RESEARCH: LES BLEUS DE RAMVILLE

I have looked at the opening titles of the film Les Bleus De Ramville for inspiration for my own opening sequence for a film. I have been able to note specific techniques used within the sequence including shot types and editing software that I could use to recreate a similar shot.

1) mid shot from inside locker

This mid shot brings the focus for the audience on the persons torso featured within the shot. The restricted view where the locker is seen helps the audience to focus on something specific. Creating a shot within a locker is something that would be associated with hockey; it is a look at something personal and behind the scenes drawing attention to the fact that the audience is being introduced to the lead up the hockey game.  The shot would work well to invite the audience to share in a personal experience and is something that I could incorporate into my own opening sequence. It could be done by using a fake locker that is open at the back so as to manipulate the shot in more detail.

2) tracking shot with mask

The images above display how this shot makes use of lighting to create drama and tension. The mask has fierce and dangerous tones and suggests violence and safety issues. The tracking shot helps to reveal more light gradually. As the light flashes onto the mask the audio works along side it as the sound of  hockey puck empathizes the sudden change in lighting. Use of the audio with a personal aspect of hockey creates a very vivid experience for the audience. The font is clear and positioned appropriately. The colour tone to the image is dark at first complimenting the theme of danger and violence. When the light flashes on it becomes warmer as the camera tracks along to show blurred outlines of hockey players in the changing room. The red of the shirt worn by the hockey player also assists in signalling danger. This would be a good shot for me to recreate in my own filming as it creates a sense of drama and uses effective lighting that could be recreated with the use of lighting at various angles.

3) Old film footage 

The use of this old film footage creates more reference to ice hockey. The shot suggests the history of hockey and reinforces the key theme of the film. It is an effective way of showing that hockey has background. The shot can be identified as old film footage as it has a glow and the quality appears blurred and less colourful. I could recreate this shot to create historical reference for my sequence by editing a shot to appear blurred and discoloured. 

4) istopmotion shot

In this high angle shot/ birds eye view angle shot the audience looks above this plan of the hockey rink. The circles and crosses are seen to move demonstrating tactics of the team. This demonstrates again the lead up to a hockey match and presents a more detailed personal account of what occurs before or leading up to a match. To recreate something similar to this i would make use of the software istopmotion which enables me to take various images that can turn into a moving animation through the process of onion cutting.

5) hockey puck drops shot

This very low angle shot presents the audience with the feel for the action of the game. The puck is seen to drop into the center of the screen. Where the puck covers the camera there is a cut to another scene. This transition creates drama and helps the audience to feel that they are part of this drama and action. This could be a helpful and effective way of creating action or drama in my opening sequence and a way of cutting to another shot. To recreate this I would have to consider how to fix my camera in this low angle shot where the lens would face upwards. If something were to drop on the camera it would have to be something that would not damage it. The sound effect used as it drops create emphasis on the sound of the puck that is heard throughout.

 6) Tilt pan shot

 

This tilt pan is effective as the eye of the camera tilts down to reveal various lights. The visuals work well with the audio as both create drama and tension. The puck sound occurs to introduce the shot and simultaneously the number on the board "14" changes to "13" again creating suspense. The lights are very vivid and eye catching which emphasizes the timing and suspense of a match.

 7) Old Photos 

In this shot the lighting enables the audience to see old photographs. This creates a sense of drama as only the photos are highlighted and the theme is enforced once again as there is a sense of history to the sport. This is a type of shot I would recreate as it assists in developing the plot and theme of the film. I would recreate this shot by using photos or if I wish to establish a sense of history I could use old photos or edit photos in a way that they appear dated. 

8) Transition

In this series of shot we can see a reaction from the audience who stand to celebrate and whilst doing so gradually cover the camera. This creates a blackout which creates a transition to the next shot. In these shots the black background transitions into a male wearing a black coat or jacket. This is very effective as it keeps the flow of the shots running smoothly. The fast pace of the shots is reflected in this and thus interests the audience. I would like to replicate this sort of effect and would do this by placing an object in front of the camera that would match with another object that would be used in the following shot. 

 9) Title of the film

In this shot the colours used appear gradually and the title of  the film appears to be drawn or painted on to the surface. This type of shot could be replicated with software such as istopmotion where the onion effect will allow me to create a similar effect where colour gradually spreads over a surface.