Added credits to Rough Cut

We've just added the credits to the 'rough cut' of our opening sequence.

We learned how to do this by copying the text into Final Cut Pro and rendering it.

Finished Rough Cut

Today we finished producing the 'rough cut' of our opening sequence on Final Cut Pro.

We have also finished setting up the credits on LiveType.

We haven't yet finished the soundtrack because we haven't fine-tuned the timing yet.

Capturing and editing.

Over the past few days we have began the editing process.. We captured the footage we filmed in Milton onto Final Cut Pro...... (t0 be finished)

Filming Location

Today (Tuesday October 13th) we started filming the opening sequence to Salus.
The first half of the opening sequence was filmed at Sam's house because the kitchen was perfect for the opening (size, contents, prop position etc.); we also used the dining room as a study.
In addition, the kitchen window faces onto the graveyard of a church which would prove to be very useful for mise-en-scène. The fridge was also ideal in terms of height and content.
Sam's house was also good for the amount of props available. These included books, DVDs, food and drink. We placed these in a deliberately messy way to add to effect of the opening sequence and maybe show more about the main character and his personality/lifestyle.

Research into the Da Vinci Code

Because of the similarities in genre, religious conspiracy/thriller we decided to look at the opening sequence to the 'Da Vinci Code'.

There were a lot of elements to that film's opening sequence that are similar to the way that we plan to film our opening sequence.

The most notable of these is the mise-en-scene and camera work.

The religious theme plays heavily on both opening sequence; in 'Salus', we plan to use religious ornaments and texts whereas the 'Da Vinci Code' used religious paintings.

Both films make it clear early on that the characters in the opening sequence are very religious.

In the 'Da Vinci Code' - one of the characters wears robes typically associated with Monks. In 'Salus' - the contents of the house will show that the main protagonist is devoutly religious.

Both films also use overtly religious language. One of the characters in the 'Da Vinci Code' asks (in French) for forgiveness from his God. On the other hand, the opening sequence of 'Salus' revolves around Psalm 37:37-40.

There are also similarities in the camerawork. Both films are/will be shot in the third person and both rely a lot on lighting. The use of minimal light in the 'Da Vinci Code' adds to the suspense of the opening sequence; whereas in 'Salus', it shows the reclusive nature of the main character, spending most of his time in a dark, candle-lit study room.

Target Audience

Today we discussed the overall film and talked about the type of audience it is aimed at and how we would advertise it to them. As our audience age group is certificate 15 we decided that the type of advertisement would have to appeal to this age group and over.

Therefore we thought that our film could be advertised in a magazine which was read by this age group, likewise the trailer of the film could be shown, obviously on T.V, but more specifically during the adverts of a show that also has a target audience of age group 15 and over.

The same thing could done at the cinema just before a film of the same certificate. The advert itself would need to let the audience know its their type of film and age group without them just looking at the certificate.

Shot List

Here is the planned shot list for the first few shots of our opening sequence:

Shot 1 - A Long shot of the kitchen, moving towards the fridge gradually (attaching camera to chair or skateboard?).
Shot 2 - A Close up of the fridge, allowing room to open the fridge door.
Shot 3 - A Close up of the opened fridge door, a hand is seen taking the Clear Cranberry Juice bottle out of the fridge.
Shot 4 - The shot then cuts to the study, shown paper and books strewn on study desk.
Shot 5 - The shot cuts to a close up of the Bible (with fireplace and candles possibly in background).
Shot 6 - There is then a Medium shot of the character being handed a Bible (only the Bible and two hands will be seen in this shot.

As of October 8th, we are discussing how to shoot the remaining shots. We will write a post on that once we have decided.

Video References

Title Font: First Draft

Here is the first draft of what our title may look like in our opening sequence. The fading ends of each letter suggest that it has been drawn by a finger, using blood. Also, the disfigured, final 'S' appears it has been rushed to finish the word. Unfortunately, the blogger uploading software has uploaded this image in a blue. However the original title is in a deep blood red.

Working Title

Based on the plot, we have a working title which is 'SALUS' this is the Latin translation for salvation. We came up with salvation because it was part of the quote from Psalms stated earlier in the blog, and we chose this specific word because it is important to the plot in that after the monarchy has fallen they are being aided in the fight to regain power and therefore are receiving the justice they desire. However like we said this is just our working title and so we may think of a title that is more relevant to the plot.