Research into Horror genre

 Research into the Horror genre opening scene 

 

The Conjuring is a 2013 American supernatural horror film, directed by James Wan and written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes. The Conjuring was released in the United states on July 19, 2013, by the Warner Brothers. Pictures and New Line Cinema. It grosses over $319 million worldwide against its $20 million budget creating a tent pole film. 

The main cast in this move are Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga and Ron Livingston. This narrative through this clip is introduced through an interview that people are having and from this interview we learn that the doll is possessed and contains spirits. This automatically sets the atmosphere and provides a brief understanding of what this film is about. The target audience from this film is around the age group of 15-17 year old teenage males, we are aware of this due to the intensity and levels of horror. The genre of the of the film is set up in the opening scene through the use of soundtrack and from what is being shown the minute the clip begins, and from his we have evidence that it is a horror film.

We are introduced to 3 characters, 2 girls and a male, the 2 young girls are nurses and they live with the possessed doll, and the male who is not introduced remains silent throughout the whole interview. The extract begins with a black screen with non-diegetic soundtrack then cuts straight to the dolls eye with an extreme close up then slowly zooms out and captures half of the dolls face taking up a third of the frame. In this clip the dolls face is in focus and the background is out of focus, creating a deep depth of field. The editing techniques that have been used match the genre by using short and snappy clips to show action and to keep the audience engaged instead of long clips that drag and allow to viewer to loose focus. In the scene where the 2 women arrive home, and see the doll sitting against a wall directly in front of them, ominous music begins and conveys the idea that something bad is going to happen, it support the mood and atmosphere.

 

 

This clip is shown through a Point of View angle so the audience are able to see the two girls perspective of what they are seeing. As they walk into the house, the hallway is pitch black except from from the specs of light that are shown on the doll, this emphasises the idea of foreboding and that something is going on.

In the last scene when one of the women are throwing away the doll, this scene is portrayed from a high angle, this connotes the idea that she is powerless and vulnerable compared to Annabel, and that something  is going to happen and this influences the audience and  makes them curious and intrigued to what is going to    happen, so allows them to want to keep watching.

Overall this is a very strong and powerful introduction scene to a movie due to the sound track, camera angles, lighting and editing. After watching this scene it makes me want to watch this movie as it has grabbed my attention and I am curious as to what happens next.

 

 

Research into Romance and Drama genre

Research into Drama and Romance genre 

The Notebook is 2004 American drama and romance film. This production begins when the young couple fall in love in the 1940s. The director of this film is Nick Cassavetes and it is written by Jeremy Leven (screenplay), Jan Sardi (adaption) and Nicholas Sparks (novel). The notebook was released in the UK on the 25th June 2004. The production company was The New Line Cinema and Gran Via. The budget for this production was $29,000,000 and the grossing was $81,001,787. This film won multiple awards such as; eight Teen Choice Awards, A Satellite Award and an MTV Movie Award 

The main cast in this movie is Gena Rowlands, James Garner and Rachel McAdams. We are introduced to Gena Rowlands at the end of this opening scene but throughout the opening scene we are not introduced to any other characters, and are given no character information. The opening clip consists of a large landscape image capturing a sunset and in the depth of the image you are able to see a subject on a rowing boat going across the calm sees. 

The use of the colours portrays a beautiful image, the main colour in this image is red and red signifies love and passion and this is able to tell the viewer that this is a movie about love and romance, the use of the non-diegetic soundtrack playing through this scene also informs the viewer that this is a film about love and romance due to the high and low pitches of the piano and the harp and this is able to set the scene and atmosphere of the genre of this film. Due to the lack of story telling in this opening scene we are not given a brief understanding of what this film is about, therefore leaves the audiences thoughts to wonder and discover for themselves. The target audience for this film is for individuals who are young adults, adults or even elderly people because it includes all three of these age generations and it is also mainly aimed at individuals who love romantic movies.

In the last section of this opening scene we are shown with a point of view angle, which is able to show the viewer what this character is looking at, which in this example is the beautiful view with a rayleigh scattering of the skies. From this clip we are shown that this subject/character is an important character as the final section of this clip is a close up of this character. 

The use of the rule of thirds in this clip allow the viewer to focus their attention on the character who is towards the right side of the frame and also by the use of having a short depth of field and the editors making sure that only her face was in focus, to bring more attention to her and show that she is important and that possibly this movie is about her and her story, but the audience are also left with the idea of who is this woman?

Research into Action genre

 Research into Action genre opening scene

Iron man (2008) is an American superhero action film based on Marvel Comics. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it is the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Iron man was directed by Jon Favreau and written by Mark Fergus (screenplay) and Hawk Ostby (screenplay). Iron Man was released on 2nd May 2008 in the UK.  It grossed over $319,034,126 in the USA and had a worldwide gross of $585,796,247 and the budget of this production was $140,000,000 (estimated).

