ResearchAction Films

Film StudiesOpening Credits

● Title Card/Graphic for the Distributor, Miramax● Dictionary definition of “pulp”

o To foreshadow the events of the movie

● Scene of a couple at a diner, which end up staging a robbery of said dinero The scene starts out as an ordinary couple, but listening to their conversation, the viewer realizes that the featured

couple have robbed many places before, and their hopes for future escapades. This gives the viewer insight into the characters’ minds, as well as the plot.

● Frame freezes as couple begins the robbery, and the title card for the distributor appears● Title cards for the Production Companies and Director’s name ● Screen goes black, and the title scrolls onto the screen● The title shrinks, and then the title cards begin (in order)● Top Cast (individually), “And” actor, supporting cast, casting

directors, music supervisors, costume designer, production designer, editor, director of photography, co-executive producers, executive producers, writers of the story, and producero The opening sequence did not finish with the director’s name

Pulp Fiction

● Movie opens with a blast of exciting music and moves right into action● Generally long opening sequence (approximately 10 minutes) before any title cards● High paced music in the opening leads to James Bond being shot and falling into a body of

water which transitions into the opening credits● Camera follows the body in a cartoon like sequence through the water while the title cards

appear above the water● The music is now calming and as the camera moves through the water,

a fantasy like sequence of events occur in a very artistic manner● As the credits continue, there are many symmetrical black and white

patterns forming● A clear theme of blood is used to most likely get the message across that James Bond is in

imminent danger● The opening sequence ends with the camera zooming into James Bond’s eye and this leading

to the credits for the director

Skyfall

● Starts off with many scenes of pans and tilts following a motorcycle gang reach a destination. Afterwards the title cards of 3 studios/distribution companies presents and a Gary Fleder Film appears.

● A lot of over the shoulder shots and point of view shots as some of the key gang members talk and stare in a beat down place and go through many secret entrances and enter a meth lab.

● A lot of focused shots on one of the gang members make it appear that he is different - he’s a detective undercover. This is the main character (Jason Statham).

● There is suspenseful build-up background music.● Suspense is created with some over the shoulder shots of some policemen surrounding

this place of interest. As the police enter shots fire like crazy and mad action takes over. The gang members learn that the man was under cover. Music picks up.Two of the key members leave with the stash in a car and the detective follows them on a bike.

● The detective catches them and the cops surround. One of criminals pulls a gun butdoesn’t shoot, the detective is hesistent to shoot, but the the cops aren’t. The man falls

dead. Close-ups of the detective’s scarred face is followed by the detective abandoningthe scene. Screen then fades black as the man walks towards the camera and the title appears.

● The following scenes are just of flash cuts of the man’s resignment papers from the DEA and scenic shots of a swamp with alligators. These scenes are where the rest of the title cards are put in front of. The rock song “I Got Mine” by the Black Keys play. This wraps up the opening - the movie starts.

Homefront

● Usage of loud, booming, and uplifting music accentuated the opening (Heavy Crown Iggy Azalea/Ellie Goulding- http://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/1648/Kingsman-The-Secret-Service

● They used long pan takes for the first shot to open and set the tone of action.● Helicopter zooms in and sends rocketfire towards the base.● The credits are morphed from the falling debris/rocks.● They roll out with the momentum of them- must say it was very cool.● The infiltration scene truly brought in the idea of why the plot was to be based off of the

protagonist.● The credits subside for a moment to emphasize the Secret Service● The title then “booms” out bright and clear in front of the

screen with mountains/nature behind it.● The credits cut with the director as the scene changes

and the plot begins in line with building up of music.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Nearly all four of the films that each of us studied had avant-garde credit openings that actually encompassed more than simply a credit appearing out of nowhere, that is, except for the movie Homefront, that took a more simplistic approach. The other three, however, used an interesting take on the text scroll by integrating it into the scene itself. Specifically, Kingsman: The Secret Service and Skyfall both bring the audience into a whirlwind of intricate expressions of the actors and film staff that were integral to the process. That being said, these movies didn’t sacrifice action for flashiness. All four, in fact, truly set the tone for what was to come, rather than randomly showing landscapes in an arbitrary way. The reason many of these movies are successful is their ability to keep the audience captivated from start to end. Especially through Pulp Fiction, that begins a web of lies, deception, and civil horror from the moment the film begins and wraps the same initial story up as a nod to the opening. Each of these films include a guarantee that the best is yet to come, in that, they don’t come on too strong, but they incept notions of a dramatic action that the watchers pine for.

Analysis of Film Studies

Mood Board

Target Audience

Questionnaire

From Helen’s Questionnaire: All three respondents preferred the plot of action films over the directors or actors. This preference for plot shows that an audience can and will appreciate a film regardless of who created it, or who is in it. Both female respondents preferred intriguing openings, which left the viewer in suspense and interested in the course of the following movie. However, the male respondent preferred a challenging, or action packed opening. Both are contrasting concepts, suggesting that men and women want different things from movies. Both females also chose superhero movies as their favorite action films, and the male chose a sci-fi movie. The female respondents shared similar views on action films.

From Salma’s Questionnaire: The two older respondents (both of different genders) both had the greatest inclination for the movie The Transporter. They both concur in the sense that they believe the opening sequence should definitely be the build up or set up to a scene or two, or possibly the entire plot of the movie. The youngest respondent, a student, thought the opening sequence should be an explosion or action right there and then. It’s obvious the different age groups have different ways of wanting to be engaged from the beginning of the movie. All three agree that plot is one of the greatest things about an action movie, while two out of 3 agree that actors are a supplement to a great action movie as well as plot. For our opening sequence, to best keep the widest scope of an audience engaged, we should focus on the opening sequence being a build-up or set-up for the plot ahead of the movie, which all agree is the most important aspect of an action movie. Possibly have a little action in the beginning as well.

Analysis of Questionnaires

From Sam’s Questionnaire: All of the respondents both young teenagers and adults felt that movies need to focus on effective plots. Additionally, they all had differing opinions on what was needed beyond that. For example, one respondent that was older wanted a car chase, while a younger respondent wanted to see funny scenes in movies. This expresses that our opening sequence must have differing aspects that can appeal to universal groups, such as generally thrilling scenes that keep everyone entertained. It will be impossible to appeal to the very specific details that everyone likes to see in movies individually.

From Kevin’s Questionnaire: The respondents that were older and employed in intellectual fields felt that it was important for the story to have a strong plot with the development of the characters and setting. The one respondent that was just a student felt that they would like to see intense action in the opening sequence. He further found actors to be what he looks for most in an action film. Our sequence should include both thrills and plot development in order to appeal to a greater scope of audiences.

Continued...

Our ideal target audience for our film will most likely be older and more sophisticated audiences. This is because our research has found that these audiences pay the closest attention to the plot of movies and not just who is famous and associated with them. Additionally, older audiences (and generally most respondents) liked opening sequences that focused around plot development. Younger audiences tended to just want in your face action. It further seemed that males were more likely to be interested in straight up violence and action. Therefore, since we will be focusing our opening sequence on plot development, due to a lack of special effect resources, we will be appealing mostly to older, female audiences. Still, a spectrum of audiences will be likely to enjoy our film as most respondents to our surveys found plot to be the most important characteristic of an action film.

Targeted Audience