eBooks on film language

There are plenty of cheap eBooks around which offer film-making tips and guides to media language/film grammar, etc. Here's one example, which features a guide to the shot/angle types plus on camera movement (American-style terms used can be a little confusing though): Ruth Torjussen's How to Film/Direct (£1.11 at the time of writing).

Blogger template: keep it Simple

See pics below for illustrations/detail of why you must select a white-background Simple template, NOT a Dynamic Views or other template. You're still left with the ability to customise blog background image, default fonts, gadgets etc.
You can find further guidance/examples in this post.

You'll find the Blog Archive gadget at the top of the right-column on most of my blogs, enabling you to quickly find posts you're looking for. Your blogs should be the same, for the benefit of examiners, myself, each other and general readers of your blogs!

Vodcast on conventions seen in 8 film openings

You can find info on what a vodcast is, and generally how to tackle these, in this post.

I strongly suggest you try to summarise what you see as conventions by using a table which you can easily share within the group of four for this task. The group will produce one vodcast, not 4. The table below (typed or written into) would help clarify your findings and make it easier to compare notes with others:
Film Opening Conventions

Your vodcast is a short video setting out what you consider to be common codes and conventions of film openings. It needs to be well illustrated (with captions ensuring the audience knows which film we're seeing a screenshot from). The visuals can/should include shots of yourselves talking about this - you could have a mix of single shots and group shots. If someone who had knew nothing about these conventions watched your vodcast they should be able to explain, with many examples, what common conventions occur in film openings.
Rather than constantly cut between different voices, own your combined material on 8 film openings. One person could address editing aspects for example, another titles, and you could then work on building up a unified vodcast.

So, what are you looking out for? This is not an exhaustive list but you can consider:

• IDENTS: How long are they typically, how high-tech/complex; how many do we see; where do they appear
• TITLES: This is a key part of your overall coursework task, so detailed notes are important. Which roles/companies are noted; what specific language is used; do any names/companies appear more than once; what font (serif/sans-serif; colour; case) is used; note the positioning (does this differ between titles) and any animation; any graphic element to the titles; is there a gap between titles or do they continuously appear (eg company names - A Warp Films Production - a gap then individual credits?)
• OPENING SHOT: always worth noting. Any audio bridge linking it with idents?
• RUNNING TIME OF OPENING: How long is the self-contained opening sequence? Is it clear where this ends?
• CLOSING SHOT OF OPENING + TRANSITION TO MAIN BODY OF FILM: Always note the final shot too. Do you get a fade-out or other transition or a straight cut? Are titles used to reinforce a change of location/time immediately after the opening ends?
• EDITING: any transitions to signify ellipsis; any SFX; continuity editing style or any hallmarks of discontinuity?
• LENGTH OF TAKES + EDITING PACE: looooong takes or fast-paced editing with short takes? much variation in this? Simply by following one character/keeping referring back to them also suggests to the audience that they are a central character.
• SHOT VARIETY: ask yourself as you watch these whether you think further shots should be inserted - is there sufficient shot variety? This and the above point are linked. Look for simple things too like two-shots used to signify personal relationships.
• MISE-EN-SCENE: This links to the above point: what does the mise-en-scene communicate to the audience (providing exposition on location, time period, genre etc)? Is verisimilitude achieved (can you see evidence of costuming, set-dressing, props etc)?
• SETUPS/SCENES: Each time you leave a room or other part of a location you have to work to setup the next scene: how many setups or scenes are involved?
• FLASHBACKS/MAJOR ELLIPSIS: Halloween is one of many that opens with events and then gives a title stating x years later so we know we're now in the present.
• NARRATIVE ENIGMA V EXPOSITION: What do we learn about setting, time period, narrative, characters, genre - and what is intentionally withheld? Do we appear to meet antagonist or protagonist/s? You could also comment here on plot, cliffhangers etc
• SOUND + MUSIC: Note use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Specifically, how is music used, if at all - is it continuous; are multiple music tracks used; does the volume level rise? Does the music genre seem to hint at the target audience and/or genre?
• GENRE SIGNIFIERS: Do you see anything which seems to point towards a particular genre?
• INTERTEXTUALITY: Are there references to existing texts?
• REPRESENTATIONS: Use of stereotypes, countertypes, a mix of both? When looking at horror openings, be alert for stock characters like scream queens, masked killer, jock, nerd, final girl, ineffective adult/authority figure etc
• GENRE/BUDGET/ERA SPECIFIC? You'll find that conventions have changed over time and also vary with budget and genre.
• MEMORABLE ASPECTS: Quite simply, anything you thought was particularly interesting or noteworthy. Especially as you begin to work on horror openings, you should note where you see useful examples of costume, dialogue, editing etc which you may well take direct inspiration from.

