Final Edit

This is the final edit for my opening sequence.

Taking onboard the comments I received from the assessment and feedback from my first edit, I have been able to change and improve details of the sequence ready for the final deadline.

Firstly, the production cards at the beginning. I removed the music audio from 'Glass House Productions' because feedback felt as though it looked too 'LiveType' and not sophisticated enough, and overall I felt as though this was the best decision to make, and kept it silent. 

Secondly, the tiles appearing in the sequence itself, such as 'Directed by' and 'Starring...' etc, looked very pixilated and lacked enough colour to be clear enough to the audience. This was easily resolved after I spent a little time looking over the controls in the 'Final Cut' panel, and the result is that they are now a lot clearer.  

Finally, towards the end of the sequence, I have the band making a cameo in the sequence as buskers. Originally, I just used shots of them and overlaid the titles, however the feedback suggested that I attempt to sync the music playing in the background so it looks as though they are miming the words. This took a fair amount of time, but I finally got there and successfully managed to sync some of the audio and visuals together. 

Unfortunately time constraints didn't allow me to re film the section where Theo's parents are arguing, as I wanted to replace the slap and walk out, with older actors, but time wasn't on my side. However, their voices are what are important, and you only see them briefly. Also, this is supposed to be a flashback, when Theo was only young and his parents were very young when the flashback is set. 

First Edit audience feedback continued

During todays session, I had my first edit watched and assessed by two members of the class.


The improvements suggested really support other feedback I have had on this, such as the argument between the parents. However, there are some new pieces of feedback which I have not thought about until now.

• establishing shot of the house before the argument in the flashback. 
• sound effects, ambience, before the music starts so it doesn't slip into a 'music video' convention.
• the colour of the titles, appearing during the flashback, sometimes blend in with the background and are hard to see. 

Other than these improvements, my opening sequence was well received and even aspects of it which I was not so fond of, were positively commented on. Such as the dialogue with the voice overs and argument. 

First Edit Audience feedback

Recently, I recorded an audience feedback video. This was taken during and directly after they watched my opening sequence and offered positive feedback and constructive criticism for when I went back and made my final edit.

I took away a sufficient sense of what I need to change for my final edit.
Making the flashbacks clearer and a change of actors for the parents.

However, I do not think it would be wise to change the actor who portrays Theo, due to time and my personal belief and others opinions that he fits the role.

First Edit after thoughts

Recently I have been thinking over the order my titles have been appearing. In order to do this I watched other films, in a similar genre just to see how titles are presented in those.
It has made me think about whether or not the order makes sense, so I will be going back to my first edit to generally switch a lot of the titles around so they make sense.

First Edit

This is my finished first edit for my two minute opening sequence, Searching for Solace.

Generally, I am very pleased with the way it turned out, although I did face some problems along the way.

The titles are an issue I know I will have to keep improving upon, as I still wasn't happy with the way they were presented onscreen.

Also, the timing was also a major issue, as I am fully aware of the fact that I have passed the maximum time length. However, I am already trying to think of ways to resolve this.

Once I have recieved feedback, I will improve upon,

• overall general timing
• titles and how/where/when they appear
• production cards, as these were rushed due to time constraints.

Editing 17/01/12

Today, I will be recording the voice over for the opening sequence. Once this has been completed and edited to meet my standards, all I will have left to complete will be the titles and production cards.

Re Filming and Editing

On the 14/01/12 I decided to re-film the extract of the sequence where we can hear Theo's parents arguing. My reasons behind this choice were because the dialogue sounded too scripted and structured and I wanted to make it as realistic as possible. Overall, I am much happier and content with the content filmed and now that it has been edited, it is looking a lot better than my previous attempt, even though I personally think that it could always be improved, it just comes down to finding the quality of acting I need vocally and piecing together the argument to make it as realistic as it can be.