Romeo and Juliet- film opening analysis

Conventions of a Horror Film opening

Our film opening analysis-The Ring

Group 2 film opening analysis

Hannah, Van and Zak were in group two and they analysed the opening of ‘The Grudge 3’ and these are some of the things they picked up one.

It starts off with drops of blood which could be showing the horror theme, you then hear non diegetic sounds of the blood. Then you see the title opening scene which shows the film companies names and the colouring is red which could represent blood as the horror convention for the colour red is danger. You then see hair which is symbolic for the grudge movies. Then it all turns into black and white which signifies a flash back. The flash back shows you important information for the rest of the film and then it goes into credits. You then see a close up of a pale girl being killed and the audience are meant to feel sorry for her and then there is a low angle shot of a young boy showing fear. There is then a point of view shot when the girl is actually killed, you then see a psychotic man killing a cat which could make the audience feel fearful it then goes back into colour. Now it is back into present day it is all dark and gloomy and they have changed round the gates so it still looks like the same place as in the flash back but more up to date, you then see a shot of the iconic stairs which are shown quite a lot throughout the film and whenever someone is killed it mostly happens on the stairs. Then the trailer starts to reverse to show an insight in to what is going to happen next.

Group 1 film opening analysis

Emily, Flynn, Emma and Max were all in group one and they analysed the opening of ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. Here are some of the things that the pick out on thought out the opening.

The title flashes in in the colour red which could mean blood or danger, this could also show the audience it is in the horror genre. There is a small screen inside the big screen which could mean it is focusing on it more .You then see a man and you can tell his intensions are not good as the camera then zooms into a weapon he is holding. It then comes up with the producers name and shows that he is a well-known producer, the font is a creepy style and the size of it is all over the place. There is also a white background which makes the girl look more pure and innocent. There is then an extreme long shot of a dark hallway then there is a white light at one end of the hall way which could represent death as she is running away from it. There is then a close up of her face showing a shadow on half of it. She then gets scared by a sheep, the sheep could represent well life. There is then a retelling a chain which could show she is being watched. We then feel for the girl as she is finding it difficult to escape. We then see the same weapon that we saw the man holing at the beginning. This is also an example of a use of hand held cameras .The girl then screams and you can also hear the sheep scream as well. The killer is then seen behind her which makes us and her jump. She then wakes up as it was just a dream but there are cuts on her dress which could make it seem real which could create tension and confusion for the audience. It is dark gloomy lighting.

The opening for Psycho

Hitchcock

Hitchcock has inspired me in many ways,  especially as he is called the master of suspense which helps draw an audience in a keep them hocked which is why his films have been made so popular as this has made people watch his other films as well as one of his most famous one 'psycho'. So he has inspired me when planning and deciding on what sort of film opening i would like to make by keeping it tense and the audience always engaged by not revealing everything at once like in hitchcock's films.

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock on Prezi

Psycho - 9 frames and timeline

Film Opening

FILM	GENRE	CONVENTIONS	STYLE OF OPENING	INFO/CREDITS	NARRATIVE/STORY LINE
Pretty Women	Comedy and romance	Music-is a piano which could represent poshness and upmarket, it is also quite upbeat The setting	Shows key characters and it also gives you a clear idea of the sort of setting.	Gives names of the actors /actresses who play the key characters	Party- upmarket
The Dark Knight	Action	Music-sounds dark which could create tensions Dark Violence It established the genre	Action-key event which could affect the rest of the film	It showed the institution but had no other credits.	Key narrative to introduce you to key character’s e.g. the Joker
Final Destination 3	Horror	Sound effects-rain, screams from the fair, fairground rides. It’s about fortune and faith which could be ironic	Fairground-could show the setting	Opening credits	Mood setting, this is shown by the music and light changes.
Pulp Fiction	Action/Crime/ Drama	A lot of swearing Equilibrium Quote at the beginning	Narrative-2 people having a conversation	After the first scene the credits come up	Setting the mood of the film with the conversation, introduced to two main character’s
The Shining	Horror	Music and sound effects make the film feel more dramatic	-landscape-setting	Credits go over the top of the film	A car driving down a long road –away from civilisation showing isolation
Mean Girls	Comedy	Light hearted music/upbeat and happy It is light and bright	Get introduced to the key characters, you learn about her and her life before	Names of the most well-known actors/actresses at the beginning and the name of the film then into opening , then some names come on top of the film	A girls first day of school
Final Destination 5	Horror	Horror/thriller music- scary dramatic music in to more calm music Fire, glass braking	Credits opening Shows all the mans of key actresses and actors	Shows the productions and institutions Then shows the names of actors and actresses	Give you an idea of who’s in the film eg if there are any well-known actresses or actors
The notebook	Romance /drama	Calm peaceful music-piano A scenic, lovely peaceful setting Dark but bright at the same time Its calm and relaxing-river- flowing water	Sets the scene Also shows you key names of actresses and actors	Gives you the names of key/main actors and actresses around the side of the film/pictures in small white writing	A river with an orange sky reflecting on the water A lonely man rowing his boat along it
The devil inside	Horror/thriller	It starts with a 911 call which could automatically mean danger	Sets the scene for the rest of the film, background story	It gives you names of key characters when it shows you the 911 call	It shows the 911 call worded on the screen

A Film Institution 2

A Film Institution