Effective film opening: Example 3

Transporter - Opening Scene

Micro Features

Camera & Editing - The first shot is from a security camera view at a high angle, the shot is in night vision and the titles overlapping the opening scene is also in a night vision green font. The scene begins with a wide, establishing long shot of a car park. Slow panning is used around the car park leading up to a slow medium shot of a black car. Close-up shot is used to view the car panning from the back, to the side, to the drivers seat at an eye-line match so it looks as though the audience is sitting in the passenger seat. The pace of the continuity cuts begin to speed at the part where the driver begins to get ready to set off in his car. Close-ups of his gloves, watch and hands setting up his car and turning the radio on gives the feel of a visual instruction and beginning ritual of what he must do before he drives. Close up of the driver in the car park when he starts his car reveals to the audience what the driver (main character) looks like. Tracking and panning used as the car is driving along the city, movement of the camera is smooth and match-on-action cuts are also used. Over-the-shoulder-shot is used when the driver is at a stop at the traffic lights, over the shoulder view shows two policemen watching the driver. When the driver has pulled up outside a large building, the camera views a low angle looking up towards the clock on top of the building. Then the angle of the shot changes fast and dramatically and views at a high crane angle looking down at the robbers running out of the building doors. This gives a strong contrast and quick change of action that has suddenly happened.

Sound - Non-diagetic and diagetic sounds are used in this opening scene. Slow intense music is played in the beginning at the car park, Also camera/TV static malfunctioning voices are played over as the titles appear over the scene. The music grows slightly louder and the pace gets a little quicker as the camera moves towards the car, this is to build suspense into revealing who is in the car. Music stops suddenly as the title of the movie appears over the camera finally reaching the driver. The driver then turns on his radio playing classical music but then non-diagetic music plays when he starts driving. The music the audience hears at this point changes from classical to action type music. The dynamics of the music varies, it goes loud then quiet but the beat of the drums keeps the music sounding intense - this music may be used to play on the audiences emotions. The music is not parallel to the action, when the robbers come charging out of the bank with guns and money, the music stays calm and at a normal pace. The music may not be parallel to action but it may reflect upon how the main character feels and gives the audience an idea of the main character's attitude.

Lighting - Begins with night vision lighting then flashes to the actually lighting in the scene. The main key-lighting looks as though it is coming from the car park lights. In some areas of the car park, it is brightly lit and in others there is strong shadow. The car is black therefore it is very visible to see the car park lights reflecting off of it, this gives the car a more slick appeal to it. The driver's identity is hidden by dark shadows, only his face is lit slightly, this gives the character a sense of mystery.

Mise en Scene - Night vision from a security camera view represents surveillance which is in relation with the law, this shows that what is going to happen in the scene may or may not be illegal in the film. The leather gloves indicates that the main character does not want to leave fingerprints anywhere he touches. The main character is dressed in a smart suit. black and white. This may show that the character is presentable, smart, masculine and shows that he may be of a profession. A large bank which is filled with money could end up being robbed. The car with many gadgets such as the changing of licence plate has a 'James Bond' appeal to it.


Macro Features

Iconography - Guns, the weapons signifies the genre of action. The main character casted in the shadow in the car gives the character an identity of being mysterious. The location and city is usually where an action film takes place as the everyday things such as parked cars, people, police, city roads etc are seen or used as obstacles which trap someone from getting away. The use of intense music also reinforces the genre of action.

Genre - The Genre for this film is Action, this genre includes continuous high energy, physical stunts and activity and extended chase scenes. This opening portrays the beginning and preperation of a car chase, the main character is employed as the driver or 'Transporter' for the robbers traveling from the bank to safety. The main character in this genre is usually a male action hero/protagonist portrayed by very masculine actors. Classic action films such as 'James Bond' have a male character and the characteristics of this character is usuall well presented, the character in this film reinforces this image therefore connoting the typical 'hero' character.

Narrative - The narrative in this film is diagetic, this keeps the film realistic. Although we do not hear the voice of the main character until he speaks to the robbers near the end of the opening scene, this helps build suspsense and mystery of the main character.

