Evaluation:
Research:
For my research on this particular project, I started looking at a variety of TV and film title sequences which I then critiqued. I liked this as I genuinely liked looking at title sequences and then I often said why I liked them, and what I particularly liked in that title sequence.
For TV title sequences I looked at: American Horror Story season 1-3 (Murder House, Asylum and Coven). I really liked looking at these title sequences as it was a TV programme that I was familiar with and I could say quite a bit about each title sequence, and I did on my TV Title Sequence page. I then looked at a few other title sequences which I knew and liked these were: True Blood, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, and Game of Thrones.
- For the film title sequences that was a little difficult as I thought of so many title sequences from films that I really liked. However, I noted down just a few and these ended up on my: Film Title Seuqence page, these films were: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The girl with the dragon tattoo, Edward Scissorhands, Final Destination 4, Beetlejuice and Spider-Man.
- I then looked into title sequence designers here I found many names such as: Pamela B. Green, Saul Bass, Kyle Cooper, Kuntzel & Deygas and a few others. I found that looking at title sequence designers, was really interesting as they had a variety of film title sequences which many of us will know, but didn't know who it was created by. I really liked that.
- I then looked into lens based work, ie: Fish eye lens, and Bokeh. I wanted to out this into my research page as I had brief experiments with both of these fields and thought it would be interesting to say something about each medium. I found that the fish eye lens was really interesting, I like the way that it makes a room look bigger than what it actually is. For the Bokeh, I again rather liked the technique. I think it was well with lights and rain.
- After I looked at the standard stuff as everyone else, I then did some research for my end outcome. Here I looked at a variety of things like: Tarot Cards, Astrology, Circuses, Family Trees, Incest, Witchcraft, Wicca, Freak Shows, Jersey Devil, Palmistry, Voodoo, the Moon, American Horror Story and Fonts. I rather liked the research for my end outcome as I thought that these listed above where really fascinating and very unusual to research.
- I was influenced by the American Horror Story programmes initially. I was really fascinated how they created such dark, sinister and truly beautiful work. I had started watching the third season first, which I grew to love and find really interesting. So I watched the first two season and was inspired to create a fourth season to this wonderful franchise. I thought about each season individually then as a whole.
I was quite stuck on what my season would be called. I did some research and there were quite a few names for this season, but these were rumors at the time. When I saw these names I first attracted to American Horror Story: Black Widow, I really thought that the idea for it was really intriguing. However, I didn't think that it was strong enough for me to pull off, so that idea was then scrapped. I then saw Circus, I thought it was a little safe but still quite tough, I really did like this concept. I thought of all the scary and twisted things that they have in circus' and had back I'm the 50's and even earlier.
I thought about magic, like tarot cards, astrology, star signs and the other strange things that had. I thought this would be a winner for me to recreate. I used sources like that from Cirque De Soleil, as I wanted some contortionists in my piece and I didn't know any, so I decided to take a few little snippets from one of their performances and tweak it. Overall I was impressed with what I created.
For TV title sequences I looked at: American Horror Story season 1-3 (Murder House, Asylum and Coven). I really liked looking at these title sequences as it was a TV programme that I was familiar with and I could say quite a bit about each title sequence, and I did on my TV Title Sequence page. I then looked at a few other title sequences which I knew and liked these were: True Blood, Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, and Game of Thrones.
- For the film title sequences that was a little difficult as I thought of so many title sequences from films that I really liked. However, I noted down just a few and these ended up on my: Film Title Seuqence page, these films were: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The girl with the dragon tattoo, Edward Scissorhands, Final Destination 4, Beetlejuice and Spider-Man.
- I then looked into title sequence designers here I found many names such as: Pamela B. Green, Saul Bass, Kyle Cooper, Kuntzel & Deygas and a few others. I found that looking at title sequence designers, was really interesting as they had a variety of film title sequences which many of us will know, but didn't know who it was created by. I really liked that.
- I then looked into lens based work, ie: Fish eye lens, and Bokeh. I wanted to out this into my research page as I had brief experiments with both of these fields and thought it would be interesting to say something about each medium. I found that the fish eye lens was really interesting, I like the way that it makes a room look bigger than what it actually is. For the Bokeh, I again rather liked the technique. I think it was well with lights and rain.
