Re-making the title sequence of The Breakfast Club

Aim: we aim to reproduce and recreate the title sequence of The Breakfast Club.

Props we'll use:

• Basket-case: dark clothing
• Athlete: sports coat, trainers
• Princess: earrings, watch, gloves, bag
• Criminal: black clothing, sunglasses
• Brain: hat, puffer jacket, glasses(masking tape), books

Planning decisions:
Filming: 9:00am-10:00am
We aren't going to copy the original Breakfast Club, but we've decided to introduce the settings, by using a variety of shots showing the interior and exterior of the school. We've decided to cut out the scene with the teacher, as we want to focus on portraying the 5 different stereotypes; The Brain, The Princess, The Basket-Case, The Criminal and The Athlete.

Editing: 10:00am-12:00pm
We are going to use Final Cut Pro to edit our opening. We want to show the titles on a black screen with yellow/orange writing, paying homage to the original opening.

Storyboard:

The 'basket-case' will be shot with long shots at high angle so that she can appear to be timid and isolated

The 'Criminal' will be shot close up and at a low angle as he is portrayed as intimidating

The 'Athlete' will be shot at a high angle. Although he is the head of the the football team, he is still seen as inferior by the criminal.

We are going to film the 'Princess' at low angles to show her sense of authority.

The 'brain' is going to be shot at a high angle to make him look small and inferior

Pictures and updates to show your group planning: 
Locations:

• Cafeteria
• Library
• Hallway
• Front of the school

Music:
'Don't You (forget about me)' by Simple Minds, as this is the iconic music linked to The Breakfast Club

Research: Analysis of mean girls

Analysis: Mean Girls 2

Extension Activity, Individual Post - Watching Documentary.

(AS MEDIA STUDIES - EXTENSION EXERCISE)

Watching Documentary on Film Openings. 

1. What does Thomas Sutcliffe mean when he says "Films need to seduce their audience into long term commitment. While there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible"

-  Thomas Sutcliffe tried to express what he meant through the quote of "Sam Fuller", who is a writer and director. Sam Fuller states that "if your first page of the book doesn't give satisfy the audience, you should throw the damn book in the trash." Ultimately meaning that in order to gain the audience's attention you must grab the audiences attention at the very beginning of the film and that's what film makers are trying to achieve today.

2. According to Director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of "instant arousal"?

- The risks of instant arousal, according to Director Jean Jacques Beineix is that you must nurse your audience into their desires of the movie, accept to wait and let the sanctification grown. If you start strong, you'll have the problem of what's going to happen next, is it going to be strong as the beginning?

3. Explain why "a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet, and at the same time make sure that it doesn't know too little" 

- This ultimately emphasises that as a film maker you must draw the rules up for audiences engagement to the film, the crowd is full of anxiety and you must make the relationship of the audience and the film last but not give away everything but still make them wanting to carry on with the film to discover more.

4. What does critic Stanley Kauffmann describe as the classic opening? Why does this work?

- Critic Stanley Kauffmann describe a Classic opening as "an establishing shot - New York - filmed from East side of New York, cross into a shot of a building, camera looks up to buliding, goes through the window, pass the reception desk". You have been told by this simple classic opening process the location, occupation of the hero and everything is in place. Therefore making it work well.

5. Why is Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film Seven so effective? 

- Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film Seven was effective because the sequence stimulated and hit the audience, the title sequence also foreshadows and told the story of the film making it effective.

6. What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film A touch of evil? What did universal studios do to it ? Why?

- What Orson Welles wanted to achieve with his opening, A Touch of Evil is making the audience head straight into the film with no credits, title or production company logo. This upset the production studios and they took action.

Individual Xmas Homework - Task 20.

Individual Post, Analysing Camera, Editing & Sound - Task 15.

Camera (shot distances, shot angles/positions & movements).

• Tracking - During the title sequence, the viewers are introduced to one of the main characters which is Jack Wyler who is the also known as the popular jock. We are introduced to him, through the use of the track camera shot movement, we first see him get out of his car and is only shown his feet, then as the scene progresses. The camera is following (track movement) his footsteps into the school hallway, ultimately once he reaches his destination, which is a wall of fame for him with his portrait on the wall in the school. The camera gradually moves upwards, finally revealing who we are introduced to. Because of the track shot movement, it emphasises the concept that the character we are about to be introduced to is popular, as the camera is moving along following the moving subject, it's almost as if the viewers are  like the un-popular people in school "following" him. It also presents the "popularity" theme, as we are started from looking his feet then gradually upwards to his face, it portrays the idea that we are looking up to him, revealing that he is a superior and popular character in the movie.      

