The Lion King (childrens)
Straight away you can tell that this film is an animation which is a theme usually linked with childrens films. The fact that all the characters we see are animals give the impression that the narrative will be animal based, also the animals have human characteristics and seem to be comunicating with each other which tells the audience that the animals are the main characters and will be taking the emotional roles of humans, this further assumes the childrens genre as animals are often seen as childrens characters and the fact its set in Africa makes it seem exciting.
We can tell the setting from the start, the image of the sun rising over the savanna is an iconic one, its also something we dont see in our culture so it makes it seem for the children its aimed at like an adventure which draws the audience in because its something new that they wouldn't usually experience. The musica adds to the cultural change and the exotic feel, the loud call and response at the start is a very common convention of African music and is very regognizable. This call and response is also in a different language which automatically transports the audience to a different culture. Not much happens in this opening but the narrative is hinted at and it draws the audience in as they are left asking questions like why are all the animals there and what is the significance of that one lion.
Friday 27 January 2012
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Film opening research
Se7en (thriller)
In this film opening the audience are left asking more questions than have been answered, by doing this the director has drawn the audience in as they want to find out what the significance of the opening is in relation to the rest of the film.
It is established from the start that this film is going to be a horror through the use of quick cuts and low key lighting, you can also tell this from the suspense built from the soundtrack. Its in a minor key which is associated with bad feelings and the use of low sustained strings puts the audience on edge. It is suggested that this film is going to be a psychological thriller from the images in the opening. the images are scattered and cut in and out this suggests that instability and confusion is going to be a running theme through the film. The use of the razor and disturbing drawings give the idea that the narrative will be a violent one, although this isn't confirmed as nothing physical happens in the opening.
All the writing in the books is similar to the scene in 'The Shining' which is another classic psychological thriller/horror. This further confirms the genre and gives an idea of the narrative as, if people have seen 'The Shining' they know what thats about and can decide if they want to watch the film. The titles in this film are really good and sit well within the opening and relate to the credits and the suggested narrative as the font is spikey and scattered which fits well with in the music. They are also quite inconsipuously placed which suggests that the narrative is going to be more important than the actors. All of the actors are very big names which makes it more likely to bring in a mass audience which wouldn't usually be very easy to acheive with a thriller genre. All of these things draws the audience in but leaves them asking questions as nothing about the plot is given away but some hints to the narrative are.
In this film opening the audience are left asking more questions than have been answered, by doing this the director has drawn the audience in as they want to find out what the significance of the opening is in relation to the rest of the film.
It is established from the start that this film is going to be a horror through the use of quick cuts and low key lighting, you can also tell this from the suspense built from the soundtrack. Its in a minor key which is associated with bad feelings and the use of low sustained strings puts the audience on edge. It is suggested that this film is going to be a psychological thriller from the images in the opening. the images are scattered and cut in and out this suggests that instability and confusion is going to be a running theme through the film. The use of the razor and disturbing drawings give the idea that the narrative will be a violent one, although this isn't confirmed as nothing physical happens in the opening.
All the writing in the books is similar to the scene in 'The Shining' which is another classic psychological thriller/horror. This further confirms the genre and gives an idea of the narrative as, if people have seen 'The Shining' they know what thats about and can decide if they want to watch the film. The titles in this film are really good and sit well within the opening and relate to the credits and the suggested narrative as the font is spikey and scattered which fits well with in the music. They are also quite inconsipuously placed which suggests that the narrative is going to be more important than the actors. All of the actors are very big names which makes it more likely to bring in a mass audience which wouldn't usually be very easy to acheive with a thriller genre. All of these things draws the audience in but leaves them asking questions as nothing about the plot is given away but some hints to the narrative are.
Saturday 21 January 2012
Film opening research
The Notebook (romantic)
The Notebook is a romantic film and has the opening to fit the specifications of this genre. The genre is quickly established in the opening from the use of the lake and sunset and an establishing shot on these natural features, both things with romantic connotations. The lake also establishes the setting quickly, the audience knows that the film will probably be set somewhere rural due to all the open space and foliage. The music is in a major key which automatically gives a feeling of happiness and love. But there is a minor bass melody being played underneath, this paired with the slow tempo gives an ominous feel to the opening and makes the audience question will the narrative be a happy one throughtout.
The use of slow motion throughout the opening gives the idea that time will be a strong theme running through the narrative of the film and when the older female character is introduced at the end the audience is led to believe that she is the main character as she is the only person we see but it also leads to alot of questions such as why is she there alone? And who is she? This makes the audience think that the films use of time will be looking at her time and how she ended up where she is. The cast and crew credits are very small and subtle. this connotes that the narrative is going to be focused more on the story and emotions of the film rather than the actors in it.
I like this film opening. the peaceful music that runs through establishes the romantic theme through its mixture of timbre and tempo. The opening gives an idea of what the narrative will be about but by not showing us many characters or any actual narrative or speech it intices the audience and makes them ask questions, hooking them into the film.
The Notebook is a romantic film and has the opening to fit the specifications of this genre. The genre is quickly established in the opening from the use of the lake and sunset and an establishing shot on these natural features, both things with romantic connotations. The lake also establishes the setting quickly, the audience knows that the film will probably be set somewhere rural due to all the open space and foliage. The music is in a major key which automatically gives a feeling of happiness and love. But there is a minor bass melody being played underneath, this paired with the slow tempo gives an ominous feel to the opening and makes the audience question will the narrative be a happy one throughtout.