- After I looked at the standard stuff as everyone else, I then did some research for my end outcome. Here I looked at a variety of things like: Tarot Cards, Astrology, Circuses, Family Trees, Incest, Witchcraft, Wicca, Freak Shows, Jersey Devil, Palmistry, Voodoo, the Moon, American Horror Story and Fonts. I rather liked the research for my end outcome as I thought that these listed above where really fascinating and very unusual to research.
- I was influenced by the American Horror Story programmes initially. I was really fascinated how they created such dark, sinister and truly beautiful work. I had started watching the third season first, which I grew to love and find really interesting. So I watched the first two season and was inspired to create a fourth season to this wonderful franchise. I thought about each season individually then as a whole.
I was quite stuck on what my season would be called. I did some research and there were quite a few names for this season, but these were rumors at the time. When I saw these names I first attracted to American Horror Story: Black Widow, I really thought that the idea for it was really intriguing. However, I didn't think that it was strong enough for me to pull off, so that idea was then scrapped. I then saw Circus, I thought it was a little safe but still quite tough, I really did like this concept. I thought of all the scary and twisted things that they have in circus' and had back I'm the 50's and even earlier.
I thought about magic, like tarot cards, astrology, star signs and the other strange things that had. I thought this would be a winner for me to recreate. I used sources like that from Cirque De Soleil, as I wanted some contortionists in my piece and I didn't know any, so I decided to take a few little snippets from one of their performances and tweak it. Overall I was impressed with what I created.
Investigation:
For this project, most of the work was primary and some was secondary sources. The primary sources are of someone (Charlotte) painting in white paint on black card here she is seen painting a Voodoo mark. I also filmed a few other various bits like this, I also added glitches to these so that it fitted with the music, the music was a secondary source as I really felt that the music for AHS (American Horror Story) was really interesting, and twisted. I wanted to keep the music for my own season. My other secondary sources where that of the contortionists and the men jumping of the wheels, from Cirque are Soleil, I found that these fitted really well with my theme of a circus. Another secondary source was the fire videos, I think that these also looked really well and fitted in with the theme as fire also played a big part. I also created various glitches and added grain to my videos to again, make it fit the mood and that it was there as a purpose fitting.
The typography for my title sequence was a secondary source as it was called ......... I chose this typeface as it was quite similar to that of the original AHS Seasons. I thought that it was visually striking and was quite easy to read. But with these mixed with my title cards and backgrounds for each, I think worked really well and were quite interesting.
The typography for my title sequence was a secondary source as it was called ......... I chose this typeface as it was quite similar to that of the original AHS Seasons. I thought that it was visually striking and was quite easy to read. But with these mixed with my title cards and backgrounds for each, I think worked really well and were quite interesting.
Initial Ideas:
My initial ideas came from the third season of AHS — Coven. I chose this an initial idea because I loved the twisted essence of each season, and how dark and yet beautiful it can be. I was initially drawn to the AHS season because of their interesting and dark title sequences. I think that their title sequences are really horrid and gruesome and sometimes grotesque but they are produced in such an artistic way, that it is a really interesting and pleasing to look at, and to the eye.
To create my own season for AHS, I thought at a variety of themes for my chosen season. I ended up at Circus' and their dark demeanor.
I like how that the AHS seasons change quite differently, the first one being called 'Murder House', you expect it all to be rather dark and quite scary however it is quite bright which is a really interesting juxtaposition which works really well. The title sequence for this was quite interesting, it was a little haphazard though. I did like the sequence, just it was a little strange and didn't really grab my attention. I think that putting some of their pieces into negative kind of lost me a little bit, I found it to be quite a boring effect. Other than that I really found this title sequence to be quiet interesting.
The second season being 'Asylum', is quite dark and scary and therefore works well with their theme of and plot at a mental asylum called Briarcliffe in 1964. I think that this season is particularly the scariest as the Asylum was very creepy and sinister, however it added to its charm of the programme, which I feel that it work really well. The title sequence for this was probably by far the creepiest one I'd seen. It was really dark, dingy and sinister, which I liked however it did make me a feel a little on edge when I watched a few episodes. I think that it being set in a 'mental hospital', gave it again the creepy feel towards the theme of the season, which was really well thought out and put together really well.