Complete by Friday 19th

Complete/improve all posts and generally proofread/tidy-up blog (see this post)
Blog on a fresh film opening (see also this guide)
In pairs discuss/compare the past AS coursework film opening you each looked at + blog your notes (here's the markscheme)
In 4s vodcast on conventions seen in your two detailed film opening analyses so far (see also this guide). This is a guide to vodcasting; you can find past examples on past blogs; I've embedded some below.

1: Vodcast on a slasher film franchise by a 2012 AS Media student

2: Vodcast (as part of Evaluation) on the use of technologies throughout the A2 production

3: DB vodcast on layering in music videos

Sept-Oct learning + blogging guide

I'll list below the main tasks we've undertaken so far, then break down the major learning points. Most of this should be reflected on your blog - use this as a checklist and add/improve where necessary.
If unsure about any of this, ask. If you email in advance of a lesson i can clear up any uncertainty with the whole class.

ORDER OF BLOG POSTS:
Your blog should start with these posts, in this order - I will tell you all how to change the order of posts as soon as someone asks in lesson time (although I've used all caps you shouldn't):

THE BRIEF [word for word as the exam board put it; look for main task on your coursework guide, or use this post]
MY FAVOURITE FILM [including image, hyperlinks + video + brief comment on WHY]
TisEng: BUDGET, BOX OFFICE + M.LANG [EG1]
M.LANG IN [meadows film title] OPENING [EG2]
M.LANG IN OTHER MEADOWS OPENINGS [notes from others' work + class discussion]
M.LANG IN [film of your choice] OPENING [EG3]
PRELIM
FINAL CUT EXPRESS: 1ST IMPRESSIONS
SWEDING EXPLAINED
SWEDE PITCH + PLANNING
COMPLETED SWEDE + REFLECTION
FINAL CUT PRO X: 1ST IMPRESSIONS
THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA [you can use this post]
ASSESSING A PAST AS FILM OPENING
COMPARING 2 PAST AS FILM OPENINGS
OPENING EG4: [title]
OPENING EG5: [title]
VODCAST: M.LANG IN 8 FILM OPENINGS

the above to be completed/improved by the end of Friday 19th; the topics below we will cover/you will blog after this date. That makes 17 posts, some very brief some quite in-depth and requiring multiple relevant, captioned screenshots (blogging on openings, prelim, FCE, FCPro and to a lesser degree swede pitch/completed edit + prelim)

SEMIOTICS: THE CONCEPT + KEY TERMS
SEMIOTIC RAP
KEY NARRATIVE THEORIES
MICRODRAMA PITCH
MICRODRAMA: PLANNING
[blog on these 4 for the start of next half-term]
MICRODRAMA: THE SHOOT
MICRODRAMA: EDITING
MICRODRAMA: FINISHED FILM + REFLECTION
FILM OPENINGS: SUMMARY OF CONVENTIONS
HORROR EG1: [title]
HORROR EG2: [title]
VODCAST: M.LANG IN 8 HORROR OPENINGS
HORROR EG3: [title]
HORROR EG4: [title]
SOUNDTRACK MUSIC
SOUND: BRIDE OF CHUCKY v BJDiary
SOUND: REDUBBING PAST COURSEWORK
HORROR EG5: [title]
HORROR EG6: [title]
MISE-EN-SCENE: BofC v BJD v TisEngEG1: [title]
MISE-EN-SCENE IN [3 titles of your choice: 1 Warp, 1 WT, 1 slasher]