Effective film opening: Example 2

Kick-Ass - Opening Scene

Micro Features

Camera & Editing - Titles are used firstly in the opening scene across a first person view shot flying through the sky. A high crane, establishing shot is used to show the location of the opening scene. Slow panning and tracking is used to follow what is happening in the scene. Matched cuts are used to keep the flow of the shots seem smooth. High angle shots are used from the lower crowd of people looking above at the superhero, this angle is used to represent that the superhero on top of the building seem to have a superior higher power than the people in the city streets. Slow zooms are used on the superhero to create a dramatic effect of the characters introduction. Close-ups are used on the super-hero in the opening scene to introduce him. When the scene location changes from the city to a high school, the shots changes to hand-held but still quite steady. Over shoulder shots and medium shots are used with the hand-held. This is used to make the audience feel more involved in the scene as it tracks and follows the main character as he enters the school. Camera pans onto the film title, gives the title introduction a comical effect like it swipes slowly onto the screen.

Sound - Non-diagetic sound is used to begin with as the titles appear on the screen. The music begins slow and calm, it sounds adventurous and hero like, a slow kind of fanfare to build up excitement to the characters introduction. Voice over narrative talking about old traditional superheroes play over the music, the voice sounds like a speech through an old microphone - gives an old fashioned feeling. The voice over narrative then changes to a teenage voice, the main character. Diagetic sound is used when the characters and location is established. The background music's pace is parallel to the action of the superhero, it grows louder and faster as he falls from the building. The music cuts off instantly when the superhero dies, this is done to create a sudden dramatic end to the superhero's life. When the location changes from city to high school, the non-diagetic music is playful, exciting music - It is a band music to represent high school.

Lighting - It appears to be natural lighting from the sun that shines down on the superhero and the other characters in the opening scene. The lighting is from high above, this gives the lighting a spotlight appeal to it. The bright light shines down on the people on the streets and it looks as though the source of light comes from the superhero on top of the building. When the location changes, the lighting is still bright. The light shines on the main character, this same use of lighting could show a relationship between the two characters, the teenage male main character and the superhero.

Mise en Scene - The clouds indicate that the camera view is in the sky flying. A large city landscape is usually where a superhero is based deep within, this shows the traditional setting for a superhero comic. Also the everyday career oriented people in the city comes across something different to their routine lifestyle is usually the basic plot for a superhero film. The superhero costume signifies that this film is about superheroes and the genre would be action as there would be many action in a superhero film. The main character wears big glasses, the glasses on the character gives the appeal that he is intelligent or shows the stereotype of him being a 'geek.'

Macro Features

Iconography - In one shot, the camera pans onto the license plate of the taxi with the title 'Kick-Ass,' the tail lights on the car are in shape of wings. This makes the title look almost like a superhero logo or symbol as many other traditional superheroes have an iconic symbol or logo e.g. Batman's logo is in the shape of a bat. This also reinforces the genre of superhero/action.

Genre - This film is from the Comedy and Action genre which is a hybrid genre. In the Comedy genre the main empasis is to evoke humor, typical Comedy gilms usually have a happing ending. Also these types of films put much more focus on an individual character in which this film opening has done; focusing on one character who is also the narrative, this shows the audience that this specific character is the main character of the film. The other sub-genre is action, this is represented through the core concept of a superhero film. Typical superhero films contains actioned packed fights. Although in this film opening there is no sign of action or violence but shows death of a superhero 'wanabe.'

Narrative - The narrative Kick-Ass' film opening follows the true conventions of the Comedy Genre; it begins as a 'Situation-Comedy' as the film is told within a narrative.