The third season is 'Coven', which is about witches and voodoo. I really liked this season as it was first time watching the franchise and I thought it was suburb. I loved way the whole programme was shot wonderfully well and it was really fascinating to hear about the Salem witch trails amongst other things. I think however, that this season title sequence was by far the best. I think that they finally released that the franchise was a big hit and decided to make this seasons title sequence much more interesting and better. Here we saw things from a Minotaur, witches, fire, jersey devil and many others.
To create my own season for AHS, I thought at a variety of themes for my chosen season. I ended up at Circus' and their dark demeanor.
I like how that the AHS seasons change quite differently, the first one being called 'Murder House', you expect it all to be rather dark and quite scary however it is quite bright which is a really interesting juxtaposition which works really well. The title sequence for this was quite interesting, it was a little haphazard though. I did like the sequence, just it was a little strange and didn't really grab my attention. I think that putting some of their pieces into negative kind of lost me a little bit, I found it to be quite a boring effect. Other than that I really found this title sequence to be quiet interesting.
The second season being 'Asylum', is quite dark and scary and therefore works well with their theme of and plot at a mental asylum called Briarcliffe in 1964. I think that this season is particularly the scariest as the Asylum was very creepy and sinister, however it added to its charm of the programme, which I feel that it work really well. The title sequence for this was probably by far the creepiest one I'd seen. It was really dark, dingy and sinister, which I liked however it did make me a feel a little on edge when I watched a few episodes. I think that it being set in a 'mental hospital', gave it again the creepy feel towards the theme of the season, which was really well thought out and put together really well.
The third season is 'Coven', which is about witches and voodoo. I really liked this season as it was first time watching the franchise and I thought it was suburb. I loved way the whole programme was shot wonderfully well and it was really fascinating to hear about the Salem witch trails amongst other things. I think however, that this season title sequence was by far the best. I think that they finally released that the franchise was a big hit and decided to make this seasons title sequence much more interesting and better. Here we saw things from a Minotaur, witches, fire, jersey devil and many others.
Techniques / Workshops:
For my techniques and workshops piece I looked at photographic image making in a group and on our own.
For our group work we did a multiple of different things. Our first piece of group work was looking at different shadows and highlights, I really like this piece of work as it was quite versatile and unique. I thought that was interesting to create the right sort of images that we wanted. I particularly liked the images of the skeleton, and the skulls. I just thought that these look very interesting and I am really impressed with these photographs.
Our next piece of group work was the fish eye experimentation. I thought that was a fun exercise, as we went around taking photographs using one of out fish eye lenses. I think that the fish eye lens gives a lot of depth to a photo, like one being taken in a beautiful cathedral, or church I think it would be a beautiful photo. I also like how the fish eye works, take a photograph say in a cathedral, it makes the cathedral bigger than what it actually appears which I think it a very interesting form of trickery.
We then had another group experiment which was Bokeh, I found again the bokeh to be really easy and interesting to use. I know how to set up a bokeh shot and where it would be best to place a bokeh shot like at night on a busy street, with lights in bokeh or in traffic (someone else takes the shot) and you see the cars' lights in a beautiful bokeh effect. Also I think this effect / technique works well with rain, I love bokeh when used on rain, I think it looks truly beautiful and has an interesting quality to it.
We then looked at experimentation with bubbles, this was a really strange and different experiment but we got some interesting results in the end. I think this work well as we had pvarious people doing various different things with this experiment. We had a few people placing the bubbles in an okay fashion, and another person taking the photos, I think that out photos in the end were very interesting. However, some were a little out of focus which was a little annoying, as it was quite difficult to focus on the bubble.
My own experimentation was in the UV / dark room. I wanted to experiment here as I thought that if my tarot cards would show up in the UV I would then use this into my title sequence. However, my tarot cards didn't show up in the UV room so I was quite disappointed as I knew how I would show them. I also used my Signs and Symbols book, which then glowed up under the UV lights. I was really happy when the book was vivid with colour, as I was going to put it then into my title sequence. I also took normal photographs in our studio of the skulls, voodoo marked paint. I think that overall my experimentation went according to plan and I got some usable photos and footage too.