COURSE OUTLINE
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Course outline; AS exam/coursework links summary; OCR [exam board] summary (details of coursework and exam topics + terminology); Why Media questionnaire.
Its vital you recognise the interconnected (or synoptic) nature of the course: learning from coursework benefits exam learning and vice versa, as British Cinema and media language/semiotics/representation are vital for coursework success.
You should also recognise the markscheme/assessment criteria: 50% coursework, 50% exam. Coursework is 60% production but 20% Research + Planning, 20% Evaluation - you are marked on the blog and its presentation.
Each exam question /50 is marked as 20/50 Explanation, Analysis, Argument; 20/50 Use of Examples; 10/50 Use of Terminology.

A great example of a dutch angle (reinforced with sound); make use of the ability to look at past examples of Media work, including blogs/Evaluations and productions/exercises

BLOGGING: None required, but you will find the prelim task details.

MEDIA LANGUAGE: ANGLES + SHOT TYPES
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Fundamental shot types [graphic 1pg summary]; AS Course Content: Media Lang [4pgs; terminology explained]. We worked through an extensive PowerPoint to familiarise ourselves with key shot types and angles.
BLOGGING: None required, but the precise terminology must be used in lessons and all written work from this point.

Indie, social realist aesthetic: making a virtue of low budget?

TisEng RESEARCH TASK
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Worksheet. Through this you were introduced to IMDB.com (the Internet Movie DataBase) and how it works. You were also introduced to boxofficemojo.com.
You learned how to use and interpret box office data. Budgets can suggest whether a film was an Indie or a studio production. We noted other terms: social realism, the most common type of UK film production and favoured by Indie producers working on low budgets; the auteur theory (crediting directors with authorship of a film despite the contributions of editor, producer etc; directors with an identifiable style who tackle distinct issues in their body of work)
BLOGGING: What have you learned about budgets/box office and how we interpret the sometimes long lists of dates and figures we get in IMDB? You could screenshot the box office list to illustrate this post. What terms and concepts were you introduced to by this work? In what ways is TisEng a typically British film? [hints: Indie, social realism, part-funded by Lottery/gov. agencies + TV exhibitors (Film4, BBC also common; Meadows as auteur); seen as 'arthouse' abroad, eg USA] you In both your exam and coursework marks are available for use of appropriate media terminology: challenge yourself to apply the terms we learn in subsequent posts/lessons to help yourself embed this learning.

WARP/MEADOWS OPENING PRESENTATION
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This blog post set out the task. This was to build on and consolidate learning so far, giving you a chance to apply this to an example of a film opening, including the production context (budget, box office etc). We returned to the concept of auteur and outlined the 3-part film industry model: production - distribution - exhibition.
BLOGGING: Your work should be presented in a blog post, including relevant hyperlinks, embedded video clip/s and above all screenshots with captions.

as an example of how coursework and exam learning is integrated, we noted at this stage that the exam framework (analysing cinematography [camera work], sound, editing and mise-en-scene, plus representations) is useful to apply when looking at such sequences

NOTES ON OTHER MEADOWS' FILM OPENINGS

TisEng's opening montage blends 80s pop cul + politics

CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Notes from lesson time where we viewed each of the openings (for 24/7; A Room for Romeo Brass and Dead Man's Shoes, all directed by the contemporary auteur Shane Meadows. We also analysed some aspects of the media language in TisEng.
BLOGGING: Simply enough a summary of your learning - you could grab screenshots from your colleagues' blogs to help with this! Use appropriate terminology. If you detail these you will be able to look back on these to bolster your grasp of codes and conventions; marks are at stake for both R+P (research into similar products) + Eval (Q2: how does your work reflect/challenge conventions of existing texts).

BLOGGING + YOUTUBE
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Lesson time looking at how to present blog posts and the settings for a user-friendly blog. Posts such as this (on layout/gadgets), this (on posting on film opening examples) and this (general pointers) all have detail, as does the coursework guide. At any time you can always look at past examples (the standard will of course vary widely).