                         

       

• Extreme close up & low angle - A shot distance of extreme close up as well as a shot position is both used when the perfect pretty girl is introduced, also known as Amanda Becker. When we are introduced to the perfect girl, the camera angle is positioned at a low angle but looking up at the subject. This gives the impression that the subject (in this case the perfect girl) is portrayed to be significant and angelic, towards the nerdy boys who are starring at her walk down the stairs. Due to the camera being at a low level and pointing up to a high angle, It reveals that because she's so perfect, she's at a more dominant hierarchy compared to the boys, whereas they are at a lower position. The extreme close up is also used in this scene, to focus on her face, which indicates the idea of beauty, and being the "perfect girl" in the movie.  

     

• Long shot & three shot - The long shot as well as three shot is used when the popular mean girls are introduced into the scene. Mainly, "Priscilla" the main mean girl and her two friends. The long shot is used when they are walking through the hallways and pushing everyone out of their way, the use of the long shot allows the viewer the see the backgrounds and everyone in the scene, it is used however when the mean girls are introduced to reveal the people in the background's reactions and facial expressions. The background people's reactions are immediately negative and they look intimidated, this implies that we can see straight away that these girl's are the "mean popular girls", the long shot also allows us to see the girl's body language, which is walking through the hall way very boldly and strong giving the impression that they think they're better than everyone. The three shot is used, to fit the three mean girls into the shot to show that they're the mean girls of the school, we can see immediately that "Priscilla" is centred in the middle which shows she's the dominant one out of the three.   

                                 

    

Editing.

• Sound bridge - A sound bridge is a editing technique where the sound is used as an editing device to link the two scenes together. This would be the scene where Jake finishes off walking through the hall way being greeted by loads of girl's and grabbing their attention, to the viewers being introduced to the character Ricky Lipman who's referred as the "The obsessed best friend". The sound bridge immediately links the two scenes together through the music. This editing technique, transferred the popular jock guy scene to the more unpopular drama kid / obsessed best friend, this sudden sound bridge ultimately was used to demonstrate the contrast between the two characters. As these two male individuals will be the one who ends up falling in love with the same girl, therefore by showing the contrast between the two character's shows their differences. We see Jake Wylder walk down the hall way with a lot of attention, however when we see Ricky walk down the hallway, no one seems to care and the background of people are doing their own thing without paying attention. Which is a contrast to Jake's popularity. This editing technique, somehow linked the two scene's together with the use of sound, without cutting it straight to introduce each character separately. 

• Cross cut - The cross cut is used during the scene of the setting at the front of the school, with majority of the popular groups such as the popular cheer leaders and jocks shown and the scene of the " unpopular pretty ugly girl " Janey Briggs and her younger brother who is also portrayed as unpopular, Mitch Briggs "The Desperate Virgin" in the car with their father, on their way to school. The cross cut editing occurs to take the viewers from one situation to another, usually back and fourth to suggest that the two scenes are linked. We first see the high school, then the sister and brother in the car, then back to high school. This cross cut could ultimately portray although it is linked, as it show's them on their way to school and then the school, they're completely different to what the school is showing. As the school scene, is showing a bunch of popular cheerleaders and jocks walking around and doing their cheers, then back to the scene of the siblings being different from the usual cheer leaders and jocks. It portrays the contrast between the two different situations even though they're linked.

Sound.

• Accent - An accent is in which an actor/actress speaks may be an important aspect of the regional identity and may also form an idea of a stereotype. This is shown through the scene of where Priscilla the popular mean girl walks over to her previous boyfriend Jake the popular jock guy, and says " Jake I need to T to the power of 4 Y" Jake responds in a confuse manner. Then she states that it means "Time to talk to you" Because of how she's presented in the movie, being blonde, popular and mean it could be a stereotype of her thinking she makes sense, however to everyone it doesn't. As blondes are portrayed to be bimbo's and majority of the times being clueless, this could be a stereotype of her being the blonde bimbo. 