For our group work we did a multiple of different things. Our first piece of group work was looking at different shadows and highlights, I really like this piece of work as it was quite versatile and unique. I thought that was interesting to create the right sort of images that we wanted. I particularly liked the images of the skeleton, and the skulls. I just thought that these look very interesting and I am really impressed with these photographs.
Our next piece of group work was the fish eye experimentation. I thought that was a fun exercise, as we went around taking photographs using one of out fish eye lenses. I think that the fish eye lens gives a lot of depth to a photo, like one being taken in a beautiful cathedral, or church I think it would be a beautiful photo. I also like how the fish eye works, take a photograph say in a cathedral, it makes the cathedral bigger than what it actually appears which I think it a very interesting form of trickery.
We then had another group experiment which was Bokeh, I found again the bokeh to be really easy and interesting to use. I know how to set up a bokeh shot and where it would be best to place a bokeh shot like at night on a busy street, with lights in bokeh or in traffic (someone else takes the shot) and you see the cars' lights in a beautiful bokeh effect. Also I think this effect / technique works well with rain, I love bokeh when used on rain, I think it looks truly beautiful and has an interesting quality to it.
We then looked at experimentation with bubbles, this was a really strange and different experiment but we got some interesting results in the end. I think this work well as we had pvarious people doing various different things with this experiment. We had a few people placing the bubbles in an okay fashion, and another person taking the photos, I think that out photos in the end were very interesting. However, some were a little out of focus which was a little annoying, as it was quite difficult to focus on the bubble.
My own experimentation was in the UV / dark room. I wanted to experiment here as I thought that if my tarot cards would show up in the UV I would then use this into my title sequence. However, my tarot cards didn't show up in the UV room so I was quite disappointed as I knew how I would show them. I also used my Signs and Symbols book, which then glowed up under the UV lights. I was really happy when the book was vivid with colour, as I was going to put it then into my title sequence. I also took normal photographs in our studio of the skulls, voodoo marked paint. I think that overall my experimentation went according to plan and I got some usable photos and footage too.
Idea Development:
For my idea development I created mind maps of films / tv programmes I could do to create my new title sequence. I created a list of old films that I could do, then I remembered it had to be a new / made up film or tv programme. So I went and thought long and hard about what I could possible make a title sequence for. I was then currently watching the third season of AHS. I really loved the programme, thought it was really interesting and thought I should recreate a fourth season for this wonderful programme. Whilst I was watching the recorded episodes of season 3: Coven, I kept rewinding the title sequence, I thought that this one was really interesting and it grabbed my attention. I kept watching and making possible notes of this title sequence.
I then researched into what the REAL fourth season was going to be called, however there was no luck. Then I stumbled across a website that had a list of names, these were: Black Widow, College, Circus and Beauty Queens. Overall I thought that each would make an interesting season. I was first drawn to that of Black Widow and Beauty Queens however I didn't know how I would create something so magnificent and to live alteast up to their title. I thought that College, was lackluster, it didn't make me feel passionate about it. So I then settled on Circus. I thought that this sounded more open and could have a variety of possibilities which I thought made it seem more interesting than the other names.
After I was finished creating my title sequence, I then heard more rumors speculating the possible name for the fourth season. Here the rumors were it was going to be called a Circus and that Jessica Lange, needed to polish up her German accent. I heard this and felt ecstatic. I thought that this was probably going to be a really interesting season if they do decided to follow up with the rumor.
I then researched into what the REAL fourth season was going to be called, however there was no luck. Then I stumbled across a website that had a list of names, these were: Black Widow, College, Circus and Beauty Queens. Overall I thought that each would make an interesting season. I was first drawn to that of Black Widow and Beauty Queens however I didn't know how I would create something so magnificent and to live alteast up to their title. I thought that College, was lackluster, it didn't make me feel passionate about it. So I then settled on Circus. I thought that this sounded more open and could have a variety of possibilities which I thought made it seem more interesting than the other names.
After I was finished creating my title sequence, I then heard more rumors speculating the possible name for the fourth season. Here the rumors were it was going to be called a Circus and that Jessica Lange, needed to polish up her German accent. I heard this and felt ecstatic. I thought that this was probably going to be a really interesting season if they do decided to follow up with the rumor.