The use of slow motion throughout the opening gives the idea that time will be a strong theme running through the narrative of the film and when the older female character is introduced at the end the audience is led to believe that she is the main character as she is the only person we see but it also leads to alot of questions such as why is she there alone? And who is she? This makes the audience think that the films use of time will be looking at her time and how she ended up where she is. The cast and crew credits are very small and subtle. this connotes that the narrative is going to be focused more on the story and emotions of the film rather than the actors in it.
I like this film opening. the peaceful music that runs through establishes the romantic theme through its mixture of timbre and tempo. The opening gives an idea of what the narrative will be about but by not showing us many characters or any actual narrative or speech it intices the audience and makes them ask questions, hooking them into the film.
Film Opening Research
Billy Madison (comedy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFuU8b_6xnQ
To watch this opening click the link above.
The idea of a film opening is to give the audience an idea of whats to come in the film. It should give hints to things like the genre, characters, historical context, the narrative, setting and themes of the film. These can be shown through the music, the credits and the small amount of narrative shown. It should not give away the story line or too much about the characters otherwise there will be no intrigue or incentive for the audience to keep watching.
The music at the start of the film is in a major key and is light and fast, this connetes that the film is going to be a comedy and the characters are going to be portrayed as light hearted and fun. the black out screen with the inital titles don't give anything away, the font is rounded and large which connotes immaturity and the black background means we dont know anything about the setting or the characters yet. As soon as the first scene is shown the audience can tell its set in a hot place due to the swimming pool and the weather, it also suggests wealth as the water features look like they are made of an expensive stone.
The font of the titles is curly and child like. This connotes the genre will be comedy as they usually appeal to a younger audience. It also gives an idea of the narrative, it's suggested that the narrative will be about an immature or child like character. We are introduced to the main character in the opening, we see the main title character, Billy Madison, as Adam Sandlers name comes up on the credits. Sandler is a well known comedy actor so this further confirms the genre and confirms who the main character is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFuU8b_6xnQ
To watch this opening click the link above.
The idea of a film opening is to give the audience an idea of whats to come in the film. It should give hints to things like the genre, characters, historical context, the narrative, setting and themes of the film. These can be shown through the music, the credits and the small amount of narrative shown. It should not give away the story line or too much about the characters otherwise there will be no intrigue or incentive for the audience to keep watching.
The music at the start of the film is in a major key and is light and fast, this connetes that the film is going to be a comedy and the characters are going to be portrayed as light hearted and fun. the black out screen with the inital titles don't give anything away, the font is rounded and large which connotes immaturity and the black background means we dont know anything about the setting or the characters yet. As soon as the first scene is shown the audience can tell its set in a hot place due to the swimming pool and the weather, it also suggests wealth as the water features look like they are made of an expensive stone.
The font of the titles is curly and child like. This connotes the genre will be comedy as they usually appeal to a younger audience. It also gives an idea of the narrative, it's suggested that the narrative will be about an immature or child like character. We are introduced to the main character in the opening, we see the main title character, Billy Madison, as Adam Sandlers name comes up on the credits. Sandler is a well known comedy actor so this further confirms the genre and confirms who the main character is.
Friday 20 January 2012
The difference between film openings and film trailers
A film opening and film trailer have many distinct differences yet they are very easilly and often confused.
Ultimately a film trailer tells the audience the plot and out come of the film in carefully chosen clips from the whole film. It will include the name of the film, usually at the end and will possibly have the director and main actors but is very unlikely to include any other information about the film like producers and editors. Here is an example of a film trailer. It tells the audience that its about the film and gives an idea of the genre, characters and plot. It doesn't leave much to the imagination for the audience but entices the audience into watching further. It also shows the big name star, Daniel Radcliffe which is another big factor in bringing people in to see the film.
A film opening, on the other hand is like the introduction to a film. It is preparing the audience for the whole film, it often establishes the setting, the era and the genre. It is also the time where mise and types of editing is shown and where theatrical themes are established. Generally not much happens in a film opening. This is because its meant to hook the audience in, make them interested, build suspense and make them ask their own questions and make them make their own assumptions and predictions for the film. another reason not much narrative is revealed in the opening of a film is because this is where the opening credits are, the credits give details of the most important cast and crew, it is a legal requirement for this to happen in modern films to make sure people get the recognition they deserve for their work. If too much happened while the credits were coming up the narrative could distract from the credits and visa versa. Here is an example of a film opening. Not much narrative happens in this opening but the scene is set. The setting is esablished and we are given an idea of themes and characters. The main thing is the credits
Ultimately a film trailer tells the audience the plot and out come of the film in carefully chosen clips from the whole film. It will include the name of the film, usually at the end and will possibly have the director and main actors but is very unlikely to include any other information about the film like producers and editors. Here is an example of a film trailer. It tells the audience that its about the film and gives an idea of the genre, characters and plot. It doesn't leave much to the imagination for the audience but entices the audience into watching further. It also shows the big name star, Daniel Radcliffe which is another big factor in bringing people in to see the film.
A film opening, on the other hand is like the introduction to a film. It is preparing the audience for the whole film, it often establishes the setting, the era and the genre. It is also the time where mise and types of editing is shown and where theatrical themes are established. Generally not much happens in a film opening. This is because its meant to hook the audience in, make them interested, build suspense and make them ask their own questions and make them make their own assumptions and predictions for the film. another reason not much narrative is revealed in the opening of a film is because this is where the opening credits are, the credits give details of the most important cast and crew, it is a legal requirement for this to happen in modern films to make sure people get the recognition they deserve for their work. If too much happened while the credits were coming up the narrative could distract from the credits and visa versa. Here is an example of a film opening. Not much narrative happens in this opening but the scene is set. The setting is esablished and we are given an idea of themes and characters. The main thing is the credits
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