• Synchronous sound - The use of synchronous sound is used in the scene where Rebecca Becker, the perfect pretty girl is introduced. When she's walking down the stairs, there is an immediate gentle harmony synchronising with her movement as she walks down. The synchronous sound is only played when she's appeared in the scene. The sound is a gentle soft melody which could be matching to her personality or appearance, her being angelic and perfect. 

• Dialogue - There is a lot of dialogue used in this movie, however the main dialogue between two characters which stands out for me, to reveal something about the characters representation is the scene between The pretty ugly girl and her obsessed best friend who's clearly in love with her. His dialogue, he says exactly how he feels straight to her face without feeling nervous or embarrassed, and she blocks out whenever he says anything in regards to liking her. It reveals that he's clearly said this repeatedly to her and she's obviously heard it many times to the point where it's completely casual and normal to her, or she blocks it out without responding to him pouring out his feelings or his love for her. It show's that she's not into him or see him in that way. 

Mise En Scene.

• Clothing - The clothing is so important in this movie, as each character uses their clothing to represent their social class / popularity, role in the high school and aspect of their culture/regional identity. For instance, the popular boys are mainly in the Jock uniforms/ varsity jackets, popular mean girls dressed all in different shades of pink, other popular girls being dressed in their cheerleading uniforms, nerdy/geeky boys are dressed preppy in smart/formal shirts sweaters tailored trousers and glasses. The mise en scene of clothing is extremely crucial in this high school movie, as each character uses their clothing to represent what group they're associated in and their popularity. It also stereotypes each teenage groups based on their clothing, as at the start the teacher separates and divides the students into particular groups based on their appearance and clothing. 

• Setting - Mainly in the title sequence, the setting is at the high school. The high school being the main setting location, as that's where everything occurs and how the characters are introduced. Due to the block of lockers in the hall ways, it immediately suggests that this is an American high school, as majority of school's in the US has blocks of lockers like that, the front of high school also gives the impression of a typical american high school because of how the building is built. 

• Props - A prop is the object included within the set to help portray the character's characteristics and personality. The unpopular ugly pretty girl is seen reading a book, which demonstrates that she's a bookworm and only into her books, the popular girls are carrying handbags instead of back pack's like everyone else in school which gives the idea that they're more into their appearance and style instead of their education at school, the jocks are shown with footballs in their hands show's their athletic and committed to the school's football team, the nerds/geeks are shown with various school supplies and materials in their pockets such as rulers, pens and pencils show's that their committed to school work and how prepared they are to learn. 

 

Research: Analysis of Mean Girls (task 15)

Camera:

A high angle of Cady's parents is used at the beginning of the sequence. This make them seems intimidating. Even though Cady is 16, they're treating her as if she was 5, 'you can ask one of the big kids where to do that,'  They both come across as very protective parents, but the audience doesn't know why- yet. Following, is a low angle of Cady, making her seem vulnerable, which perhaps she is, as they've just recently moved from South Africa to America.

Handheld tracking is used when Cady is entering the school grounds. This makes the surroundings seem busy. It brings the audience into the school setting, and makes them have a similar feeling to Cady.

Over the shoulder shots are used when Cady is introducing herself to her class mate. Show both Cady's and the class mate's facial expressions. These reveal a lot a bout each character, Cady seems more friendly. A low angle is used again on Cady, making her seem vulnerable in the new surroundings. She's portrayed as the 'new kid' The class mate seems rude and unfriendly. A high angle is used with her, making her seem more powerful, and perhaps intimidating.

A slight tracking long shot is used of Cady entering the cafeteria. This makes her look small compared to the room and possibly reflects on her feelings- feelings lost in a jumble of people after being used to being home schooled. The tracking shot follows her to the dining area, where she can't find a seat.

Point of view shots are also used in this scene. The audience sees different groups with spare seats at their tables reject Cady. This could make the audience connect with Cady more and feel sorry for her, as the other students at the school are giving her a hard time on her first day, as she 'had a lot of friends in Africa... but none in Evanston' 

Editing:

A montage of photographs of Cady and her family in South Africa are shown when Cady is revealing information about herself. This, along with the voice over,the montage allows the audience to connect with Cady.

