To ensure our film the best possible success, I researched carefully into the audience that would be viewing our piece looking at demographic groupings, certification and audience theories in order to be able to create a target audience suitable for our genre.
There are 2 types of audience, mass and niche.
A mass audience is a large, broad audience group with a range of interest enjoying the mainstream films and media texts.
A niche audience is a closely defined audience with a particular and specific interest, being a much smaller and limited audience.
For this reason we have chosen to aim our film at a mass audience and make our film mainstream as this would create a bigger success for our film.
Institutions consider audience in catergorised groups better known as the demographic groups.
These groups range from A-E and each group highlights a different audience member.
A-top management, bankers, lawyers, doctors etc.
B-middle management, teachers, many 'creatives'
C1-office supervisors, junior managers, nurses, specialist clerical staff etc.
C2-skilled workers, tradesperson (white collar workers)
D-semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers (blue collar workers)
After looking into similar products, i found that most psychological thrillers were given ratings of 15 and 18 due to the horror conveyed within the genre. Black Swan (2010) was certified as a 15 film by the BBFC, British Board of Film Classification who are a self regulatory body made up of film industry representatives.
The obligations prevent material of the film breaking the law and protecting the audience from items that may cause harm including the language used.
From this we have decided to ceritfy our film as a 15 also as the horror in our film may be a mild threat and there may be frequent use of bad language within our film but our film will not be given an 18 rating as there will not be a lot of sexual activity portrayed within the storyline and any violence used will not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.
We were given a task to look at film openings from different genres and note and analyse how genre was included and reflected upon in opening sequences to films.
I looked at Forrest Gump (1994)(Drama/Romance), WALL-E (2008)(Adventure/Animation/Family), The Holiday (2006)(Comedy/Romance), Saving Private Ryan (Action/Drama/History/War) and Psycho (1998)(Horror/Mystery/Thriller)
Forrest Gump(1994)
At the very beginning of this opening, we are introduced to paramount pictures as the institutional company that presents the fil. The opening has an open narrative and gives the audience and idea of how the film will develop. The main part of the opening shows a feather falling through the city which does not show much relevance to the Drama side of the genre but could suggest peace which would junxtaposition the war and action themes shown in the film. The feather could symbolise romance as it is delicate, precious and light which you could associate with a romantic encounter.
The exterior setting shows scenery of the southern state of America in which the film is set besides the war fronts and the neautral lighting can suggest the light and airy film given through the romance theme and genre.
The music starts off light and dreamy also and picks up as the feather gets gradually nearer to the ground. This reflects both aspects of genre as it begins to show romance and picks up to give a sense of drama and that some action is going to develop within the film. The introduction gives titles of actors which increases box office appeal and the themes and atmosphere shown reflect the genre well.
WALL-E(2008)
This Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures film imediately highlights the family aspect of genre as these institutions are seen as family orientated companies producing many family films.
The beginning lettering styles we are introduced to and the outer space location higlights he sci-fi genre and also a sense of adventure in the way in which the opening is portrayed.
The opening slowly shows different perspectives of the outer space atmosphere and the landscaping gives a sense of adventure to the audience as it is as if they are proceeding onto an adventure with the camera. The setting then moves on to a blank, sandy landscape which is light and developing, conveying a different genre of mystery holding the audiences attention and making them want to find out more.
The sound suggests animation with voicing music which appears upbeat and happy portraying a family friendly film. The music picks up which backs the adventure genre in the film and the open narrative creates the atmosphere for the genre to develop further as the film progresses.
The Holiday(2006)
This Universal pictures and Columbia pictures collaboration introduces the institutions at the beginning of the opening.
The music we are introduced to at the very beginning is a mellow sound which is resembling an orchestra ensemble (piano). This is representative of the romance genre and connotes passion within the piece.
The opening scenery is light and peaceful and fits in with the backing, diegetic sound. Along with this, the use of characters kissing immediately highlights romance.