Effective film opening: Example 1

Blood Diamond - Opening scene

Micro Features

Camera & Editing - Begins with titles and facts fading slowly in and out in front of a map outline of Africa, this establishes where the location of the film is shot. Also it provides some facts that gives the audience a clue to what the plot is to the film. Extreme close-ups are used in some shots, e.g. when the main character is fishing on his boat, this shot is used to show the importance of what he is doing, it draws the audience attention to him. Medium shots when the characters are indoors in their home, this shows the audience how little space they have to live in. Many location/establishing shots are used in the beginning to establish the location and show the scenery, displays that the country is exotic and hot. Fast zooms are used when the action begins, the camera zooms fast into the killing of the innocent villagers. Fast pace cuts when the action occurs, this creates a dramatic and thrilling feeling.

Sound - Non-diagetic and diagetic sound is used throughout this opening scene. Music plays over the titles in the beginning, the music with the drums grow louder and faster as it gets to the end of the titles then cuts off when the scene begins - this gives the beginning of the scene a dramatic opening. The characters narratives varies from English to African with subtitles. This symbolise that there is a theme of contrast between English and African or Ethnicity throughout the film. The non-diagetic sounds are parallel to the action that occurs in the opening scene.

Lighting - The lighting used in this opening scene seem all come from a natural source, e.g. the lamp. A lamp is lit in the beginning shot and in the other shots the only source of light comes from the sun.

Mise en Scene - The props used symbolise many things in this opening scene. The lamp, tells us that the country or area which the characters live in is poor as they do not have access to electricity. Poor housing, the families houses are made from branches - all natural materials not man-made. This shows the audience that again, the area is poor or that the country is in poverty. The clothing also tells the audience about the poverty in which they live in as they can not afford better quality clothes. The main character is seen with his shirt unbuttoned, this may symbolise masculinity as the main male character is muscular and shows bare skin. He saves his family first before himself which shows heroism, he may be the hero in this film. The location of the film is exotic, calm and peaceful. But the sun shines bright and intense, this could symbolise that the peacefully scenery can be broken with intense conflict.

Micro Features

Iconography - Guns and weapons are used in this scene, this signifies that this film maybe in the genre of action. Conflict between innocent villagers and 'rebels' signifies that this film may also be in the genre of drama.

Genre - The genre for this film is Adventure/Drama. Adventure films consist of an exciting plot, new experiences or exotic locales. The Adventure genre is quite similar to action films, they are designed to provide an action-filled, energetic experience for the audience. The film creates a major male heroic star and the characteristics are that they are courageous often fighting for their beliefs and struggle for freedom in which this film portrays. In the beginning scene we see a heroic character saving his family from the rebels invading and killing the people living in the area.

Narrative - The narrative in the beginning of this film is all diagetic. The contrasting use of two languages the characters speak in establishes the location, also reinforces the conventions of the genre as the location of the film is set in an exotic country.

What makes a good opening to a film?

To make a good opening to a film, the opening scene must grab an audience's attention and keep them intrigued in order for them to carry on watching the film:

• There needs to be a hook, finding an interesting storyline that will keep a viewer watching the film.



• Characters, to keep the audiences interested in the characters. Possibly a character that anyone can relate to or a character that is very like-able.



• A cliff-hanger at the end of the opening scene would be good, especially for a horror opening scene as it keeps the audiences on the edge of their seats wanting to watch more to find out what happens next.



• Good Macro and Micro features.



• Macro - introduction of the characters, genre and narrative parts.



• Micro- good technical features to create a more professional appeal to the film, the quality of micro features effects everything in film making.

Brief

The brief that I have been given is to produce an opening scene to a movie from a chosen genre. It is going to be the maximum of two minutes. My understanding of techniques with a video camera, and an understanding that I have learnt (from analysing and researching preparation) will be portrayed within these two minutes. This video clip will include titles and an opening scene to the film. I will be working in a group of three, each person will be allocated with a specific role e.g one person within the group will be allocated a job role such as editing or director. Even though we will each have an individual role specifically chosen to work well with our strengths, we will all participate together and work as a group in order to complete the practical project.

Before I will begin this project, I will be looking back at my preliminary task and using that project as an influence and practice of camera work techniques and use of editing programmes which will be suitable for my horror opening trailer.

My Preliminary Task...