The main cast in this movie are Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard. In this opening scene we are introduced to one of the main characters. The opening scene begins with an establishing shot which is able to tell the audience that this scene is being filmed in a desert is Afghanistan, by the C.G.I  and the use of the warm, light colours, dryness and lack of liveliness around them - which emphasises they are in a desert with multiple jeeps driving through the centre of the frame then a variety of angles to portray their movements and actions with what seem to be members of the army on top holding guns, this portrays that someone important is in these jeeps.

The soundtrack used to open this scene is a song that is being played through non-diegetic soundtrack and changes to diegetic sound by showing that it is coming from the radio/CD player as the scene opens and they are in a jeep. This sets the atmosphere snd get the viewer involved and also portrays the feeling that this film is fun, upbeat and an action film.

This clip is portrayed through tracking camera movements, as the jeeps are moving and driving the camera is tracking them and is keeping the subject  (the jeeps) in the centre. This provides a sense of importance as they would not be tracking a certain car is there was no one important in it.

In the opening scene we are introduced to the main character who is Robert Downey Jr and from this we get a slight sense that he may be Iron man due to this status and how he is dressed smartly compared to everyone around him, but we are unsure of this as we are not introduced to any evidence. He is also portrayed through a close up with just him in the centre of the frame which is breaking the idea of rule of thirds which also portrays his status and importance, and his long screen time compared to the other characters. From this opening scene we are able to tell what type of audience and age group this is directed at which is 14-17 year olds (preferably boys).

The narrative through this opening scene is portrayed towards the ending of this clip where there is a bomb and the car in front of them blows up, this is able to inform us what this movie may be about and what it consists of. We are also aware that Robert Downey Jr is a key character. When the 'soldiers' leave the jeep they are intending to protect him and keep him safe. From this clip we are able to tell that this is an action film.

The clip is set in a linear narrative and everything follows a chronological order. Overall this is a successful opening scene. From watching this opening scene it allows the viewer to want to watch more and find out what happens and what its about. The editing techniques that have been used match the genre by using short and snappy clips to show action and to keep the audience engaged.

Research into War genre

  Research into War genre opening scene

(0.39-2.00) The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, is a British-American 2008 historical tragedy war film set in World War II. Directed by Mark Herman and written by John Boyne (novel) and Mark Herman (screenplay). This film was produced by Miramax, BBC Films and Heyday Films and was released on 12th of September 2008 (UK) , and had the budget of $12,500,000. The grossing of the film was $9,046,156 and the worldwide gross was $40,416,563. The audience that this movie would be best suited for would be teens and adults as it a strong and powerful movie and gets across an important message.

 This opening scene begins with an extreme close up of the Nazi flag that slowly zooms out, from this we are aware that this is set in Germany in 1942 during World War II, during the time of the Holocaust. This sets the narrative of the film and tells us that is it about the War which further emphasises that this is a War genre movie. The sound that is used to open this opening scene is light and delicate and a gentle piano playing, with diegetic sound added to it of children playing with one another and footsteps of people running and walking. 

The main characters of this film are Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis and Rupert Friend. As the clip begins we are slowly introduced to one of the main characters (Asa Butterfield) through a slow zoom in and tracking camera movements from an establishing shot of him running through the streets of Germany with 3 of his friends pretending they are airplanes. 

We are aware that this young boy is one of the main characters as he has appears to have a longer screen time than the other boys and he seems to appear more often in the first clips. The use of their clothing and the people they are surrounded by further emphasises the time period and when/where this was set. 

As this clip continues we are then introduced to a house and of what seems to be a middle-class/upper-class house with workers working in the house. This clip is portrayed through an extreme long shot to attempt to get everything in the frame, and an establishing shot, so the viewer is aware that this is being filmed in a house.

The last scene of this clip is focused on a woman, who seems to have a high status and comes across as important due to how she is dressed and being treated by individuals. She is introduced by a long shot to show us the entire body of the subject and tracking movements as she is walking into a house, the use of the rule of thirds in this clip brings more focus and attention to this character. As she enters the house she is portrayed through a high angle as she walks up the stairs which shows the viewer that she is vulnerable and powerless. Due to the scenery and the house layout, the audience are able to tell that this was set in the 1940s.

 Overall this is a very well produced opening scene and provides a clear understanding of the genre of this film (War), and provides a brief understanding of what it could be about and who it could be about.

Research into Sci-Fi genre

  Research into Sci-Fi genre opening scene

(0.00-2.43) Divergent is a 2014 American dystopian science fiction film. This film is the first movie in The Divergent Series. This film was produced by Summit Entertainment and Red Wagon Entertainment, and was released on the 4th of April 2014 (UK). The director of this production was Neil Burger and written by Evan Daugherty (screenplay) and Vanessa Taylor (screenplay). The budget of the production was $85,000,000, and grossed $150,947,895 (USA) and the worldwide grossing was $288,885,818. 

