Analysis Of Opening Techniques 1
- 1. Analysis of Opening Film Techniques Employed - Misery Film Techniques Examples of typical film techniques used and why– Illustrate your findings with references to actual onscreen moments. Titling – colour, font style, Metro Goldwyn Major Trademark – American media over image or black, company, involved in production and distribution of films timing, credits and television programs – lasts for 6 seconds presentation etc Columbia Pictures – American Film Production Film Company, is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment – lasts for 9 seconds Castle Rock Entertainment – A film and television production company which was found in 1987 – lasts for 13 seconds Shows which company is more important as it is shown in seconds Main colour used for text in red but credits that came up were “In Association with” – 0.41 and “A Rob Reiner Film” – 0.43 Not many credits may be because that is not important and setting the story line seemed more important. Camera Movement (panning, tracking, crane shot and crabbing etc) Framing of Shot Close up – used for audience to see each close detail – (CU, MLS, ELS etc) may also show what type of person the character is i.e. personality wise POV shot – shows view from the subject’s perspective Camera Angles (high and A high angle is used to give the character more power it low angles etc shows that he is powerful. Selection of mise-en- Red shirt – may represent danger – it could be scène including colour, approaching figure, pops, lighting, Likable character – laid back, relaxed, not worried about objects, location and anything, finishes writing his story, has a cigarette and setting; champagne/wine Set in the middle of nowhere – shows that if he is in danger there is no one that would be able to help/save him Snow blizzard – if the weather gets worse then he would
- 2. be in a huge amount of danger Trees - forest Lighting is light – shows that at the moment everything is perfectly fine for him Editing directions (Match cuts, jump cut, reverse shots etc) Sound techniques Digetic – hear him type, sound of champagne being (diegetic, non diegetic, poured and lighting his cigarette silence, dialogue Actor’s positioning and He is in his cottage which shows that he is safe for now. movement Narrative Structure
- 3. Who is the hero and who We can tell that he may be the hero because he is portrayed as a is the villan? fun man. Where is the story set? The opening scene is set in his cottage in the middle of nowhere What does this tell you which could show that danger may be approaching him soon. about the genre of the film? How many principle Only one. characters are there? How is the story told? Chronologically which shows that nobody is sure what might Chronologically? Or does happen. it switch between present and past? And what is the effect? What questions are you What will happen to him? left with? Which theories can you apply to these openings? How can they be applied?