Learning Comments
From looking closely at these films and how representation is shown in different ways i have found the main ways the films represent the social group the characters fall into. The way the characters are presented is the main way for example the clothing of the character tells a lot as if they are wearing some contemporary clothing brands it shows they are most likely young. The sound that is used also can show representation for example if some old classical music is used it suggests that the characters are older and if newer and more modern music is played it could suggest the characters are younger. These are some of the ways that representation of the social groups of the characters are shown in different ways in these films.
Learning Comments
From analysing these opening scenes in detail and looking at how the narrative is shown in the opening scene it has given me ideas about how much of the narrative i need to reveal in my opening scene. An example of some of the ways that i will reveal the narrative in my opening scene are small hints so objects placed in specific places to show a characters behaviour or features, an example of this in one of the opening scenes is Juno, it shows the guitar while the name 'Michael Cera' is shown, this is showing the fact that this character plays the guitar at important times in the narrative.
Here is a check list of some of the elements i am going reveal in my opening scene:
Features and Behaviour of characters with the use of objects
The main character needs to be shown in the opening scene
Make sure i can show the binary opposites within the narrative
Follow the equilibrium at the beginning (display normality and no disruption in opening scene)
Reason for Grade : I found that this opening scene had a variety of different shots and action. This opening scene deserves the grade A because of the typography being well placed and professionally done. The editing of this was also well done. There was also links to narrative shown as the typography was shown.
Grade : C
Reason for Grade : The reason i think this opening scene deserves a C grade is due to the sometimes poor acting. Not very interesting typography and could be better. However links to the narrative were shown throughout. The editing was not too bad with only some shots being shaky or too long. However there was an editing mistake with a repeated shot which should have been fixed.
Grade : B
Reason for Grade : The reasons why i gave this opening scene B grade. Throughout the opening scene were lots of good uses of showing typography with the use of materials and clothing. However there are hardly any links to the narrative shown throughout the opening scene as it just shows the main character getting ready/waking up. The editing in this is not too bad however could be better with the obvious freeze frame when text was shown, improvement would have been to just keep the camera still instead of freezing the frame.
Learning Comments
From closely analysing these opening scenes, i have seen the opportunities i have and what it takes to get the best grade when making an opening scene. There are some techniques and ideas i have seen here that have given myself some ideas for my final opening scene.
The main thing i have learn't from watching these is that our idea needs to be simple and not too complex, this makes it easier to understand. Also i have learn't that i don't need to show much of the story in the first 2 minutes
I have done some research on the audience of 'Coming Of Age' Films:
Survey for Audience Research
First watch this opening scene and think about the different parts of this opening scene then fill out the survey below. This is to help me gain a better understanding on what i need to do make my final product as professional and appealing as possible:
Learning Comments
From researching the audiences of coming of age films, i now know how to aim my opening scene at the correct audience. I have also found from my research how to make links to the narrative in my opening scene, and how important it is to make links and how it keeps the audience interested.
Survey Results Summary
From the results that i have received from the survey i have learnt that some of the techniques that are used in Ferris Buellers opening sequences are very effective and make the opening scene better in general, for example: establishing shot is important to the viewers for understanding where the setting of the follow scene is.
Learning Comments
From watching these opening scenes closely I have found some similarity's and differences. Ferris Buellers Day Off is a 1986 film and the text that was shown is the traditional order, production company then distributors etc. However the newer films Easy A, it doesn't follow the traditional listing and only names a small amount or only names the actors in this case. However not all new films don't follow this traditional order as shown with Juno.
From this information i have decided that I will use the more traditional method of showing text, also the style of the text must link to the genre of the film. I will also follow the same style of positioning of text as these productions (placed at the bottom of the shot or at the top).
Key Information
All opening scenes had hints to the narrative.
The style and colour of the text shown sometimes reflects the genre of the film.
Some newer productions show less text.
Older productions show more text.
The text will always be placed accordingly for example at the bottom so its not in the way.
From my research of these production and distribution studios, i have found that they all have wide ranges of productions and distributions. Also there are many different genres of films that the studios distribute and produce i have found this is because they want to make sure their audience is more open.
Also from looking at the smaller sized distribution studios i have found that they produce and distribute small film productions, this will help me decide which production company and which distribution company i will choose.
From closely analysing these opening scenes both films introduced their main characters early on in the films, this is something that i will look to do i my opening sequence.
I have also noticed that the both opening scenes only show text of the production and distribution companies i think this is something i want to use as it makes the shot have less going on and the viewer can concentrate on whats going on.
