GENERAL FILM OPENING CONVENTIONS

This is my video basically explaining what I have learned about the general conventions of film openings from my previous research. In this video I look at narrative enigma, Over the shoulder shots and establishing shots. 

FILM OPENING 7 EG - Four lions

Four Lions(Chris Morris , 2010)
Produced by Warp films, Channel Four films; distribution: Capelight Pictures, Dafthouse Films
Budget:£2.5m
Box Office:  £2.7 (UK) $4.7m (World) $30.2k (USA)

In the first frame we are presented with a slight tilted shot which could connote that something isn't right within the scenario in which we are presented. The low resolution of the image is denoting that this scene is filmed using a cam corder, this is also signified by the tilted framing. The loosely hanging sheet, unevenly hung shown by the sag lines connotes the amateurish nature of the character/characters. This medium shot, even though clumsily done still fits the rule of thirds. This centred young 20 something Asian male is wearing vaguely militerianistic clothing (boots and combat trousers), signifies that the meaning behind this shot is do do with violence or war. He is also wearing a black bandanna with white Arabic script on it which could connote that religion is a central theme in this film.  His shaven head links to the army uniform which anchors the idea of violence due to the multiple signifiers of the military. We associate all these factors to a suicide bombers video which denotes that the genre will be a serious/political drama, except for the small fact of the man's short well kept beard which is not what we expect, as we presume that he would have a long traditional beard. This signifier goes against the idea of a serious drama. The line "sit properly….." signifies the comedy element to this piece. Also the southern and Bradford accents that we hear is not what we would expect as we would suspect this to be set in Afghanistan. This short take of 17 seconds works for a younger audience as it is quick, snappy and emphasises the comedic aspects in this scene. 

The idea of a narrative enigma is carried on into the second shot as we see an unidentified man looking into a camera which clearly connotes that he is the one who is filming the original man. The camera then tilts upwards which shifts the focus to a different character this hints that he is the central protagonist. The audiences confusion is mirrored by this new character, through his bewildered facial expression, which also signifies that he could be the protagonist. 
Next we see a lot of quick shot changes ranging from a 3 medium shot to a close up to a straight forward medium shot. These snappy fast paced changes adds to the comedy timing as well as the confusion surrounding this scene. We can clearly see that this is an Indie film due to the hand held approach (used as its cheaper and quicker) and that it contains hybridity as it has more than one genre, a comedy also containing social issues. 

Again we see a lot of shot variety varying from an over the shoulder shot to a medium two shot and then a high angle over the shoulder medium close up, all of these happen within the space of 3 seconds. These short quick shots contrast with the next long take, this is done to high light the comedy within this scene. The abnormally small gun is used as a comedic aspect as it contradicts the characters serious motive of a suicide bombers video. The line "Guns small as i'v got big hands innit" anchors the fact that this films is a comedy. 

Now we have an ellipsis that takes us to the next shot which is an over the shoulder shot of a laptop playing the footage from the cam corder. Next we get a medium long shot of the family, this is anchorage that this character is the main protagonist as the he is now centred again in this scene. These shots are binary opposites due to the contrasting mise-en-scene of the first dull dark small room filled with men dresses in army attire to a bright, glossy, high resolution white family kitchen in which this scene is set. A medium 2 shot re-enforces the idea of a happy family. With in the medium 3 shot we first see the juxta position between the audio and the mise-en-scene of this family home, where a little boy is doing his homework and the mother is dressed in a nurses uniform, to the angry swearing coming from the computer. Then we see a traditional opening establishing shot of a building as the titles start.

FILM OPENING 6 EG - For Those in Peril

For Those in Peril
(Paul Wright, 2013)
Produced by Warp X, Warp Films; distribution: Protagonist Pictures
No cinematic release. 


Opens with a close up shot. The lone figure is unfocused which signifies a lack of identity and isolation whilst also enforcing Barthes' idea of narrative enigma creating suspense and mystery. This draws the audiences attention to the sea; which is in focus. This connotes that the sea has an important role in this piece as it is the only focused thing in the frame. The camera seams to be hand held due to the rocky movement of the frame, this reflects the bubbling motion of the sea which could signify that this is an indie film/documentary, or that it is just used to emphasise the sea as a main theme in the film.

In this shot the use of black and white is ploysemic as it could signify this film's genre to be a horror or that it is a serious/classic drama. It also creates a dark sombre tone which could connote that the sea is a source of pain or death in this film. This I feel anchors the idea that the film is centred around the sea as it has been the point of focus for the first two shots.

