When creating any film, the credit sequences are the most important part to the film opening due to it being where the "credit" is given to the workers behind the film. This can include actor, producer, writer, editor, director ect. Although all films include credit sequences, there are many different ways to apply it to your specific film. Factors such as font and speed can add to the films theme or can be done to make sure to not take away from the production being shown. 

Research

The Karate Kid (1984)

In The Karate Kid, the opening credits roll while Daniel and his mother are driving from New Jersey toCalifornia. Rather than presenting the information on the screen alone, the credits are presented during the scene, so the viewer is able to pay attention to Daniel's journey. Doing this helps catch the viewers' attention right away, so it feels like a part of the film. The credits show Daniel feeling uncomfortable and finding it difficult to adjust to his new life. This adds to the theme of change and growth. By including the credits into the action, the movie prepares the audience for Daniel's struggles and personal growth later.

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Hustle (2022)

In Hustle, the opening credits are presented as Stanley, a basketball scout, goes to a game in Spain. The credits run over images of Stanley moving through the crowd and looking at the players, keeping the focus on the action. The quick cuts of the game introduce the tone for the film and show the high energy sport of basketball. By blending the credits with the action, the film smoothy introduces its sport story without distracting from the excitement. This technique represents the film's themes of discovering talent and the challenges of the basketball world.

 Hustle - Opening Scene

Raging Bull (1980)

Raging Bull begins with simple credits in white writing on black-and-white footage of Jake LaMotta warming up in the boxing ring. The credits are simple and blend with the rough feeling of the film. But what people tend to focus on is LaMotta's movements and facial expressions in the ring. Close-ups show his physical and mental tension, which sets the tone for the film. The simple credits allow the powerful shots to stand out so that the viewer can follow the story of a troubled, concentrated boxer. 

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 Sports dramas usually tend to focus on characters overcoming challenges involving sports. They show the characters growth, obstacles, and hard work. These films usually highlight themes such as determination, teamwork, and personal growth which is learned by their sport. This post will be focused on analyzing different sport drama openings from the films, The Karate Kid (1984), Rocky (1976), and Hustle (2022). 

The Karate Kid (1984)

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In the film opening of The Karate Kid, Daniel, a teenager that moved to California and suddenly feels as if he's out of place and doesn't fit in is introduced. He becomes the target of bullies that are experienced at karate forcing him to find the way to defend himself. This leads to him meeting his mentor, Mr. Miyagi which allows Daniel to realize his journey isn't just on learning karate if not also on personal growth and overcoming personal challenges. The opening sets the tone for the film's sports drama focusing on Daniels path to confidence and strength.

The film leaves room for understanding that you can overcome challenges physically as well as mentally through hard work and the right guidance which is shown by Daniels final confidence and his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. 

Rocky (1976)

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The opening of Rocky shows Rocky Balboa, a small boxer that is making a living in Philadelphia. He's shown fighting in pretty low-level matches and demonstrates he isn't very skilled at the sport. Although he isn't the best at fighting it does show he is trying and putting a lot of heart into it. The opening highlights how humble his beginning was and is then later contradicted by is improvement and accomplishments. This scene shows his determination and room for improvement, introducing the sports drama theme of working hard to achieve greatness. It assures a journey of growth even though Rocky starts with very little. 

The takeaway to this film would be that even if you start with nothing, determination and hard work can help you achieve greatness. Rocky proves it's not about being the best if not how much work you put in and never giving up.

Hustle (2022)

Hustle - Opening Scene

For Hustle, the film opening shows the basketball scout, Stanley, which is struggling to find true talent. No player is interested on real skill and passion if not fame. However, this all changes when Stanley finds the Spanish player, Bo Cruz. Bo Cruz is pure raw talent and is exactly what Stanley's been searching for. This sets the stage for the mentor and student relationship that drives the film. The opening of this sports drama sets Stanleys passion for basketball and desire to find talent which then creates the story on mentorship and overcoming obstacles. 