The main cast in the film are Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet. This opening clip begins with a panning camera movement which does a 180 turn and then goes into an establishing shot that travels up the wall to make the audience feel as if they are going over the wall. There is a title that appears which tells the audience that the action is all taking place in Chicago. The sound that is used during this scene is the non-diegetic sound of calm and peaceful music, which contrasts the destruction and desolation of the city. From this opening clip we get a sense that the target audience for this movie is around the age group of 14 and above.

                        

As the clip continues we are introduced with a long shot of the inside of the city with different members of the city/society working and talking to one another, all dressed in certain colours and clothes and what seem to be, every individual divided by their clothing. 

The narrative is introduced through this clip and it provides information to the audience that this movie could be about the different groups, but it also get the audience thinking about why they are dressed in similar colours and what it could mean. Through this clip the genre of this film is not well portrayed due to how it comes across as it either comes across as an action film or Sci-Fi film. The sound used in this clip is both diegetic and non-diegetic by the use of the background noises of people talking and working. 

The use of the rule of thirds in the clip show a clear division between the different groups as one group goes to the left side of the frame and the other group go towards to right side. This informs the viewer that there is not one key group they are focusing on and both groups have the same status. But in this clip we are only introduced to two different groups and unsure how many there are. 

As this opening scene continues the following shot is of people walking across a bridge as the camera is going through it, there is a voiceover saying "Were lucky to be in the city" and then the voiceover mentions a war which had taken place which provides a brief understanding to the audience of why the city is full of ruins. The voice that is used for this voiceover is a female voice with a kind and gentle tone which suggests to the viewer that this could be the protagonist of the film.

Overall this opening scene provides a clear vision of what this movie may be about and is very eye grabbing and attention grabbing for the viewer and makes the viewer want to keep watching. Although the genre through this opening scene is hard to identify and is not made clear for the viewer as there are a variety of genres that could be used through this opening scene and it is hard to tell, this is a very well produced and informative opening scene.

Research into Thriller genre

  Research into Thriller genre opening scene

Shutter Island is a 2010 American psychological thriller film, based in 1954. The director of Shutter Island was Martin Scorsese and was written by Laeta Kalogridis (screenplay) and Denis Lehane (novel). The production companies for this film were Paramount Pictures, Phoenix Pictures and Sikella Productions, the budget for this film was $80,000,000 (estimated) and grossed $128,012,934 (USA) and the worldwide grossing was $294,804,195. This production was released in 2010 on the 12th of March (UK) and won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller.

The main characters in the movie are, Leonardo Dicarprio, Emily Mortimer and Mark Ruffalo.

This opening scene begins with text that shows up on the screen that automatically tells the audience where and when this was set, Boston Harbour Islands, 1954. The clip then begins with a wide shot of a ship appearing through fog, which automatically creates a mysterious and uneasy atmosphere, the sound used to portray this clip is diegetic sound of a foghorn, this is synchronous sound.

We are then introduced to a character with their head in a toilet, we are shown with an over the shoulder camera angle of a male character looking at himself in a mirror looking distraught, who comes across as a dominant character, and as possibly the main character of this movie. The characters facial expressions and use of eye-line match show the audience how this character may be feeling. 

The character then proceeds to say, "Pull yourself together Teddy", this automatically provides character information of who this character is and his name, and that the narrative of this movie may be about him. The use of the long shot duration convey intensity and intimacy within the narrative and also allows the viewer to focus upon facial expressions and other aspects of the clip.

We are then introduced with another shot of 'Teddy's' face with a close up zoom in, this then sets the narrative that this production is about him, due to his long screen time and him being in the centre of the frame and the only character we are introduced to at the beginning this shows his potential status and importance throughout this movie as the audience are being informed that he is important, and we must focus on him.

In the scene on the boat, the use of the short depth of field focusing on the fishhooks, and the added ambient sound of the metals clanging, and fog horns all create a sense of eeriness and further influence the ideas that this is a thriller genre movie. 

As this clip continues, we are introduced to another character and both these characters come across as potential partners, this further adds to the narrative of this film and how it comes across and what it may be about. The use of the establishing shot used in this scene shows the viewer that they are in the middle of the sea and in the middle of nowhere, this shows the audience that they are going somewhere, and allows the viewer to use their imagination and discover where they may be going.

In the last clip of this opening scene we are shown an island through an extreme long shot to capture everything in the frame. The sound used when the camera is facing the island is non-diegetic soundtrack of deep and dark instruments playing, as if it signifies danger. This further adds to the genre of this movie and makes it clear that it is a thriller genre movie due to the soundtrack and also the lighting and scenery of the location. From this opening scene you are able to tell the type of audience that is mainly attracted and who it is aimed for, which would be around the age of 16+, as you are able to tell that it is an intense thriller and will contain strong images. Overall this was a very well-produced opening scene and creates a bold narrative as it provides brief but also slightly clear understanding of what this movie could be about, and also introduces possibly the two main characters. From watching this opening scene, I am intrigued and want to watch more.