Samples /Test Pieces:
For my samples and test pieces I mostly tried seeing what work under the UV light and if it worked, I was going to find an interesting way to incorporate it into my title sequence. Most of the thighs however worked and some did not, for the ones that didn't, I then had to find a new way of showcasing some of samples into it. I think that most things influenced my final design.
I knew that I needed it to be a really interesting, quirky and quite dark and I feel that I achieved that. I think with the samples / test pieces they did influence my end design as I also knew I needed to show that I had thought about each little detail for my title sequence.
I knew that I needed it to be a really interesting, quirky and quite dark and I feel that I achieved that. I think with the samples / test pieces they did influence my end design as I also knew I needed to show that I had thought about each little detail for my title sequence.
Design Development:
I ended up at my final design by looking at all three season of AHS (Murder House, Asylum and Coven) and applying little bits of each to mine. I kept the same music and I thought that their music was far superior than any others that I'd heard, I also liked the way it kept in time with the title sequences, almost like a metronome. I made sure that the title card was at the beginning this time, as I thought it would be different to the previous sequences and it made me realise what it was for again.
I then made sure that I did some of my work, then with a secondary source and kept alternating between the two. I found that it worked quite well for me to do and I was again pleased with what had been created. I also added the title cards for the actors and actresses in roughly the same place as the past sequences as I wanted that to be the same, and it would make people know that it was like the last seasons and wasn't that entirely different.
I also made sure than I had enough glitching in there for me and I also made sure it wasn't too overdone, and too much glitching. I also added grain to some videos / photos to give that old edge vibe and that it would be set in the past. I also thought about having the images and videos in black and white, dulling down the colour so that it would be quite dark and dingy. Overall I was quite pleased at how I arrived at my final idea and that it was roughly the same as I had imagined it, and sorry boarded it.
I then made sure that I did some of my work, then with a secondary source and kept alternating between the two. I found that it worked quite well for me to do and I was again pleased with what had been created. I also added the title cards for the actors and actresses in roughly the same place as the past sequences as I wanted that to be the same, and it would make people know that it was like the last seasons and wasn't that entirely different.
I also made sure than I had enough glitching in there for me and I also made sure it wasn't too overdone, and too much glitching. I also added grain to some videos / photos to give that old edge vibe and that it would be set in the past. I also thought about having the images and videos in black and white, dulling down the colour so that it would be quite dark and dingy. Overall I was quite pleased at how I arrived at my final idea and that it was roughly the same as I had imagined it, and sorry boarded it.
Final Outcome:
In my final outcome I used only one programme which was After Effects. I knew previously of how this programme worked and I liked the layout of how it was all set up so I was quick to get started. As stated above I started by finding the perfect AHS font and this was called ...... I chose this as it similar to that of the original font used and I liked the font too, I think it just adds that little bit more to the title sequence. I then made my background for each black, with the title card on top it looked quite striking. I then added a Tiki man, (photo taken from the UV room) next to my title. I then made both of these glitch, and I thought it looked very interesting and I was pleased to see it. I alternated between primary and secondary sources for my title sequence which I thought worked rather well. I think that my title cards for the actors and actresses worked again, rather well and I was pleased to see them.
The materials I used were: white paint, black card, skulls, books, and tarot cards.
The techniques I used were: glitching, and the use of grain.
I liked the way these worked together and that it looked quite fascinating to see. I judged the success of my title sequence by seeing how I could improve it. I know that knot everything we do is going to be perfect and that everything can be tweaked / changed. I looked at it again and again to pick faults mostly and to change things around and to maybe delete a glitch or to add one, or to add more grain. It mostly depended on how it worked to music also, I wanted it into be in time with the music and to not overpower it.
I think that my final design matched my story board. I simply knew what I wanted in and where I wanted it to go. I think that it helped to watch the past title sequences over and over to get a real feel for creating my own. It also helped by watching the seasons from the beginning and to think of other quirky, and scary like things that could potentially go into my recreation. Like that of incest, blood, fire, tarot cards, palm readers etc, I think that it just made it that more believable and that my main story went well with my final design. I am proud of what I had achieved in creating my own title sequence for a TV programme that might potentially come to life to Brad Falchuck and Sean Murphy.
