Thursday, 10 February 2011

Meeting 1: Secondary research film openings

We watched 4 different film opening of different genres to get an idea about what types of codes and conventions to include in an opening.

The films that we looked at were:

Cape Fear (1991) thriller


  • Music, with brass instruments, used to build up tension and anticipation in the audience to make them wonder what will happen next.
  • Reflection of water, which is coloured dark orange, creates a fearful atmosphere.
  • The production logo represents the film company. The logo turns to water effect, which gives the audience an idea about what will happen next.           
  •  As the first shot of the water comes up on screen, the music begins with a loud sound, it then becomes slow and quiet and slowly builds up to fast and loud, creating tension and fear among the audience.

Rain man (1988) Drama

  •  MGM logo comes up on the screen, well known company.
  • After the logo fades, the screen stays black for a while and then white titles in black and white fade onto the centre of the screen slowly in capital letters.
  • Screen fades from black to an establishing shot, and title of film appears, showing that the film is beggining.
  • Music starts to play as we see a red car, music is fast, upbeat and energetic suggesting a busy atmosphere.
  • Main character is established and perceptions can be made about him from his appearance and the music playing.




Somethings gotta give is a 2003 film starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson

 

Title sequence:
  • Production company logo comes up on the screen
  • Upbeat, dance style music played in conjunction with females walking in slow motion.
  • Emphasis is placed on the females walking along the road, in attractive clothing, it draws the audience into the action that is taking place.
  • Actors names are in capital letters
  • The character titles are shown on either side of the screen to emphasise opposition between the opposite sexes, representing binary opposition.
  • Dialogue begins over titles.


Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 horror comedy film


Title sequence:                   Shaun of the dead opening credits


  • Production company logo shown first, in conjunction with music and dialogue, slowly rising from a low volume to a high volume.
  • Music is a sci- fi, eerie style, which relates to the Horror genre.
  • Title of film matches the genre of the film.
Juno is a 2007 comedy drama film



Title sequence:
  • Film begins with an extreme wide shot to emphasise how lonely the main character is.
  • It then becomes a wide shot and then a close up, so that the audience can see the expression on her face.
  • The title sequence is in an animated form, music is playing alongside the sequence
  • Actors and characters names are placed near objects or places that define them in the film.

Below is a clip of the title sequence for Juno





Love Actually 

 


 




No comments:

Post a Comment