AS Media Opening Sequence Evaluation Question #3

In what way does your media product challenge conventions?

Opening Sequence Evaluation Question #2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Opening Sequence Evaluation Question #1

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Bracero Rushes

Bracero Soundtrack

When choosing a soundtrack for Bracero I was looking for a tense and simple piece of music which would evoke tension and emotion in the audience whilst fitting the scenes which unfold in the sequence. In the end I decided on a slow paced sound track consisting mainly of piano and string instruments. The soundtrack slowly builds in volume as well as amount of instruments as the opening sequence progresses. This gradual building helps to keep the audience on their seat and wanting to see more.

The Soundtrack:

Title Font Analysis

In order to achieve the style of font I use in my opening sequence I mixed 3 font styles into 1.

I took the rustic style of this font and put it into mine in order to create a weathered and western feel.

This font influenced the style of lettering I used in my font. Harsh edges and rigid upper case letters helped to create the rough approach I was looking for.

This font inspired me to add a slight shadow to my font in order to give a slight depth of field. This helped to create a more detailed and interesting font which fit the scenario of the sequence.

Bracero Costume and Prop List

Costumes:

Mexican Number 1 (Juan): Grey jumper, dark grey/black/green chinos, grey old adidas, red t-shirt.

Mexican Number 2 (Jose): Red jumper, black sweatpants (changes to blue jeans), dark brown shoes, red t-shirt.

Coyote: Grey hoodie, dark green gloves, blue jeans.

Props:

Mexican Number 1 (Juan): Flashlight.

Mexican Number 2 (Jose): Flashlight.

Coyote: Dark greek golf cart.

Pre-Production Checklist

Editing Bracero

This is a screenshot of me editing titles for my opening sequence. I had to choose a title font which represented the rough Mexican outback as well as the roughness of smugglers. I made the titles in the sequence appear in time with the soundtrack. This creates a more professional use of titles and is more dramatic.

This is a screenshot of me editing the soundtrack for my opening sequence. The soundtrack I used is very tense and dramatic. It has a slow tempo and has no vocals. It fits the tense atmosphere of the sequence and the events which unfold in it.

This is a screenshot of me selecting and cutting clips for my opening sequence. I had multiple angles of each shot and so had to select which different angles to use to make the final shot. I also had to make sure each of the individual shots were in the right place so that conversation flowed evenly.

Opening Sequence Shooting Location

I shot my opening sequence in the English Countryside. It was shot in the county of Hampshire and in the small town of Stockbridge. I chose to shoot in this location as certain areas of the dry landscape represented those you would expect to see in the rural landscape on the Mexico/America boarder. Shots were taking in both fields, forests and roads. This creates a more diverse viewing experience for the audience.

Bracero Cast

Mexican #1: Juan

Juan is the older one of the two Mexicans. He aims to make money in America and is the leading Mexican.

Played by: Jasper Hunt

Mexican #2: Jose

Jose is timid and has come only to accompany Juan. He too wants to find work in America.

Played by: Roop Arora

Coyotee:

He specialises in smuggling Mexicans across the border for a price. He does not talk much and has a dark background.

Played by: Arthur Bean

Audience Profiling

Bracero Camera Set-Up Diagrams

 These are the camera set-up diagrams from the shots I felt needed the most planning.

   

 

Bracero Storyboard

It was important to create a story board in pre-production in order to create a narrative using the shots I wanted to use.

I hand drew the storyboard focusing on the most important scenes. In order to give my actors the full idea of the lighting and time of day of each scene I added a colour scheme in Photoshop CS6. Blue represents scenes shot during the day whereas purple stands for night time scenes. The green represents grass and brown represents dirt roads. This allowed me to plan in advance what surfaces I would be shooting on and prepare gear in advance according to the surface of a scene. Finally the orange colour represents the sunset.

Bracero Script

Bracero Script

         1.  Ext. A gate on a road in Mexico. Evening.

Two Mexicans climb over fence and head into the forest. The sun has not set yet and all that can be heard is their footsteps.

         2.  Ext. Hill in forest. Evening.

Two Mexicans running up the hill and heading into the forest. Fear is  shown in their faces and actions.

         3.  Ext. Field. Sunset.

    

Time-lapse of sun setting in a field. Shows transition from evening to  night.

         4.  Ext. Edge of forest. Night.

Two Mexicans shown running out of forest. Fear in their faces. Appear to be tired from running.

         5.  Ext. Field. Night.

Different shots of two Mexicans panicking while walking over rough ground in a dark field at night. Mexicans are looking for a vehicle.

6. Ext. Field. Night.

Mexicans spot light from vehicle.

JAUN

                        Oh, you see.

7.  Ext. Field. Night.

Shot of vehicle. Two Mexicans heading towards it.

JAUN

                        Oh, he’s there. Let’s go, let’s go.

JOSE

                        Go, go.

JUAN

                        Hola.

COYOTE

                        Hello gentlemen.

JUAN

                        Hello, uh, we come.

COYOTE

                        Um, I guess so, sure.

JUAN

                        Lets go, lets go.

COYOTE

                        I’ll take you to the checkpoint, but that’s as far as I’ll go.

JUAN

                        Si, si.

8.  Ext. Vehicle. Night.

Shot of vehicle driving down dirt road at night. Also close-up shots of the two Mexicans and the coyote while driving.

9.  Ext. Vehicle. Night.

The vehicle has stopped.

COYOTE

                        This is as far as I can take you boys, your on your own from here, sorry.

JOSE

                        Muchos gracias.

JUAN

                        Muchos gracias.

10. Ext. Checkpoint. Night.

Two Mexicans with torches walking in the dark. Fear is still in their faces and they are trying not to be seen.

11. Ext. Checkpoint. Night.

    

First person view of Juan looking around with the torch.