Analyse of Opening Sequences

A film that I felt appealed to the same target audience was ‘Twilight’ the opening of the film used different techniques to establish the narrative of the film. To create the right affect they used different camera shots and angles to put across the feeling. The first shot used is a title crane movement using this helps to make a dreaming effect, making this effect helps to fit in with the genre of the film.

Seen here, as well as creating the effect

done by the way in which it moves slowly. It has the audience looking down on the deer making it look small and it also is showing it thought Edwards point of view.

This effect is broken when they use a hand held camera, this effect is used when some one is running, and this is shown by having the camera moving quickly which makes the image blurry making the running seem too fast. Using this effect builds up the pace of the opening, in which it is important to build up the plot and get the audience interested in what is happening, by not being able to see the person running.  Using the point of view shot with this helps to gain the audiences interested by not being able to see who the person is. At the start when they are in the forest used is a pull focus on the deer doing this makes the rest of the set blurry giving it a surreal effect. When the scene cuts to the character Bella they use more mid shots of her and eye line match. Using these makes the scene came across as more real, compared to the scene before using this helps to give the audience a better understanding as to what is going to happening and what type of genre the film is going to be.

Here you have a close up of Bella with her looking at the camera. Using a close up of her shows that she is an important character, this is also the first character that the audience has seen which backs up that she is an important character. She is looking into the camera which helps the audience to connect with her and understand what type of persons she is. The use of camera work I found was important in setting the scene and giving the audience an understanding of what the plot is, introducing the characters.

The editing used also reflects this with at the beginning when they are in the wood they use fast paces editing which is used when the deer is being chased. Using this editing makes the action faster, doing this builds the narrative and is shown to be unusual by the use of continually editing used when Bella is in the scene. Using the two different techniques help to give the audience information on what the film may be about. Also when the character Bella is shown the editing used makes her became the main character doing this tells the audience who the film will be focusing on. This is used also when the character Edward comes into the shot before the audience are able to see him the sun light comes down and there is a transition which snaps to white this is used to change the scene.

Here you see him just before it changes scene, using this transition keeps the allusions about who he is. This also highlights the difference in location being the first had little light and then the second having lots of light. The use of transition is used when the title appears with the change in location. Here they use a fade do this which fades at the same time the title dose. The editing plays an important part being that it sets the pace of the opening and givens the audience information on the relationships.                       

 

The main sound used is non-diegetic with the audience being able to hear her thoughts this gives the audience an understanding of the character. Using this technique fits in with the style of the film. Bella’s soliloquy starts before the action begins doing this shows that the voice speaking is important to the story. When she starts speaking during the forest this is a preface to the narrative giving the audience an understating to what is going to happen it also links into what it happening in the forest. Then when the scene changes her soliloquy then becomes about what is happening introducing the audience what is happening in the narrative. With this though to keep the audience focusing on what she is saying not much is happening in the action. When the scene beings in the forest there are ambient sounds used of birds these sounds help to create verisimilitude, making the scene more believable because what is happening is unrealistic. The noise that they put in fits in with the feel of the scene, building the dreaming effect that they created.

The mise-en-scene used fits in with the effect that is created with the location used when they are in the forest. They create this location be using lots of greens doing this helps the audience to know where it is set.

In the location they are different shades of green which help to make it come across as real. Also they add in fog which helps to show what type of location it is.To fit in with the location they use low key lighting to create the effect that they are in a forest. Using this light and location helps the audience gain an idea as to what is happening. When the location changes the lighting became high key this shows the difference between the two locations. Showing the difference between the two places is important to the story, it allows the audience to have an idea of the background of the character.

The costume that Bella has shows the audience the type of person that she is. Keeping the colours plain showing how she does not want attention, where as her Mum is wearing a hat which shows that she is outgoing. The costumes used give the audience information about what the characters will be like.

The narrative for the opening is told thought Bella’s soliloquy. Doing this meant that the audience are able to connect with the character and gain her view on what is happening. She tells the audience what is happening giving them the plot of the story. The camera shots used match in with what she is saying, doing this helps show the audience what she is talking about. The camera work also helps to put across what they are being told. Such as when you are having the chase the camera techniques used show this to the audience creating pace to the scene. The music also reflects what is happening, when Bella is leaving to catch the aeroplane the music used fits in with how she if feeling and what is happening. The narrative is told to the audience though different way so that they audience are able to gain the best view as to what is happening.