We also looked at YouTube uploading and the settings to consider (eg setting comments to be moderated, and the use of tags to drive viewers to your channel).
BLOGGING: This doesn't require a blog post but your blogs should fully reflect this. You could post on this, using screenshots of past students' blogs/channels if you wish: Eval Q6 tasks you with analysing your use of technology.

MEDIA LANGUAGE IN [your film choice] OPENING
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This blog post set out the instructions. You should include basic institutional/production background, using the TisEng research task worksheet handout as a template for this.
BLOGGING: Remember, I've set out in detail what should go in posts on exemplar film openings in this post. You may have made notes on others' chosen film openings from lessons, and could blog on this too - ultimately you need to be able to set out with authority what the key codes and conventions of film openings are, with multiple examples for every point you raise. You are assessed on this in both the R+P (20% of coursework) and Eval (also 20%).

PRELIM
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: The task is detailed on your course summary.
BLOGGING: You can find further info on what to blog here. You will find your final mark will be boosted (and your workload significantly reduced) if you bear in mind the Evaluation questions from an early stage - here I've posted on the Evaluation question which links to the prelim. Your post MUST include defs of the terms, your completed edit, AND analysis/reflection of what continuity editing is/means. Screenshots would be useful for this.

FINAL CUT EXPRESS: 1ST IMPRESSIONS
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: There are some posts on this (and plenty on past student blogs), but your own notes + screenshots are the key resource.
BLOGGING: Reflect on your initial experience with this software. If you've used iMovie or other editing software before, no matter how basic or sophisticated, compare and contrast. Provide screenshots to illustrate some of the tools you used. How do you import footage? How do you export your edited movie?

SWEDING EXPLAINED
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post set out the task, with examples + links to more sweding resources.
BLOGGING: I've broken this down into more detail below, but in summary you'll be blogging on: what is a swede; your idea/pitch; the chosen idea; the planning; the finished vid; reflection on what you've learnt (especially on your media language decisions - how could they be improved if starting this again? this is a good opportunity to re-read and apply the assessment criteria for the production).

SWEDING PITCH + PLANNING
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: See above.
BLOGGING: This is the last practical task for which storyboards + call sheets will not be compulsory. If you did use any planning documents its useful to scan in + embed these. Break down the steps required to make your swede happen - what organisational tasks, creative decisions etc were involved? Did anyone take overall leadership of this/was your contribution distinct? As well as your own detailed pitch, make sure you've set out what the group idea was. Refer to the post on sweding.

COMPLETED SWEDE + REFLECTION
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: As above.
BLOGGING: As the sweding post suggests:

Absolutely everything we do from now until your work is submitted should be reflected on your blog, with the sweding task no exception. You should blog on what a swede is/where the term comes from' your idea + pitch; the idea selected for group production (you could take some of this from the post of whomever pitched it - you do need some vid clip/s to illustrate the film selected; the planning + challenges (organisation) involved in achieving this; any learning on hardware or software; the completed swede uploaded to your own channel and embedded in your blog; reflection on the process - what might you do differently/better if doing this again (eg more shot variety, better planning/organisation, better use of costume/props + consideration/manipulation of location/s and mise-en-scene).

FINAL CUT PRO X: 1ST IMPRESSIONS
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: Your own notes + screenshots.
BLOGGING: As before with FCExpress.

Your understanding of and application of technology is assessed through two of the Eval assessment criteria, most of the Production criteria and on the presentation of your R+P.

THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post.
BLOGGING: Have the markscheme embedded or typed in here so you can refer back to it at any time. As Scibd seems to have changed and may now be charging to access the documents I've kindly made freely available over the past 4 years, you could take a screenshot (as Hannah helpfully suggested).You've also been supplied with a printed copy of this, which you should have every lesson, and you have been emailed the file (you can upload it yourself for an embed code).

ASSESSING A PAST COURSEWORK PRODUCTION
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post had the simple instructions.