Match cuts are used as Cady is walking onto the school grounds, from mid-shots of her to point of view shots overlooking the different social groups at the school. The combination of shots allows the audience to relate to Cady as she's walking through the school grounds. The use of these shots make it clearer to the audience about Cady's first impressions of an American high school. She feels enclosed and lost in the jumble of new people.

An ellipsis is used when Cady is being told off by various teacher for doing innocent things to her looking for a seat in the cafeteria. It specifically highlight Cady's most memorable moments of her first day at school, which seem to be negative. This could tell the audience about Cady's attitude towards starting at an American public school. In some way, it foreshadows Cady's negative behaviour expressed later during the film.

A slight fade in is used when Cady is seen in the bathroom cubicle. It fades from the door of the cubicle through into the cubicle, focussing on Cady. This emphasises her isolation and makes the audience feel empathetic towards her, as she was unable to find a seat in the cafeteria and had to eat her lunch in the bathroom.















Sound:

Twinkly sounds, followed by horns are heard at the beginning of the title sequence of Mean Girls, as the Paramount sequence is shown. This music is linked to the company, Paramount, which many viewers may be familiar with. The use of this music makes the audience aware of the production company for this film. Paramount is a big production company, informing the audience that Mean Girls is a high budget film.

Piano notes as Paramount Pictures, Lorne Michaels and Lindsay Lohan are credited. These are the three main companies and people involved in the movie- Paramount Pictures being the production company, Lorne Michaels being the producer and Lindsay Lohan being the principal character. The piano makes it seem that they have the highest authority.

African drums are heard when the title of the movie is revealed to the audience. This may reflect on the main character's (Cady- portrayed by Lohan) origin, which is South African. The bang of the drum is almost like an entrance for the title. A sound bridge links the title to the opening scene of Cady's parents talking (diegetic sound)

In the same scene, non-digetic sounds are also heard- the African drums. This emphasises the origin of this family and makes this scene, Cady's first day at a new school, seem more personal.

Cady's voice over is heard, allowing this character to connect with the audience. It's almost like she's talking to her friends.This voice over gives the audience some background information about the character- such as her age, 16 years old, her precious education, that she was home schooled, her parents' job, both being research zoologists, the family's past home, living in Africa for the past 12 years and the reason why they moved, because of her mum's new job.

The song 'Rip Her to Shreds' by Blondie can be heard as Cady walks away from her parents and onto he school grounds. This is also as the rest of the principal cast are credited. This songs links to the title of the movie as it talks about conflict between two friendship groups. The song may be foreshadowing Cady's experience in the school. The clip introduces some of the different stereotypical groups in the school- such as the bullies and the rebels.

Another one of Cady's voice overs is heard, reflecting on her first day of school, this one however is more like a diary entry, as she expresses the difficulties on her first day in an American high school, for example, getting in trouble for going to the bath room, for reading a head, using a green pen and having food in class.

Mise-en-scene:

When Cady mentions the geeky homeschooled students, a young girl is seen at a spelling bee. Her costume she's wearing a straight, yellow skirt, a red polo shirt, glasses and has her hair in pigtails. This is a stereotypical outfit for a geek. Her setting (the spelling bee) is an activity for bright, well educated students.

Cady mentions how some people see home schooled students as 'weirdly religious'. 5 brothers are seen wearing western clothes, jean overalls, plaid button up shirts and have a very strong Southern accent. In the background there's sacks with targets on. This setting  tells portrays a stereotypical western family.

Flashbacks of Cady and her father are seen. The setting of a South African landscape with zebras in the background give the audience an idea of Cady's past life, before she moved to America. An African man is seen holding a spear and wearing traditional African clothing. This adds an authentic feel.

Cady's classroom is a typical American classroom with single desks, tall lockers, a chalk board at the front of the classroom, a big wooden desk for the teacher. This setting makes it seem that Cady has entered a 'normal' high school, which is ironic, as the audience then finds out the drama and conflict that occurs.

Ms. Norbury is dressed as a typical teacher, in suit trousers, a cardigan, holding a satchel an a cup of coffee. Each item tells you about her character. The suit trousers tell you that she's well dressed, where the cardigan says that she also considers comfort throughout a long school day. The satchel suggests that she's a dedicated teacher and has the adequate supplies for the school day. Her cup of coffee hints that she's hardworking and relies on caffeine to be able to complete her daily work