The conventions that are shown to the audience from the opening are about the plot. We are told that there are issues with her parents which is a plot that is found in most teen films to go with this she is going though changes, in that she is moving. This is a convention that is found in most teen films with the character going though a change or the story having them moving some where new and what happens to them. The age of the character is convention to in that most teen films have the character the same age as the audience so that they can content with them. Though the mise-en-scene of the way in which she looks breaks the conventions being that she has plain costume. This breaks the conventions in that she is going to be the leading lady in the film and is meant to reflect the stereotypical way in which teenage girls look.

Another film that I found that fits in with the teen film genre was ‘10 Things I Hate About You’. From the camerawork used you gain an understanding of what the genre is and the plot of the film. The first shot used is an establishing shot; showing the audience the setting, doing this gives them a better idea of what is going to happen.

The camera then pans around to giving the audience a better idea to where the film is set, using this movement it help to create the effect for a pleasant place. They use a mid shot of the girls dancing in the car this allows the audience to see what they look like and what they are doing, using this shot helps to back up the mise-en-scene giving the audience an idea as to what the characters are like.

As well as this they use close ups to show the reactions of the character, this is important as there is no dialogue and the audience need to see the reactions of the character to tell the audience the plot of the film and the relationships the characters have. Also in the opening they use a tilt to show the school, doing this build on the genre. The shot shows the location to the audience helping them know what type of film this is. The camera also follows the main character Cat, this is so the audience knows how the film is going to be able making her the focus of the film. Using this movement givens an understanding of the character showing her to be in control and powerful as the camera is following her. I found that the camera work used in the opening is very much to show the audience the location and introduce the main character.

The editing used is continuity editing, using this helps to make the story flow better helping the audience to gain an understanding as to what is happening.
The titles that are put in fit in with the target audience being that they are using a teen style writing done in a scribble way. The titles used are put over the action happening doing this makes the titles stand out; they are also put in the centre which help the audience take note of them. When the two cars are sat at the lights they put in an insert of the cars using this gives the audience a different view of what is happening and they are able to see the way in which the cars starts. This gives the audience a understanding of the character though the way in which the car moves. They then use a jump cut going from the cars to the school using the technique lets the audience know where the cars went with out having to show it to them. The use of editing helps tell the story and gives the audience a better understanding of what is happening and what may happen next.

The sound used fits in with the genre of the film, which can be heard by the music, the music starts when the action starts doing this makes the film flow better. The songs used are popular teen music which makes the film appeal to the teen audience. The song changes when the character Cat comes in changing it to a more upbeat song that fits in with her character, doing this gives the audience a better understanding of what the character is like. There is little dialogue in the scene and the reaction to the change in music is mimed doing this puts effect on the music playing and showing the reaction in mime helps the audience to understand the character better. They also use ambient sounds to help create verisimilitude. When they go to the school they have the hockey noises as they characters are playing hockey doing this create verisimilitude having the background noises help to set the scene and give an idea of the location.                                    

The mise-en-scene is used to help the audience to know what the film is going to be about. The cars used help to show the audience the type of character they are.

With the first car is clean and new, which reflects the type of people. The people in the car are the stereotypical people in teen film this can be seen though mise-en-scene by what they are wearing being flowery and styles clothes, using these characters show the genre of film it is. Then we see the other car it’s old and the character reflects this with her clothes being pain and dark using theses colours show the audience the type of character she is. Putting her next to the other girls clearly shows the type of person she is and how the film is using stereotypical school groups. This also givens them an idea as to what might happen. When they show the school most people are wearing blue using this colour makes the character Cat stand out as she walks though. Using one colour for the extras make them blend into the background, also it helps the audience know that they are at a school.

The narrative of the story from the opening is told though the music used as it fits in with the genre of the film. The change in the music helps to tell the story being that it gives the audience information about the character in which helps the audience to build an understanding to what is going to happen. What they are told by the music is reflected by the use of the acting with the reaction that they have to Cat, this tell the audience the relationship that the characters have and gives them information about the character and shows that they are going to be the main character. There is also the prom poster in which it tells the audience what is leading up in the film and from this they can put together an idea as to what is going to happen. When Cat pulls the poster down this tells the audience the type of character she is and what is going to happen in the film.