Behind-the-scenes on the Full Moon shoot, a past IGS production

BLOGGING: Make sure you've embedded the opening under discussion!!! Screenshots (generally with timings) should be provided. You could take the chance to look at the blogs by the student/s who produced this.

COMPARING 2 PAST COURSEWORK PRODUCTIONS
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post had the simple instructions.
BLOGGING:The outcome of your discussion with a 2nd person in the class who looked at a different opening. The key thing here is what have you actually learned from this exercise - about the markscheme, things to include, things to avoid etc.

OPENING eg4: [title]
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post had the instructions. You each randomly picked a DVD to work on, and then a second.
BLOGGING: The guide post contains the details. You'll need plentiful screenshots for the vocast. You should use the simple table provided to make it easier to share/discuss your findings as a group on a range of conventions you each think you've spotted.

OPENING eg5: [title]
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post had the instructions. You each randomly picked a DVD to work on, and then a second.
BLOGGING: The guide post contains the details. You'll need plentiful screenshots for the vocast. You should use the simple table provided to make it easier to share/discuss your findings as a group on a range of conventions you each think you've spotted.

VODCAST1: CONVENTIONS IN 8 FILM OPENINGS
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: This post has detail on pod/vodcasting plus links to additional relevant posts. To understand why you're doing this task, and how good detailed posts + screenshots will pay off not just for R+P marks but also for Evaluation marks, see this post.
BLOGGING: The key to this is being detailed, specific and comprehensive. You need to methodically build up a detailed picture of what your initial research into film openings tells you are common codes or conventions (note I haven't said rules - any good list of such conventions will include some contradictory points). I'll cover this task in detail in this post.

Details on later posts will be added later.

TBC
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: .

BLOGGING: k
 
TBC
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: .

BLOGGING: k

TBC
CONTENT/HANDOUTS: .

BLOGGING: k
tbc

Past coursework task

Will YOUR Media work topple one of these?! (March 2012 list)

Find the post on the coursework assessment criteria and save that document into your own MyDocs (and on any memory sticks for transferring home). Open the single sheet summary and keep it open - print off a copy if you wish.
Go to the IGSMediaStudies YouTube channel.
Find the 2008-9 AS coursework playlist.
Create a new blog post called Assessing a Past Coursework Opening.

You will be working in pairs, each on a different film opening - 1st come 1st served (shout out the name of the one you want to work on).
Watch it through twice, then make notes (blog) the following:

1. the strongest feature of this opening
2. the weakest feature of this opening
3. any of the criteria you think it would rate excellent on
4. any of the criteria you think it would rate minimal or basic on
5. pick out and detail three particularly effective shots within this opening
6. do the same commenting on 3 aspects of editing 
7. NOW get together with another student who looked at a different past production and discuss your findings, plus any tips/insights you've gained on what to do/avoid.

Its vital you are aware of the assessment criteria as you research and plan your production, so make the most of the learning this task offers.
If you didn't take detailed notes from a second student in lesson time either arrange to do so or have a look yourself at a 2nd example, following the 7 steps above.

Coursework Guide

This was written for the 2011-2012 Media course but still largely applies
2012 as Coursework Guide

Blogging on examples of film openings

MeganC evidences research into conventions

Related posts: Evaluation Q1 guide - the first, and longest, Evaluation question (remember, this is 20% of the final mark) requires you to show your knowledge of the conventions (media language) used in film openings;
this post links to a sample post by a past student; ;
this post describes many of the things you should consider;

WHAT I'LL COVER IN THIS POST

• why you need to blog on film opening examples
• exam links
• style and layout guide
• what to look out for/note/discuss
• illustrating your posts
• an example of how you might tackle such posts

WHY YOU NEED TO BLOG ON MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF FILM OPENINGS

