These three videos were solely made by me, Haider Suleman. After watching some movies music videos on youtube, I just wanted to make my own videos and gave my best in making them. These videos were made on Windows Movie Maker which ruined the aspect ratio of all the three videos.
The frame height and width were changed to following in all three videos due to Windows movie maker
Frame Width: 720
Frame Height: 480
The aspect ratio was changed approximately to 16:10 which stretched the video.
To overcome this problem I used a video converter to change the frame width and height
The new frame width and height are as follow
Frame Width: 720
Frame Height: 320
This is the reason I had to upload the videos again because I really hated the old aspect ratio. The new frame size looks pretty normal to me.
Two of the videos were uploaded a long time ago by me on my personal youtube account. The links to old videos are
1 - The Notebook: She will be loved - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzbJTPhRpes
2 - Sacrifice : Romeo + Juliet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDjIWQAYLWE
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The music video starts off in what seems to be a rather tried and tested formula; with a half dressed woman dancing around in skimpy clothes, although this quickly changes and we can see the true potential of the music video.
The lighting and contrast of the whole has been dulled for the dance portion, where the artist, Cheryl is dancing in sync with a group of male dancers in what seems to be a water ally, in front of old school cars and bikes. The city cut scenes however are in full contrast, with helicopter overview shots of the city at night making a huge contrast to the dulled out dance sequences.
The rapid back and forth between these two situations and settings leaves a person rather dizzy, which is good since the music matches perfectly with it. Slow and fast motion cut scenes have also been used, creating a nice change of pace, as well as pumping up the climax even more.
Although a rather typical pop music video, the contrast of the two opposing environments, as well as dancing sillohete of a woman give that little extra spark, and unlike most other pop videos, one does not tire of watching it over and over again.
IF WE DON'T END WAR, THE WAR WILL END US!
More striking than the filmography and direction itself is the context of the song, as well as its accompanying video. Although a rather cliché subject by now; war, it is nonetheless presented in a rather jarring way. The video is executed with perfect poise, incorporating elements of both contemporary and traditional direction styles
It is obvious from the outset that a lot of computer generated animation is used, although in a subtle way, without it being too obvious. Drastic impact is made with a quote of H.G Wells at the start of the video, setting the mood for the song as well. A note is also given, stating that this is a song about peace.
Cut scenes without the songs appear at both the start and the middle of the video, creating more of a movie like environment to it rather than a music video. And the message is clear: that although war is a necessary part of the world now, it is horrific, tragic and uncalled for.
Considerable impact is made by still images representing the lyrics, clips and photographs of historic occasions and people, while each clip or photograph is super imposed with the lyrics, “Martyr” “Leader” “Victim” amongst others. And this is the central axis on which the video revolves, more than any other directional techniques. This simple style, albeit a rather new one from which various other artists have gained inspiration from now, has never failed to send shivers up one’s spine, no matter how many times you look at the video.
The video moves into a more sci-fi realm in the second half when a convey of soldiers that the band is representing gets bombarded with military debris: tanks, fighter planes, cannons, aircraft carriers etc. all are hurling through the air at them, as if suspended by something magnetic.
This part, along with the intensifying of the music quickly builds up the climax, as the soldiers run for their lives while the debris flies around them. During the closing, the debris starts collecting in one place, forming a pyramid made up of war equipment, suspended in the air. And it is at this sinister ending when the video ends.
All in all, the video’s high points are its contemporary style, melding historical footage seamlessly with computer animation; it also uses a high contrast to add to the surreal environment of the video. Needless to say, this video was a milestone in music video production, and numerous other music videos have since borrowed from its amazingly simple, yet hugely effective direction techniques.
For more information
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870111/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost/Nixon_%28film%29
Written by: Peter Morgan
Directed by: Ron Howard
Casting: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen and Kevin Bacon
The genre and seriousness of a movie can instantly judged from its opening sequence, indeed, the opening sequence sets the overruling tone for the rest of the movie itself. Whether you're watching a comedy, horror, action or biopic, the first 5 minutes or so are sufficient enough to judge it. The case is no different in Frost/Nixon, a reenactment of the Watergate scandal of the 70's.