The opening uses lots of convention in which they are targeting the teen audience with. The ages of the characters are conventional in that they are similar to the audience so that they can connect with them and the ways in which the characters look, following the convention of a teen film putting them into social groups. To go with this the setting fits in with the convention being at a school this fits in with the age of the characters and the plot doing this help the audience to connect to the characters and fits in with the plot and theme of the film. Such as with the prom, in which the story line can be found in most teen films, showing it from the opening makes it appeal to the audience being that they know what is going to happen.

The opening of ‘What a Girl Wants’ uses camerawork to tell the audience the location. They do this following a butterfly, using this shows the type of film that it will be and helps to link the images together.

Being that as the camera follows the butterfly it focuses on main buildings that the audience will recognise such as the Empire State Building. Doing this the audience knows where the film will be set. The camera then tilts to become the reality which is shown with an establishing shot, showing where the film is set through the mise-en-scene. The camera zooms in on the main character doing this shows that she is the most important person in the scene, using this technique it helps the audience know who to focuses on. I found the use of camerawork was to introduce the audience to the location using long and mid framing to show elements that will help the audience to know were the film is set.       

The editing used is continual editing, using this help the audience to follow the narrative of the film.

The titles use stand out from what is happening in the back ground. The titles used are a modern style doing this helps the audience know what age they are targeting the film at. They change the positioning of the titles, doing this helps not to distract from the film. When it becomes reality they use a wipe to show the change to the audience and that the film is starting. They also use a jump cut going from the photo to her bedroom, using this help to keep the film going and the change in the location. I found the editing used in the opening was many continual and did jump around doing this helps the audience to gain an understudying of what is happening.          

I found that in the opening there was lots of ambient sounds to help create verisimilitude and setting the locations. Such as in the opening with the butterfly they put in the sound of the wind to create the verisimilitude that this is why it’s flying. Then when they are in the street they use the sounds of people, cars and bikes to create the location and help the audience to know what its like their. Through over the top of this you have the main character telling the audience about her life and where they are. In the thought tracking the audience gain an understanding of what is going to happen in the film. The music at the start also tells the audience about what is going to happen in the film. The type of sound used is upbeat and creates a happy atmosphere, doing this tells the audience as to what the film is going to be about. The only voice used is the mums, this is because later the character becomes older and this would mean that her voice would be different. Using the mums voice shows the audiences the relationship that the two characters have.                   

The mise-en-scene used helps the audience to get an understanding of the film. The butterfly that is used at the start is colourful with the buildings and everything else’s is dull. Doing this sets up what type of film its going to be. When the location is shown the audience is able to see Chinese singers, putting this in helps to create the location clearly showing the audience were the film is set. The costumes used also fit in with this with the people in the street wearing plain clothes so not to stand out to the audience.

Where as the main characters are wearing red doing this makes them stand out from the other characters in the film. Using bright colours makes them stand out and the helps the audience to know who the main characters are. I found that the way in which they use the mise-en-scene help the audience to clearly know were the film is set and how the characters are.

The narrative of the film is told in different ways to make sure that the audience gain a better understanding of story line. With the music used fits in with the genre and help to tell the audience how the characters are going to behave in the film. Then with the opening you are shown the location clearly thought the use of mise-en-scene and the camerawork. The location is important to the film being that it helps the audience to know were the film is set and from this you can gain an understanding of what might happen. You can tell most of the information though the mains characters through tracking, using this lets the audience connect to the character. Thought this the audience learns about the characters past and from this can build an idea on what is going to happen.                            

The convention used in this film are like the others, in the plot that are being problems at home. Using this plot follows the convention in that this type of story can be fond in many teen films. The other convention seen in the opening is that is set in New York. Most teen films are found to be set in American this is as the issues shown in them and the way in which society is, fitting in with the way Americans work and that these films have a larger audience over in American than in the other courtiers. This were the only convention I found in the opening of the film but as the film goes on they becomes more converntional which helps the audience to connect with the character.