ChrisL presents some research in an embedded Ppt

• if you look at the coursework markscheme (and we will apply this to past coursework so you can fully undertand how this works) you will see that you are assessed on research into similar products for Research and Planning (20% of the total coursework mark) and understanding of forms and conventions plus ability to refer to choices made for the Evaluation (also 20% of the total mark)
• so, if you fail to evidence research into and a firm grasp of the media language associated with the format (film openings and titles) and genre conventions your overall grade will suffer
• you need to be able to justify the many individual choices you will make with reference to existing examples - why did you select a particular shot type, angle or framing; why did you cast this person; why select that costume; why that edit, etc, etc
• this is highly creative work, but it is creativity fundamentally underpinned by extensive research (in addition to film openings you will be required to read about the slasher genre, its history, conventions and contemporary standing)
• our exam board have consistently praised the standard of IGS students' blogs, and we want this (and the high level of achievement) to continue

EXAM LINKS

RobS's link list of openings analysed

• your learning for both exam sections is highly relevant;
• the 1st part of the exam requires you to identify and discuss the media language used, applying a wide range of terminology - you will find it much, much easier to succeed in this if you push yourself to apply the terminology picked up from lessons in your blog posts from the outset
• you are marked on your use of terminology in the exam
• you are also asked to analyse representations in the exam
• furthermore, you will need to apply semiotics
• you should do all three of these when discussing examples of film openings, using the relevant terminology
• British Cinema is the 2nd part of the exam, and as filmmakers engaged in creating new British Cinema work yourselves every aspect of this is relevant
• over the last four years many IGS AS Media students have seen their coursework screened at a national film festival, highlighting the realism of your task and challenge - to create work that can make it to a cinema screen
• its worth re-reading the course summary you got in the 1st week to remind yourself of the topics covered
• you can also use the terminology guide provided (you will also receive a semiotics guide and guide to representations)
• I have also given you a summary of these links as a handout
• plus you have posts like this

STYLE + LAYOUT GUIDE

RobS' Eval Q1 clearly sets out his learning

• you are marked on care in presentation for the R+P, plus ability to communicate (which includes use of terminology) and skill in use of ICT for the Eval
• so, when I stipulate layout and design points it is to help push your grades up
• you must treat the blog as a production in its own right, and take care to consistently present your posts attractively, with frequent use of multimedia, sub-headings etc
• you can find a really comprehensive blog presentation guide here
• you can find further pointers (and more links) to maximising your R+P mark here

Set out key info at the top of the post, changing font, colour + bold - and make title + director name into relevant hyperlinks (eg Wiki, official website, IMDB entry, review)

• include (on separate lines):
• film title [if its been remade, add (original; remade in year) as appropriate]
• director, year of release
• production company/ies
• budget (US, UK box office figures, generally to 1 decimal point of a million, eg $10.2m)
• length of opening sequence (eg 6:15 mins)
• its worth adding as hyperlinked words: FURTHER USEFUL RESOURCES: trailer; rottentomatoes.com page (68% rating); Wiki (and any other useful vids you may have found on YouTube; Amazon links to books; links to articles about the film or director - including remakes) [rottentomatoes gathers reviews and calculates critics and audience responses - the link is for Taken - just 58% among profressional critics, but 83% from the public's ratings]

SUMMARY: the last thing you'll write, but briefly outline the key points near the top of the post. You can also use this to state whether its an Indie or studio movie (showing you can make sense of the budget, box office and production co info - you might want to refer to screens too) and a hit or a flop. Note if its part of a franchise, and what critical standing it has. Try to highlight media language you find inspirational or useful (that might influence your work). Your own view is relevant - do you think its a good or weak example? Anything unusual or all conventional and generic?

• if you've found the opening sequence on YouTube then embed it after this

SUB-HEADINGS: Use subheadings (not from the dropdown Normal/subheading etc list, but by changing font, bold, colour + maybe size) for each topic you address.
My suggestions below are not prescriptive, and you're not expected to produce massive posts on every opening you look at, but make your posts user-friendly by setting out in a few words what aspect the bullet points below will address. This makes it easier for you to find points you made as well, critical when it comes to the Evaluation.