The comedy aspect in the genre is not presented at this time in the opening as it mainly focuses on the romance.
Actors and casting is then introduced into the opening of the film which greatly increases box office appeal with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. Well known, high class actors are seen to increase box office appeal massively and target and appeal to a wider audience.
The piece then transfers to an everyday setting and a monolgue about love from the main actor with references to Shakespeare (historical). This highlights the romance as Shakespeare was a writer and poet which could connote love and romance conveying the themes and genre. This also creates a passionate atmosphere.
The music carrys on throughout the entire opening and picks up to increase intensity and therefore increase the passion. This could also connote a funny twist within the piece clearly suggesting the comical genre of the film. The use of images such as wedding pictures are also incorporated within this opening to convey the love themes and the romance genre.
The monologue concludes and produces an open narrative so the audience is aware and can see how the story of love will develop with a slight anti-romance twist and this can also show how the genre of romance will develop, at the same time highlighting comedy as it is shown that somethign will go wrong possibly in a comical way.
Saving Private Ryan(1998) - up to 2 minutes 30 seconds
'Saving Private Ryan' (1998) conveys it's genre in the opening extremely well as you are able to see all aspects of the genre clearly. The opening fades in and begins with waves crashing around sharp boulards in the sea. This immediately gives a harsh feel and connotes the action themes. The dark setting gives a gloomy feel and can be used to show the war genre as war is seen as an unpleasant thing like the gloomy setting.
'JUNE 6 1994' and 'DOG GREEN SECTOR, OMAHA BEACH' shows the location and date highlighting the historical genre conveyed in the film and also suggests war as the dates can be seen as war dates.
We are then assured of the war and action genres as we see a war boat and soldiers in battle and preparing to fight. The atmosphere is silent and tense and this increases the drama aspect of genre within the piece. The pace picks up and the action increases as they get into battle, the orders, gunshots and views of blood all suggest war and highlight the action theme which is carried throughout the opening. The colour red (of the blood) connotes war and fits in with the genre of the film.
The bad weather used in the opening with the rain and dark clouds connotes and gloomy and unpleasant setting and world highlighting that something bad will happen and therefore conveying the gnere.
It is an open narrative and allows the audience to develop on what is going to happen. Psycho(1998)
The opening credits begin with a green screen and black lines begin to develop across the screen. At this stage it seems irrelevant and therfore adds to the mystery of the opening and conveys the mysterious genre. Universal pictures and imagine entertainment are introduced to the audience.
The music is harsh and jumpy which immediately conveys the horror genre as it is used to make the audience feel a sense of horror. The titling 'PSYCHO' in capitals also emphasises the harshness and therfore increases the horror.
The opening introduces us to the characters and casting increasing box office appeal as it widens audience appeal. The music takes a mysteious twist and it makes viwers unaware of what is likely to happen which holds the audiences attention whilst the open narrative still allows the story to develop with the sense of horro and mystery being conveyed.
This has helped me to develop a sense of how genre is conveyed in an opening sequence and shows me that it is important that the audience are entertained and the genre is conveyed in a way that is not too complicated in order to create a successful, easy to follow opening with signs and meanings behind the specific genre. This task also allowed me to gain an insight into which genre to choose for the final film opening.
The opening to resevoir dogs shows an open narrative which introduces us to the characters and suggests they are off to fulfill an important task. This makes the audience want to carry on watching and find out where they are going. The way they are dressed (in suits and black ties) and how they are acting backs up the action and gangster genre as they are portrayed to the audience as gangsters and potential trouble-makers.
The men are dressed in suits and shades which also gives a sense of mystery. This would also intrigue the audience and make them want to see what happens. The titles and introduction to the actors boosts box office appeal.
The sound and atmosphere both imply a masculine, gangster opening with a lively, rock music and rough atmosphere. However the lively music could suggest juxtaposition as it is contrasting to what we see on the screen.
