Editing

After we had gathered all of the footage that we needed, we began the editing stage of our project.

The first scene that we needed to edit was the shooting scene. As we had gathered several different angles, we were able to compile these shots to make the scene more interesting. We had previously recorded a voice-over which we would play during this scene, so we used the close up shot so that the audience knows who is talking. We also recorded a gunshot sound using audacity to play at the end of the close-up shot on the gun. We used a black & white effect on this scene- as the scene shows someone being killed, and black connotes death. Then at the end of the scene, we added a video transition so the gun close-up dips to black, which allows a smoother transition to the title of the film coming onto the screen.

The title 'Vengeance' is in capitals and is coloured white and red. After the title, we were inspired by other Quentin Tarantino films such as 'Kill Bill' and we added another title saying 'Chapter One- Deal with the Devil'. We felt this added another aspect to the film and would intrigue the audience. This title also lead onto the next scene of our opening sequence.

This next scene that we edited was the interview scene between Mickey and DCI Bull. At the start of this scene we added a video transition, dipping to white to signify the start of a new scene. We had filmed from 3 different angles, so we had a variety of shots to use while the interview was taking place. We were able to use the shots we had to make the interview seem like a back-and-forth conversation, using hand held close-ups during the more important parts of the conversation; such as Mickey agreeing to bring Tony Gonzalez down.

The next scene was relatively simple to edit as it was a few shots of Tony while a voice-over that we had previously recorded played over the video. So, we cut the shots to appropriate times to fit the length of the voice-over.

Now we had to edit the walking scene. This scene began with an establishing shot, introducing the audience to the setting. Next we had a shot panning from left to right following the 3 characters. After that shot we added each individual close-up, adding titles with the actors' names. Finally we added a wide shot with the 3 characters walking off into the distance. We also added a video transition, dipping to black at the end of this scene. We had previously recorded the song to be played over this scene- '99 Problems' by Jay-Z- using audacity. So, we deleted the sound to each clip and replaced it with this song. We also decided that it would be more authentic to 'Reservoir Dogs' if this walking scene was in slow motion, so we reduced the speed on each clip to 60%.

We added another title saying '20 minutes later'. This idea was also insipred by 'Reservoir Dogs', as in that film the audience does not actually see the job take place, but the aftermath of the events. So, this lead to our next scene, 20 minutes after the supposed 'drug raid' had taken place.

We had filmed quite a few different shots in this scene, so we had a large choice of which shots suited the scene best. We assembled the different clips so that the audience saw the setting and the characters from different angles, and at the end of the scene we added a final video transition, dipping to white.

We checked that all of the clips were suitable lengths throughout our opening sequence, and also that the audience would get a good idea of the storyline. Once we had done this, our opening sequence was finished and ready to be exported.

Production

After planning and making decisions on what we needed to film, we began production on our opening sequence.

SCENE 1

Our first filming scene was the ending of the film but we decided to use it as the beginning to drag audience straight in. It showed Mickey (Chris) sat on the floor wearing a suit and looking exhausted and wounded, it also showed a hand holding a gun pointing straight at him. This creates an intriguing opening shot and makes the audience want to know who is holding the gun. The scene includes many different camera shots looking at the gun and Mickey, it then shows Mickey close up. There is then a voice over by Mickey saying 'They say your whole life flashes before your eyes(pause) well thats bollocks' then it cuts straight to a close up of the gun. The holder of the gun then pulls the trigger, there is then a gunshot sound and then the title of the film- 'Vengeance' flashes onto the screen. We feel this is a very intriguing start to the opening sequence. It puts the audience on the edge of their seats.

SCENE 2

The next scene was an interview between Mickey and DCI Bull (Tom). We wrote a script for this scene as quite a long conversation takes place. The interview consisted of DCI Bull aggressively interrogating Mickey and then making him a proposition. This was that Mickey would get in contact with wanted criminal Tony Gonzalez and offer his and Bull's services in an upcoming Job. Bull also explained that he would go undercover to bring Tony down. We filmed from two different set angles- one over Mickey's shoulder looking at Bull and the other looking over Bull's shoulder at Mickey. These angles were used so that when the film was edited, we had a varied amount of shots that we could use in this scene. Also, this exchange of shots is particularly effective when a conversation is taking place. We also decided that it would be useful if Andy also filmed the scene hand-held, enabling him to get close-ups of each character in important parts of the conversation, adding another aspect to the scene.

SCENE 3

The next scene was filming Tony(Andy) while he waited for Mickey and Bull to arrive for the job. There would be no dialogue in this scene, as we would use a voice-over with Tony explaining who he was and his background. So, we filmed from several angles- the first being a shot panning from Tony's shoes to his head. The next would be a mid-shot, before finally we would film a close-up of Tony at the end of the scene with him looking into the camera. We felt these would be effective shots as they help introduce Tony into the story.

SCENE 4

Our next section of filming consisted of a walking scene introducing the actors. We filmed this scene from several angles including an establishing shot, two mid shots and importantly three close-ups of the three characters. Mickey and DCI Bull are wearing suits and sunglasses- much like some of the characters in 'Reservoir Dogs'- whilst Tony is wearing casual clothes to distinguish himself from Mickey and Bull. This scene was inspired by the opening scene of the Quentin Tarantino film 'Reservoir Dogs'.

SCENE 5

Finally, after filming this scene we moved on to the last scene of our opening sequence. This scene was set 20 minutes after the 'Job' had taken place and it consisted of Mickey and Tony bumping into each other in a back alley and having a conversation about the events that had just taken place. We used a number of different shots during this scene- a mid shot, a close up and mid/long shots from different angles for the bulk of the conversation.

Planning

We considered many different things when we were coming up with initial ideas. Inspired by the walking scene on the film Resevoir Dogs and gangster films in general, we wanted to make something similar.

Firstly, on the walking scene in Resevoir Dogs we thought that the song in the background fitted in very well with the genre. We wanted something that made as much an impact on our opening sequence, and so finding the right song took up more time than anything else. We researched many songs that were suitable for a gangster type film and Bankrobber by The Clash was the first song we all agreed on. This was because it was very relaxed, similar to the background song to the Resevoir Dogs scene. We eventually decided that the song wasn't suited to our idea because it was quite a Reggae style song and a bit too relaxed for a gangster film as we wanted something that sent a message that the gangsters in our film were ready for action. After this, we carried on researching different songs and the next one we liked was Misirlou by Dick Dale, which infamously featured in gangster film Pulp Fiction. Although we did not use this track as we felt it would have been too predictable. So, we finally decided on 99 Problems by Jay-Z as we felt that this was a track that would insinuate toughness within the characters when played during the walking scene.

We looked at a few video clips to research good opening scenes to gangster films.
The first was the clip that we based our opening scene on- the walking scene from the film 'Reservoir Dogs'. We thought the slow motion walk fetaured in this clip was a very effective and entertaining opening scene, and that is why we have based our opening scene on it.



This is another example- the Guy Ritchie film 'Snatch'. This opening scene also gave our group good ideas, as we liked the way that each character was introduced. Also, this opening sequence goes straight into action and we liked the thought of our film opening with a very dramatic scene.



We have made a storyboard to show the different stages of our film. This shows the different camera shots and scenes in our opening sequence.

Storyboard

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AS Group 20

AS Group 20