FILM OPENING ANAYLSIS

CLASSWORK

For research we watched a variety of film openings and created visual time line maps of what was happening in the clip and the tension it created. In these mind maps I focused on looking at music, the story line and the overall tone created by the colour schemes and tones used throughout. 

In each of the maps shown I have structured it to show the sound running along the top of the sheet, which has been split to have each line representing a particular sound and how it grows and fades. Below sound I have a line to represent tension increasing and decreasing, and around this I have added notes and illustrations to show the plot.

Halloween

Genre- Horror

The film 'Halloween' was created in 1978, and was said to be the reason for the popularity of slasher films in the 1980's. The opening clip shows a young couple home alone on halloween, and the boyfriend leaves, leaving the masked killer to go upstairs and kill his girlfriend, which is shown through the eyes of the mask. It is then shortly revealed that once the killer is outside, he appears to be a young boy who's parents are shocked.

Trainspotting

Genre- Drama

The film opening 'Trainspotting' had overall demonstrated a more upbeat tone throughout with some short moments of tension. The opening was put together using a many short clips each including the characters in the film to introduce them. These clips included main characters running, playing football and taking drugs. These clips put together with the use of both diegetic and non-diegetic and the use of voice over, create a good overall feel for the film.

Amelie

Genre- Comedy

The opening to the french film Amelie showed the progression from when she conceived to her early years of childhood. The opening includes warm colors, creating a more calming atmosphere to the opening, however this is contradicted by the use of piano throughout the clip which continuously builds tension.