Fan Opening Sequences
Fan Opening Sequences are much like AMVs. They tend to be created by fans of a show using the opening music from a show and re-edited with footage from the show. The main reason they are created are usually down to a fans dedication, however it can also help hone someones editing skills. To showcase a show in 30-60 seconds is no easy feat as an opening sequence is intended to grab a viewers attention and interest in checking out a show. I decided it would be a good way to test my own skills and opted to use the children's franchise Power Rangers to test myself. The main reason is the show is aimed at children, but the correct footage being used can help to interest older viewers also.
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers - Opening
Using the second series and original six line up I decided to try and create an opening that would have a nostalgic feel to viewers. Now that Power Rangers is over 20 years old, the majority of the original target audience are now in the late 20s and early 30s. Using effects similar to what they would have used in the 90's for a children's TV show, I created the following opening.
While I tried to keep a nostalgic feeling I did repeat the lightning bolt strike during the six ranger's credits in the background to allow me to create a more varied image for the viewer.
Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie - Opening
For my next opening I decided to look towards the second Power Rangers movie which acted as an opening story to the series Power Ranger Turbo. Where it was a movie it never had an opening like the TV series, so using only footage from the movie and the opening music to the following series I created the following opening sequence.
The main issue I found making this video is the simple fact the Yellow Turbo Ranger does not have much action on screen at all. So having limited options I had to settle for a part where she was being beaten by her foes. However the lyrics did help with footage showcasing the other characters outside of the Rangers. The lyrics went "Evil take a walk, rangers set to rock" Using the first half I featured Hilary Shepard Turner as the main villain Divatox and for the second part Austin St John and Amy Jo Johnson were featured, two past Rangers that returned for the movie.
Power Rangers Wild Force - Opening
My next opening would focus on Power Rangers Wild Force. I chose this one as the Ranger's helmets were effectively animal version of the original Power Rangers. Their helmets were effectively the heads of the animals they represented much like how Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers used Dinosaurs. One issue however was the opening music featured sound effects just as animal cries and explosions.
What I did do was match the animal sounds to the Rangers credits in the opening. This then linked their theme animal to the music. The rest of the sound effects I simply tried to match with imagery as best as I could.
Power Rangers Mystic Force - Opening
With Power Rangers Mystic Force I got more ambitious. I created coloured bordered frames to feature all the primary cast along with a matching coloured framed image of the series symbol. With the mystical sounding start I wanted to capture some of the more mythical side of the series only to jump into fast paced imagery.
When the titles appeared I used a blur effect to emphasis the magic behind the series and how effects were used pretty well in the series. I also aimed to achieve rapid cut sequences at the beginning and towards the end to match the rapid beat of the music.
Power Rangers Dino Charge - Opening
Power Rangers Dino Charge was a challenge I couldn't pass up. With a total of nine Rangers appearing in the series I knew creating a varied and interesting opening would be a challenge. The first opening I made focused on only the first five and then I made another opening after featuring all nine.
For the first opening I used the music from the show which included sound effects once again. With this challenge I simply looked for moments that matched the sound effects better than they did in my Power Rangers Wild Force Opening. Additionally at the end before the series titles appeared I did a rapid cut from various scenes where the Rangers prepare for battle.
For the second opening I got the music without the sound effects included. By doing this it allowed me to focus on capturing moments in the footage with a specific beat or with the lyrics of the song. I also used cropping on this video to avoid distorting the faces of the Rangers during the credits.