I generally avoid centring pics, but will make an exception here. The font size was too small but TomC here showcases wide-ranging knowledge with clear, specific examples from his earlier work on film openings - also boosted with reading (first-rate summary of complex narrative theory to start this), with useful hyperlinks and illustrations. I'd always try to add captions to pics though. Note that the pics were from his own work as well as from existing films. There is also quite a lot of terminology.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR/NOTE/DISCUSS
SECTIONS/THEMES: If you look on p.22-24 of the coursework guide you'll see I suggest a large number of elements you could consider. You could simplify this to the 4 technical areas you have to consider for your exam, which would help you sharpen your skills for it. Use the handouts with summaries of key terms to help with this. (Don't use numbering in your sub-headings)

1. cinematography (camera work, shot types, angles, framing, movement)
2. editing (including transitions, SFX; linear or non-linear; (dis)continuity etc)
3. sound ((non-)diegetic; use of music [often signifies core target audience + genre - can also be clumsy and overused; say so if you think so]; audio bridge; voiceover etc)
4. mise-en-scene (includes props, locations, costume, makeup - verisimilitude?)

You also need to analyse representations in your exam. Titles and idents are also an important part of openings. A non-Media student will invariably focus on narrative and give a linear description (this happens, then this happens...). Narrative is useful to note, but be brief, and focus as much on exposition (what and how much/little info is provided for the audience on time period, location, key characters, genre etc; its likely narrative enigma will be employed to some extent). So, narrative/exposition is a useful heading.
Also worth considering:

• intertextuality (links/references to existing texts)
• genre conventions observed ... or broken (very useful to note so you can find examples to look back on when designing your own work. you could also note hybridity here, where you see signifiers of 2 or more genres [to help widen audience appeal])
• how the opening concludes and the main movie resumes (the final shot of your opening is incredibly important, so its worth carefully noting these)
• particularly useful shots/details - if you see something you think is well done and you might want to take influence from its worth highlighting

Again, I'm not setting out any compulsory sub-heading titles; pick your own, just make them clear and stick to the same wording across all your posts.
If you've already done some posts which focus simply or narrative, or don't clearly set out useful info in a way you will be able to quickly find it in future, edit such posts. Remember, you're marked on blog presentation too. 
You might want to use the following, longer list as a checklist:

• IDENTS: How long are they typically, how high-tech/complex; how many do we see; where do they appear
• TITLES: This is a key part of your overall coursework task, so detailed notes are important. Which roles/companies are noted; what specific language is used; do any names/companies appear more than once; what font (serif/sans-serif; colour; case) is used; note the positioning (does this differ between titles) and any animation; any graphic element to the titles; is there a gap between titles or do they continuously appear (eg company names - A Warp Films Production - a gap then individual credits?)
• OPENING SHOT: always worth noting. Any audio bridge linking it with idents?
• RUNNING TIME OF OPENING: How long is the self-contained opening sequence? Is it clear where this ends?
• CLOSING SHOT OF OPENING + TRANSITION TO MAIN BODY OF FILM: Always note the final shot too. Do you get a fade-out or other transition or a straight cut? Are titles used to reinforce a change of location/time immediately after the opening ends?
• EDITING: any transitions to signify ellipsis; any SFX; continuity editing style or any hallmarks of discontinuity?
• LENGTH OF TAKES + EDITING PACE: looooong takes or fast-paced editing with short takes? much variation in this? Simply by following one character/keeping referring back to them also suggests to the audience that they are a central character.
• SHOT VARIETY: ask yourself as you watch these whether you think further shots should be inserted - is there sufficient shot variety? This and the above point are linked. Look for simple things too like two-shots used to signify personal relationships.
• MISE-EN-SCENE: This links to the above point: what does the mise-en-scene communicate to the audience (providing exposition on location, time period, genre etc)? Is verisimilitude achieved (can you see evidence of costuming, set-dressing, props etc)?
• SETUPS/SCENES: Each time you leave a room or other part of a location you have to work to setup the next scene: how many setups or scenes are involved?
• FLASHBACKS/MAJOR ELLIPSIS: Halloween is one of many that opens with events and then gives a title stating x years later so we know we're now in the present.
• NARRATIVE ENIGMA V EXPOSITION: What do we learn about setting, time period, narrative, characters, genre - and what is intentionally withheld? Do we appear to meet antagonist or protagonist/s? You could also comment here on plot, cliffhangers etc
• SOUND + MUSIC: Note use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Specifically, how is music used, if at all - is it continuous; are multiple music tracks used; does the volume level rise? Does the music genre seem to hint at the target audience and/or genre?
• GENRE SIGNIFIERS: Do you see anything which seems to point towards a particular genre?
• INTERTEXTUALITY: Are there references to existing texts?
• REPRESENTATIONS: Use of stereotypes, countertypes, a mix of both? When looking at horror openings, be alert for stock characters like scream queens, masked killer, jock, nerd, final girl, ineffective adult/authority figure etc
• GENRE/BUDGET/ERA SPECIFIC? You'll find that conventions have changed over time and also vary with budget and genre.
• MEMORABLE ASPECTS: Quite simply, anything you thought was particularly interesting or noteworthy. Especially as you begin to work on horror openings, you should note where you see useful examples of costume, dialogue, editing etc which you may well take direct inspiration from.