This all symbolises and reflects the aspects of the opening and when creating our own opening we can take into account strengths and weaknesses and certain aspects to include.
Superman returns:
Narrative:
Open narrative
Genre:
Action
Atmosphere:
Masculine
Lively
Themes:
Superhero
Comics
Setting:
Exterior
Universe
Sound:
Superhero theme tune
Upbeat
Picks up and getts faster and more intense
Titles:
Introduces actors
Box office appeal
Strong coloured on strong background
Matches the out of space theme.
The opening to Superman returns is fairly basic. It shows and open narrative with titles to introduce the audience to the actors in the film.
There are no characters featured in the oepning and the titles run all the way through.
From the opening we can conclude an action genre and the masculine lively atmosphere fits in with this genre well.
The setting is an exterior setting which goes through the universe and this is used to enhance the action of the film with the use of an intense, upbeat music (superman theme) which all ties in to the title of the film and therefore supporting the genre and themes.
The titles with the actors name increases box office appeal.
Character: James bond – spy, cold hearted and killer.
Atmosphere: Spy
Tension
Upbeat
Fast
Themes: Action
Spy
Love
Betrayal
Survival
Setting: Jungle
Casino
Hotel Sea
Sound: Theme tune throughout creates tension and familiarity.
Title: Stands out
Uses logo in title
White on dark background stands out
Grabs attention
Creates familiarity with brand products
Differences between a film trailer and opening: Trailers: -gives information and details of the film -include montages (fragmented narrative), giving the audience an outline of the plot -tend to fade to black several times -include the title at the end of the trailer -have a tag line -include the institution logos at the start -includes different settings and atmospheres to show the storyline
Openings: -list important members of the cast and crew at the start or throughout the opening -include the title at the start of the film -generally introduce the characters and setting -set a mood or tone and highlight the genre -create questions amongst the audience -demonstrate the patterns/types of editing that will be used in the film
The filming. - hold shot steady - framing a shot - using a variety of shot distances - shooting material appropriate - selecting mise en scene
Opening. - details of cast and crew and institution producing the film - films title - intro to character or character type - indication of place/setting - info on mood and tone - info on signature theme tune - info on genre
Genre Narrative Character Atmosphere Themes Setting Sound Titles
Catch me if you can:
Genre: -Drama -Action -Chase Character: Detective Criminal Pointed out by an arrow Atmosphere: Suspicious Setting: Hospital Airport America shown through the use of yellow cabs. Sound: Tension 1960's feel Narrative: Tells the storyline Use of iconography Hiding and Chasing Title: Title near the beginning of the opening
The opening to 'catch me if you can' uses a background music which immediately creates tension and portrays the chase/action genre. This holds the audiences attention as it would make them want to find out more. Throughout the opening we are introduced to the characters through a cartoon sense and the use of titles shows the actors/directors/producers. The storyline is shown through the opening giving an assumption to the audience of what is expected and also reflecting the chase theme and suspicious atmosphere.
My Best Friends Wedding.
Genre: Romantic Comedy The colour pink Character: Bride Bridesmaids Groom Atmosphere: Light Happy Feminine Musical Themes: Love Happiness Wedding Setting: Studio (not appropriate for a church) Wedding Preparations Sound: The music giving instruction on how to treat a man Narrative: Something is going to go wrong. Wedding Friends Titles: Handwritten font (maybe like an invitation) Julia Roberts (Box Office Appeal)
The opening to 'my best friends wedding' features an upbeat/happy music which reflects the genre and the wording to the song also highlights the theme of love. We are introduced to the main characters and the titles allow us to see the actors in the piece. The use of Julia Roberts would create box office appeal as she is a big star and people would like to see films starring her so this would increase the viewers. The colour pink is used throughout the opening and this highlights the romantic genre and the love and happiness themes which are to feature in the film. The titles appear to be of a handwritten style which also reflects in the genre and wedding narrative as it is shown as an invitation. The narrative could also suggest something is about to go wrong.