The next shot also features another theme of sea. The bad quality, blurred and shaky hand held camera shot also connotes a documentary style. 

We then see what looks and sounds like a flashback documentary due to the shaky hand held camera and informative voice over. The shot then zooms into a piece of paper. "love you always" signifies that someone has died, this idea is re enforced by the lit candles and cards, like those that would be left to show remorse for the passing of someone. 

Now we see an over the shoulder point of view close up shot of a smartly dressed young man. His somber expression denotes that the suit he is wearing is maybe not for a wedding but more for a funeral. This over the shoulder shot also again creates a narrative enigma. 

We are now presented with a close up two shot. This shows a relationship between the two characters, due to the quite personal tender action of doing someones tie this connotes that they have a close relationship. At this point we presume the woman is his mother as she looks quite a lot older than the boy. A close up shot has been used so we can clearly see both of the characters sad mournful expressions, this re-enforces the idea that they are attending a funeral.

FILM OPENING 5 EG - Gravity

Gravity 
(Alfonso Cuaron, 2013)
Produced by Warner Bros; distribution: 20th Century Fox
Budget:$100m
Box Office: $274,084,951 (world)

We first see an establishing shot of the earth, this is polysemic as it could connote that the theme of the film is space travel or aliens/alien invasion or it could just be an over view of the whole world and used to symbolise something wider in the film that will be revealed shortly.

We then see a small object floating towards the screen, this is an example of Barthes' narrative enigma idea as we can't clearly make out what it is; this creates suspense and tension. As it travels closer it is revealed that this is a space ship which anchors the idea that the film contains space travel. This idea of space travel denotes that the genre of the film could be action/thriller.

The mise-en-scene must have been very expensive to construct due to the large amount of CGI and editing as well as props that would have been needed to make this scene look authentic. This signifies that this would be more likely to be an American funded/American film.

A tracking shot follows an unknown man, which also again creates a narrative enigma that creates suspense. His face is then zoomed in on and we can now see that it is 'George Clooney' this anchors the fact that this is an American film as he is an A-list star.

Then the camera slowly zooms out to reveal 'Sandra Bullock' another A-list celebrity. She is working on something on the spaceship which connotes that something may have been wrong with the it. This sets up action which also anchors the fact that this could be an action film.

FILM OPENING 4 EG - The crying game

THE CRYING GAME (IMDb)
(Neil Jordan, 1992)
Produced by Palace Pictures, Channel Four films; distribution: Miramax Films
Budget:$2.3m
Box Office: $62.6m (world)

This first shot is an establishing shot that then starts to slowly pan across to reveal the setting. The fairground could signify that this is a  family friendly movie and also that it will contain a young central character. The slight shadow of the bridge around the edge of the frame also makes it look like a point of view shot.

The red text denotes that the genre of the film could be a romance and/or thriller. Also the serif font signify's that this may be a serious or social realist film.

As the panning continues the mise-en-scene connotes that this could be set in a seaside town due to the little beach at the end of the stretch of land.

Then the shot jumps to a long shot, the re-enforces the idea of a younger central character due to the fairground amusements crowded with young people.


The shot then zooms into two people. The denim jackets on both characters and hoop earns, red lips and a twirled up hair do on the girl denote that this is set around the 1980's.

The mise-on-scene I think contains intertextual references to the final scene from the musical film Grease (set in 1978) due to the American style far ground as well as the youths wearing leather jackets and other similar attire as in Grease.

At this point Stuart Hall's 3 levels of preferred reading does point to a romantic genre due to the close physical contact between the two featured characters, which fits with the previous red coloured font of the titles. Due to the tracking shot following the couple it denotes that these could be central characters in the film.

Now we see an over the shoulder (the person viewing occupying 1/3 of the frame) point of view shot. This signifies that someone is watching/stalking the couple, this denotes that something isn't right and also that this could be a mystery due to Barthese' narrative enigma idea.

The two shot between these two characters also signifies that something is not right as it connotes a relationship between these two characters. It could also signify that action/violence will occur soon due to the uncomfortable and nervous expressions of the female character and the sly and confident expression of the viewing male as this creates tension.

The shot tracks upwards to from an aerial long shot at a high angle. This denotes that the two characters specifically the male is in danger and is vulnerable.