This film demonstrates that hard work can truly change your life. It shows the belief in someone potential and companionship and help reach dreams. 

Overall, each film tends to set the main characters journey in a sports drama. It shows them as a weaker individual who faces tough challenges and then grows to be the bigger person. These films explore overcoming obstacles and the effect of mentor and student relationship the leads to success. 

 After many projects completed in this class, the number 1 thing I took into everyday use is how helpful planning and seating a schedule for these bigger projects is. To help myself and to be able to break it down into smaller parts and be able to work on it's through these next few weeks I set a schedule and wrote it down on my calendar to stay on track. This is going to help me avoid procrastinating and make sure I can give this project my all and give myself time to use all the different techniques throughout the years since this project is truly important to me.  

Schedule: 

Week 1: (1/27-2/2) 

Work on 2 blog posts 

Brainstorm and finalize initial idea 

Confirm chosen genre  

 

Week 2: (2/3-2/9) 

Complete 4 blog posts 

Create the story and script 

Get permission from location and actors 

 

Week 3: (2/10-3/2): 

Complete 4 blog posts 

Develop chosen techniques 

Figure out character development 

Save audio clips 

 

Week 4: (2/17-2/23) 

Work on 4 blog posts 

Start/finish recording 

 

Week 5: (2/24-3/2) 

Complete 4 blog posts 

Start editing footage 

 

Week 6: (3/3-3/9) 

Complete 4 blog posts 

Finish editing and any last final touches 

Start CCR (Creative Critical reflection) 

 

Week 7: (3/10-3/16) 

Complete 4 blog posts 

Start finishing CCR 

 

Week 8: (3/17-3/25) 

Finish last final blog posts!!! 

Submit all my work!! 

Although this might seem like a lot, I'm going to try my best to stick to this schedule through this project. Throughout this year and past projects timing my work has been a major challenge of mine, I'm hoping that creating this schedule will help me stay on task and avoid procrastination.  

 

 Sunday, February 2, 2025

WRITING THE STORY AND PICKING THE GENRE

Genre:

For my film opening I've decided to take drama and slasher horror genres into consideration when preparing my story. When picking and choosing what genres I would like to research I felt as if these 2 have many different characteristics that can be achieved by simple techniques. I would need to illustrate a film that would reflect the different characteristics needed the achieve these genres.

Characteristics of Drama:

Drama films typically tend to be set in everyday environments that reflect real life situations. Being set in everyday environments while developing realistic characters being deeply developed and facing personal or societal struggles makes the film more realistic to the audience. With a more realistic storyline the audience is able to relate to everything going on throughout the story developing a drama genre. Slow paced narrative is another characteristic allows time for emotional buildup and character development.

                                                                (Purple Hearts- 2022)

What Makes a Drama Good?:

When creating a drama, the authenticity and emotional impact are essential to developing a good film. Realistic emption and reactions should make the film relatable and should believable, even if fiction. A good drama creates strong feelings such as empathy and sadness. However, these emotions shouldn't feel natural and not forced.

                                                                 (The Notebook-2004)

Characteristics of Slasher Horror:

When developing horror films, a dark creepy environment is needed to create suspense. This is done with low lightning, eerie music, and loud silence to enhance fear. A dark setting can represent isolation and victims being cut off from help, as well as settings such as cabins and abandoned houses. Many sudden jump cuts and quick editing is used to increase shock and chaos during violent scenes. Handheld camera shots are also used throughout horror films to increase realism due to the shakiness of the shot.  Lastly, extreme close-ups emphasizes fear and pain done by the tight framing.

                                                                     (Scream-1996)

What Makes a Slasher Horror Good?

Good slasher horror films have a high quality suspense done by shots such as POV shots of the killers perspective and silence before the jump scare. Balancing horror and entertainment is another key factor that separates a good slasher horror movie to a mediocre one. Saying to not over due the horror factors such as the silence and and murdering scenes, but if not to include scenes for entertainment to add to the build of the story.

                                                                      (Terrifier-2016)