Point 28: Aural Diagram

This is the aural diagram I created for the opening minutes of 'Ferris Belier's Day Off'. Creating this has helped me to realise the importance of preplanning the sound for my own opening sequence and just how affective it can be. It has inspired me to try and use some foley as well as a soundtrack to create a realistic environemnt.

Point 26: Investigation of Narrative Theories

Point 24: Key Elements of Genre Checklist

The genre being an independent music film gives me clear guidelines to follow in order for my opening to conform with the expectations of the film.

To include:

Mis En Scene and Cinematography

1. Multiple shots from experimental angles and views.
2. Natural lighting during normal scenes, e.g. Bedroom
3. Dark lighting for concert and dream scene.
4. Sound must be realistic with clear music.
5. Costumes must be realistic to scenesters and alternative teenagers.
6. Props include musical instruments.
7. Keeping the pace with multiple shots.

Expectations of Film Opening

1. Fast paced.
2. Setting the scene.
3. Overview of the protagonist.
4. Music from the outset due to it being about music.
5. Independent so realistic and relatable to target audience.

Audience

1. Due to target audience being teenagers and young adults make sure they can relate to opening.
2. Keep it realistic and gritty so they can associate with it.
3. Allow audience to feel a sense of understanding with the protagonist wanting to achieve their dream.

Point 18: Audience Research

A fast paced beginning with upbeat music is one way that you can create a good opening to a film. Begin Again is a good example of this with the fast paced music and multiple settings within the first couple of minutes. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is another good example of an opening that attracts people to films. The beginning has the main protagonist talking directly to the audience about his life. This resonates with the target audience who can relate to the character of Ferris wanting to skive off school. It also uses fast paced music and multiple camera actions to keep the pace of the movie going. When a movie starts and they have long introductions with a lot of title texts and nothing going on audience are put off. It is important that when the title text comes up you keep it interesting by not having a plain screen or having the text up for too long. People are more attracted to movies which are fast paced from the start rather than a movie with a slow start and a large about of title text.

                                                            

Ferris Beuller's Day Off also uses the opening sequence to establish the relationship between the different characters and their individual personalities. The use of the camera shots which show the protagonist facing the camera and creating dramatic irony by including the audience in on his lie about being ill.         

Point 15: Key Shots of "Juno"

This photo from the film “Juno” is an example of a low shot. This allows the audience to see what is going on in the bottom half of the scene. It is a good establishing shot so the audience can get an understanding of the surrounding. For independent film it’s a great way of showing the realistic surrounding of the place like it does here with an empty box and an old chair on the street.

This is a worm eye view that is used as an establishing shot to allow the audience to further understand the setting and surrounding of the film. It could represent how the town is close knit and well connected. It also shows how the place isn’t perfect and how this could possibly be reflected in the story with the focus on the tangle of wires. Like the low angle shot this is allowing the audience to see what is above and below their level of eyesight.

This is an establishing long shot used in the introduction of the film and allows the target audience, which are teenagers, relate to the protagonist. She isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and appears to be walking past a park. This allows the audience to gain a clearer understanding on how normal the town is that the movie is set in.

This is a low angle, wide shot which allows the audience to see the protagonist as a whole. As the title text comes up ‘Juno’, this is fitting as the actor is playing Juno and she is the central focus in this shot. The character is wearing normal clothes and seems to not care much about her appearance. This could reflect the characters personality later on in the film.

This is a medium close-up shot that shows the character opening what appears to be a pint of milk before she drinks it. This reminds me that is important to vary camera angles and shots in order to make the film more interesting.

Over the shoulder mid shot is used within this scene and since the opening is the protagonists journey to the shop this is fitting as it allows the audience to feels as though they are going to the shop with her.

The use of a medium close up for this shot allows the audience to have a clear view of the characters facial expression. She seems to be carefree much like a stereotypical teenager, which is the target audience. Due to the fact that the text on the screen being the actresses name it creates a clear focus on the person so the audience match the two together.

A birds-eye view is used for this shot and shows how within independent films you are able to experiment with your camera shots. It shows the character from a completely different angle and allows the text to be seen on the pavement. 

A birds-eye view is used for this shot and shows how within independent films you are able to experiment with your camera shots. It shows the character from a completely different angle and allows the text to be seen on the pavement.