The various changes I made were that of where should I put my secondary sources. I knew I needed them but I couldn't figure out where to put them. At first I put all my secondary sources next to each and that didn't look right at all so I had change the layout of my final design. In the end I settled on the alternating effect and I think that, that worked brilliantly and it looked more natural and wasn't too obvious that they were secondary sources.
I think that a variety of things from my title sequence could be improved and tweaked slightly. I wished that my tarot cards would have showed up under the UV light, I think that would have looked really interesting in my title sequence. I also wished I knew contortionists as that would have made it a little more interesting aswell, that they were primary and not secondary sources. For improvement I think I could have added more primary sources, to make it fully my own recreation of a title sequence. However I am still pleased with my final design / title sequence.
My strengths on this project I think would be that I had a full focused approach on knowing what I wanted to create. I knew already what I wanted to recreate a other season to AHS, why and how. I also knew how to add things into my sequence and I already had the knowledge of the programme of After Effects. I think that most of my work on this project was a strength to my abilities.
My weaknesses on this project would probably giving up after something went wrong, that the tarot cards didn't show up under the UV light. I should have taken that and worked with it, however I changed the idea for it. I also think that me not being able to finish it within a certain time, I should have given myself a specific deadline every time I worked on my title sequence to get as much done as possible within a day or week. Overall however, I think I did a good job and that I'm pleased with what I had created.
For my next project I know that I am going to set deadlines for each week to see how much I can get done, I also will write check lists and plans to keep myself fully up to date and motiviaited for each project and to myself. I will also persevere if something doesn't work right first time, I know to stop worrying about it and that it wouldn't work, I should change it, into a way that will work best for me.
The materials I used were: white paint, black card, skulls, books, and tarot cards.
The techniques I used were: glitching, and the use of grain.
I liked the way these worked together and that it looked quite fascinating to see. I judged the success of my title sequence by seeing how I could improve it. I know that knot everything we do is going to be perfect and that everything can be tweaked / changed. I looked at it again and again to pick faults mostly and to change things around and to maybe delete a glitch or to add one, or to add more grain. It mostly depended on how it worked to music also, I wanted it into be in time with the music and to not overpower it.
I think that my final design matched my story board. I simply knew what I wanted in and where I wanted it to go. I think that it helped to watch the past title sequences over and over to get a real feel for creating my own. It also helped by watching the seasons from the beginning and to think of other quirky, and scary like things that could potentially go into my recreation. Like that of incest, blood, fire, tarot cards, palm readers etc, I think that it just made it that more believable and that my main story went well with my final design. I am proud of what I had achieved in creating my own title sequence for a TV programme that might potentially come to life to Brad Falchuck and Sean Murphy.
The various changes I made were that of where should I put my secondary sources. I knew I needed them but I couldn't figure out where to put them. At first I put all my secondary sources next to each and that didn't look right at all so I had change the layout of my final design. In the end I settled on the alternating effect and I think that, that worked brilliantly and it looked more natural and wasn't too obvious that they were secondary sources.
I think that a variety of things from my title sequence could be improved and tweaked slightly. I wished that my tarot cards would have showed up under the UV light, I think that would have looked really interesting in my title sequence. I also wished I knew contortionists as that would have made it a little more interesting aswell, that they were primary and not secondary sources. For improvement I think I could have added more primary sources, to make it fully my own recreation of a title sequence. However I am still pleased with my final design / title sequence.
My strengths on this project I think would be that I had a full focused approach on knowing what I wanted to create. I knew already what I wanted to recreate a other season to AHS, why and how. I also knew how to add things into my sequence and I already had the knowledge of the programme of After Effects. I think that most of my work on this project was a strength to my abilities.
My weaknesses on this project would probably giving up after something went wrong, that the tarot cards didn't show up under the UV light. I should have taken that and worked with it, however I changed the idea for it. I also think that me not being able to finish it within a certain time, I should have given myself a specific deadline every time I worked on my title sequence to get as much done as possible within a day or week. Overall however, I think I did a good job and that I'm pleased with what I had created.
For my next project I know that I am going to set deadlines for each week to see how much I can get done, I also will write check lists and plans to keep myself fully up to date and motiviaited for each project and to myself. I will also persevere if something doesn't work right first time, I know to stop worrying about it and that it wouldn't work, I should change it, into a way that will work best for me.