ILLUSTRATING YOUR POSTS
This is covered in detail in a previous post, but the basic points are:

• MULTImedia
• ie, plentiful hyperlinks (usually best to make words into links, not to just paste in the URL), relevant images (sized and positioned appropriately - and always add a simple, clear caption; save/upload images, don't copy/paste as often they simply won't show up when someone else looks at your blog), and embedded audio/video where relevant
• its worth repeating: embedded audio can be useful, and you usually get a fairly small audio player (useful for points on soundtrack for example)
• you will be creating both podcasts and vodcasts throughout the year, often to summarize your findings on a number of openings or other topics

AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU MIGHT TACKLE SUCH POSTS
I'll try to come back to this and add an exemplar, time permitting.

Sample film opening HWK for Mon 8th Oct

You've each randomly selected a DVD, and should blog on the film opening you've received, noting the following (using sub-headings in your blog post would be a good idea); follow the same instructions for a second film opening (you'll need info on both for the linked vodcast task):

Screenshot from a past student company ident

1. BASIC INFO: Title (director, year), budget + UK/US box office (if available). Set each detail out on a separate line, and change the font from default (+ bold + colour, NOT background colour). Making the film title + director name into IMDB, Wiki (etc) hyperlinks is always useful, and if you can find the opening on YouTube (ir a trailer) that does no harm either
2. Include 'Length of opening sequence' and fill this in later
3. List the company idents (click here for an example if unsure what an ident is)
4. Note any other companies listed in the opening credits that didn't have idents included
5. Note the titles - the specific wording. You don't need to note the names (except for director credit like A Shane Meadows Film, just the roles and how they're worded. Does the director get two credits? 
6. Denote (list) the first 20 shots (what shot type), plus any additional media language you can name at this stage (look at your list of terminology or notes from lessons). Where you can, state why you think this shot was chosen (if you thin k there was a better choice available, say so and explain why) Plentiful screenshots would be useful.
7. Watch the opening all the way through. Note how long it is and add this info to the start of your post.
8. How does the opening sequence end? Is there a fade out or some other transition?
9. BRIEFLY summarize the exposition provided to the audience (ie, background information): do we now know the time period, location, genre, biography of the main character/s (an/protagonist), basic plot? It helps to note how you know; as filmmakers you will need to think about how much to communicate to your audience and how to do this.



An ECU, presumably used to emphasize emotion + compel the audience to feel this too

10. We'll be looking at some of your examples in class, and then you'll work in pairs to compare and contrast your findings. Two pairs will then share their findings and present their findings in the form of a vodcast - for which you will need screenshots from all 8 films to illustrate your findings. This will be a major step towards proving you've researched and understood the media language commonly employed in film openings. These are not rules, but rather conventions seen in many. The unusual exceptions are also useful, as they may help you justify some unusual choices when it comes to your own films.

You could be browsing through blogs from 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 to give you a better idea of what a final blog might look like.
You might have noticed that I tend to put links into bold to ensure they are noticed; you should too.