compared to other films. I think the sounds they have used near the end of their opening really suit the type of film it is. I think it is well suited for children to watch because its engaging and interesting to watch as its full of action. I think the beginning is a little slow because not much is happening, but it quickly moves onto some action so I don't think children would get bored. I think the fighting scene was well filmed because it isn't prolonged and I wouldn't consider it to be too violent, so it would be classified as a children's film fine. I liked this film opening because the camera work was done well I could tell that they had planned it thoroughly. The only thing I would critisise is that the titles run across the screen too quickly and it is hard to read which person carried out what job.

'Be Careful What You Wish For' film opening
I liked this film opening because it puts across an important message for children. The girl in the videa has lots of expensive things like a laptop and hair straighteners, so I think the film will go on about how you shouldn't take things for granted and having three wishes is a good way of telling children this. This opening is clear and you can tell what is going to happen which will be suitable for children. I think children would like it because films that have wishes and magic or typically aimed at them. Another strength is how they have added the titles, compared to other films I watched from previous students, they are really clear to read, and you can clearly see who did which job in order to complete this film opening.  

Shots/props used in spy films

The programme MI High was where we got our ideas for a spy film from. In this opening it uses various shots which are typical for a spy film, for example:
- begins with a character running, it is fast paced and tracks her running away from someone.
- Mid shots are used to introduce the main character
- Close ups are used to show who the other man was, and all the children in the class
- Over the shoulder shots are used for important conversations, to make the audience feel as if we are part of it
- When more important information is given the camera uses close ups


Props:
- To show that the girl is a geek, she is wearing glasses to suggest that she is clever. Her school uniform is worn properly compared to other students so this further shows she's a geek as she follows school rules.
- The pencil is an important prop, it is her gadget in the film to show that she is needed, this is something that we will need for our film when we make it.
- The teacher is wearing a suit to show that he is professional, and he also carries files which suggests that he has responsibility. As we have a teacher in the opening of our film, we may need to think about what he will be wearing.
- The other children have props such as lipgloss, hats and gum to show that they are naughty and don't respect school rules, which makes the other character stand out more and she is different. The girl wearing lipgloss and wearing big gold earings reading the magazine, shows that she doesn't really want to be at school and that she doesn't care. For our children's film opening we will need to think about the use of props carefully as it represents what the character is like.