Starting from the opening credits, which are shown in a plain, almost bitter white font, the mood of the movie has been set to one of utmost seriousness. The stark white on black also pertains itself to being strikingly simple, yet unforgettable in our new-fangled days of crazy fonts and the such. Another scene setting move is the movie starting off in black and white, and an almost nostalgic, static interrupted news reporter talking about the Watergate scandal, immediately telling us three things: what the movie is about, when it's set, and it's genre.
Fittingly, the background music is rather sober, strangely mimicking a funeral march. Perhaps this is purposely done though, seeing as Nixon's term as President was about to draw to a close. The score pays tribute to a raining day in my opinion, and is excellently merged and entwined within the movie.
Another thing which hammers the 70's environment into our minds is the overall ambiance of the scenes. From the way the characters are dressed, to their hairstyles and mannerisms, everything thing just screams out the 70's, and we are easily and almost instantly transported back in time, completely absorbed in the movie at once. Not many movies these days can achieve that. A rather sublime message also given by the director by his emphasize on the anchors and media is that the movie will not just be about politics, but rather how the dirty politics, and rampaging media of that time entwined together to become what was to be remembered as one of the largest scandals to involve a US President.
The movie follows with a anti climax at the beginning: the resignation of the US President Nixon, this allows the director considerable leeway in telling the story for the rest of the movie, since it is no longer bound by a linear timeline. As such, many different story telling techniques can be applied throughout the movie thanks to this subtle change at the beginning.
After the resignation, an atmosphere of what some people might refer to as anarchy is established, and the main characters are introduced in a very profound way: giving interviews and their comments on the resignation of Nixon. Among these characters there is a heavy leaning on the press. Only a few of the characters introduced in the opening sequence are politicians, also giving a hint that most of the movie will be shown through the eyes of the media, albeit from both stances.
However, the most important character is introduced at the end, a typical way of building up a small climax. Nixon, one of the namesakes of the movie had already appeared, now it was time for Frost to come on screen. After the interviews, we cut to the backstage of a television show where a man shrouded in shadows appears. Suddenly, an announcer calls out "And now, the host of Frost over Australia, Mr. David Frost!", and with that, the man, now identified as Frost, comes onto the stage.
Picking apart this fantastic example of an opening sequence, we find that nearly all the elements that are essential to a movie have been done and dealt with in the first 5 minutes or so: suspense, mystery, euphoria, terror... everything that will become critical to the plot of the rest of the movie.
The Frost/Nixon opening sequence has over time become one of the most widely celebrated in the history of cinema, and in my opinion, rightly so. From the get go, you are transported to another time, as an observer of history, even with such an serious issue (considered tedious by some) the opening sequence has no problems at all getting our hearts pumping and adrenaline running... and you can tell that the rest of the movie is going to be a utter roller coaster.
Stranger than fiction
Reference:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDwTQ57YyzI
Directed By: John Fortenberry, Amy Heckerling
Written by: Steve Koren, Will Ferell, Chris Kattan
Cast: Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Racquel Gardner
For more information:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120770/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_at_the_Roxbury
Opening Analysis
Few movies depart from a essentials of a traditional opening sequence, A Night at Roxbury being just one of them. Ditching the much more well known soft type of music during the opening credits, the movie immediately begins with an upbeat party song. This has a lasting impact in our minds: that this is an easy going popcorn eating movie. Nothing too serious, nothing too intellectual, just easy entertainment.
The screen then cuts to an eagle view of a city, what seems to be a party city at that. With flashing lights and neon's reminiscent of the city that never sleeps. In fact, the city high view makes us instantly think of New York or Las Vegas, coupled with the upbeat, trendy music that is hammering into our ears, and we a perfect setting already. All that's left is too introduce the characters. And introduced they are, with as much style and flair as one could imagine of.
Zeroing in on the front bonnet of a car, the number plate fills up the screen: California plates, and a personalized number "Sweet". The camera cuts to a wider shot and two men get out of the car, wearing flashy clothes, giving the impact of high fliers, they dance their way towards what seems to be a club. We are once again jarred by the camera cutting to a shot of people dancing, with neons and strobe lights abound. Hardly being given any time to get used to a shot before our eyes get bombarded with another; much like the make up of a music video, the director uses a clever technique to grab our attention.