FILM OPENING 3 EG - Atonement

ATONEMENT (IMDb)
(Joe Wright, 2007)
Produced by Working Title (+2); distribution: Universal
Budget:$30m
Box Office: $130m (world); $51m (USA), £11.5m

Fledgling writer Briony Tallis, as a 13-year-old, irrevocably changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a crime he did not commit. Based on the British romance novel by Ian McEwan.

  Universal Pictures ident denotes the distributor. 

The font is serif which could connote a setting in the past, it could also signify a serious drama as the font and background are black and white. 

This denotes that they are the main
production company.

This denotes the co-producers.

The first shot is a close up of a doll house but it also looks like it could be an establishing shot of an actual house.

Then we see a panning and tracking shot which starts to reveal the set. The exotic animals have conotations of foreign travels so this leads us to believe that the owners are wealthy.

We can now see the back of a little girls head is creates a narrative enigma which creates suspense and interest. The neatly ordered shoes and religious pictures connote that this girl is very sensible. 

Now more detail is showing connotations of children and wealth.

 Then we see a close up panning tracking shot of the girls face, followed by an extreme close up of her eyes  to show her lack of emotion.

This point of view shot connotes this little girl to be the main central protagonist.

FILM OPENING 2 EG - This is England

THIS IS ENGLAND (IMDb) 
(Shane Meadows, 2007)
Produced by Warp Films (+6); UK distribution: Optimum Releasing 
Budget:$1.5m
Box Office: $329,37 (domestic); $7,847,165 (foreign)

A story about a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school, after a fight. They become his new best friends even like family. Based on experiences of director Shane Meadows.
We are presented with an unusual first medium shot of a small section of a room (as usually the first shot is an establishing shot that provides the audience with signifiers through mise-en-scene) this implies to the audience already that this is an indie film. The peeling wall paper is a signifier that signifies to the audience that the people who own this house must be working class. Also the framed picture and radio balanced on the chair also signify that the owners don't have enough money for basic house hold items like a side table. The jumper connotes that this film is set in the 80's due to its recognisable pattern.

 We then see a long shot of a young boy sitting upon bed. It is now clear that this is defiantly not an American film as this is not relatable due to the very unglamorous setting and cubby ginger youth wearing dirty Y fronts which we would now presume to be the main character as he the first few moments are centred around him.

Then we are finally presented with the establishing shot where the setting is finally revealed. The semi-detached house is situated in a council estate but in the bottom left hand side of the frame we can see a bike left untouched on the front lawn, this signifies that even though we would associate council estates with theft this must be a relatively safe area which contradicts general stereotypes.





This is then followed by an extreme long shot showing a slightly run down looking news agents. The audiences first opinion is that this shop could sell alcohol illegally and other dodgy items. 

A panning shot follows the boys movements whilst also revealing the interior of the shop, this is so the audience can see that this is just an ordinary news agents.












Then we see a medium point of view shot from both the boy and the shop owners perspectives. Both characters are placed in the right hand side of the shot this is so we can clearly see both characters facial expressions and surroundings.

FILM OPENING 1 EG - Submarine

SUBMARINE (imdb) 

(Richard Ayoade, 2011)

Produced by Warp Films (+9); UK distribution: Optimum Releasing 

Budget:$1.2m

Box Office: $467,602 (domestic); $397,057 (foreign)

At the moment i'v been looking into the first few minutes of films. It interests me that the first few moments of a movie can either make us press the stop button on our remotes or entice us into exploring what more the film has to offer. This means that the most crucial part of a film may well be the first 2 minutes. Therefore it must be done correctly.

My reaction to the first few moments of the film 'submarine' was this, many different variations of camera lengths and angles were used which added to the scenes visual appeal and made it more interesting. 

 The colour scheme created an arty feel which I personally loved there was minimal dialogue which I thought was effective due to the arty feel of the opening, it made me feel as if I was watching a short  film that should be shown in an art gallery.

Even though it's hard to make clear what genre the film is in the first few minutes of it, (especially rom com) this film portrayed it perfectly by not making it incredibly obvious but enough so that I could say that the film would be a rom com. They did this by adding an arctic monkeys backing song about romance
finally one of the main things that stood out for me, even though it may seam insignificant, was the voice over, not only was it spoken with a dulsit tone which matched the feeling of the room but also that it matched the feeling of the whole 2 minutes, very simple and very effective. Even the camera angles at one point were so simple they almost looked amateur but it just fit even though the piece isn't amateur but very stylised and beautiful. 
Here the camera is panning across the room to give us the audience an idea about the character and their surroundings. This is showing us that this is not the bedroom of a stereo typical boy as it looks like an old mans bedroom.