The camera zooms in as the crowd parts, showing us the two excessively dressed young men, mimicking each others dance steps, by now we, the audience, are completely convinced that these two are the main characters of the movie, and also seem to be rather close friends. A subtler under-text is also found here, for those who care to read between the lines: these men aren't polished enough to be used to money, it seems as though it might have been a recent windfall that they've encountered.
As we can see, even without the use of any dialogue, the opening sequence has unfolded in a such a way that we already know quite a bit about our two heroes in the movie: recently wealthy, childish personalities, and cringe worthy lameness that defined the 80s.
The next few scenes consist of the pair dancing horribly, trying to make moves on the plenty abound females in the club, and being rebuked by all of them. It is interesting to note what seems to be their sub conscious determination: they don't even bat an eyelid after being turned down and go on as if everything was perfectly fine. Their shenanigans continue until the club itself is disturbed and they are kicked out by a bouncer.
There is so much detail in this opening sequence it is truly a task to analyse it all, with minimal dialogue and in a very short time span the director as already instilled in our minds the personalities of the main characters, the time setting, the genre of the movie (which is undeniably humor at this point). We can also instantly see that it's a buddy movie, the two almost brothers, who look nothing alike but get along famously.
While not as thought provoking or memorable as some other epics such as Legends of the Fall for example, the opening sequence in A Night at Roxbury is a rather cleverly thought out plan. Witty, charming and humorous, it appeals to the sub conscious part of our minds, and even divulges some pinpoint facts about the characters for those who are willing to pay al little attention and read between the lines, so to speak.
After alot of hardwork and efforts this is the final intro made for our production house.
TV Drama : A Touch Of Frost.
CAST AND CREW
Series Directed by | ||
Roger Bamford | (9 episodes, 1994-2008) | |
Paul Harrison | (7 episodes, 2003-2010) | |
Don Leaver | (4 episodes, 1992-1996) | |
Roy Battersby | (4 episodes, 1994-2006) | |
David Reynolds | (3 episodes, 1992-1999) | |
Adrian Shergold | (3 episodes, 1996-1999) | |
Sandy Johnson | (2 episodes, 1997-1999) | |
Robert Knights | (2 episodes, 1999-2000 |
Series Directed by | ||
Roger Bamford | (9 episodes, 1994-2008) | |
Paul Harrison | (7 episodes, 2003-2010) | |
Don Leaver | (4 episodes, 1992-1996) | |
Roy Battersby | (4 episodes, 1994-2006) | |
David Reynolds | (3 episodes, 1992-1999) | |
Adrian Shergold | (3 episodes, 1996-1999) | |
Sandy Johnson | (2 episodes, 1997-1999) | |
Robert Knights | (2 episodes, 1999-2000 |
David Jason | ... | DI Frost / ... (42 episodes, 1992-2010) | |
Bruce Alexander | ... | Supt. Mullett / ... (42 episodes, 1992-2010) | |
John Lyons | ... | D.S. Toolan / ... (39 episodes, 1992-2010) | |
Arthur White | ... | Ernie Trigg / ... (27 episodes, 1994-2010) | |
James McKenna | ... | Sgt. Brady / ... (25 episodes, 1995-2010) | |
David McKail | ... | Dr. McKenzie / ... (20 episodes, 1992-2008) | |
David Gooderson | ... | Pathologist / ... (18 episodes, 1992-2006) | |
Paul Moriarty | ... | Sgt Wells / ... (15 episodes, 1992-1997) | |
George Thompson | ... | P.C. Simms / ... (12 episodes, 1992-1996) | |
Caroline Harker | ... | WPC Hazel Wallace / ... (11 episodes, 1992-2003) |
Textual Analysis
This video clip is taken from the TV Drama "A Touch Of Frost" . The scene opens with a mid shot of two characters two characters standing and are having a conversation . The next scene is jump cut in the woods. This is a wide shot showing a young boy in his late teens coming out of the woods.This shot makes us familiar with the surrounding and the location but the main focus was on the character. As he stands up he cleans up his knee as to get rid of the dirt.He walks in an unusual way : with his mouth open cracking his jaw.As he glances at the bunch of policemen he got frightened (eyes got wide open) and he starts running without any reason.As the policemen caught him he mourns a loud cry saying "I dint do anything" and starts crying. This scene is further made a depressing or a sad scene with the help of digetic sound in the background and low : key lighting.Up till now we have a clue that there is something wrong with this boy he is not perfectly normal.