Video; Film openings initial research

I have chosen to produce a 2 minute opening of a genre film which will include a title sequence.

I have looked into some different areas and genres of films which have particular styles and characteristics as well as the use of film openings in general.

firstly films in general...
- Films use generic conventions to set up a viewers expectations for the film from the very begining of a film , if an audience can identify particular conventions they are able to realise the genre and will find pleasure when their expectations are fore filled.

Dog Soldiers is a very good example of how genre can create expectations for the audience in the start of the film...
- All the generic conventions of a typical horror and more specifically werewolf horror are included in the opening of the film. There is a defenceless couple, shot at night time/ moonlight, a full moon, wolf howls and a silver steak. This immediately sets up an audience expectation of werewolves and their first expectation is proven right when the couple are killed. A binary opposition is created when cooper is told to kill the dog and wont so the other character does, we as an audience then empathise with cooper this making him our propian hero.
- The build of the character roles enables the audience to create the expectation of restored equilibrium by the propian hero, this disruption that must be restored is already demonstrated in the initial few scenes of the film, when there is the introduction of the werewolf and the couple is killed. The reinforcement of binary opposites is shown through the character that kills the dog when our Propian hero will not, making the other character his opposite and the villain. This role gives the expectation that ‘the villain’ will add to the disruption of the narrative. But the hero will over come and restore the narrative.

Hollywood product...

- Hollywood genres are very easily identified initially through particularly through actors/ actresses, trailers and soundtracks. This early establishment enables audiences to ensure that they will enjoy the film if they are preferential to the genre. Hollywood product has particular film grammar which creates an idea of fiction story telling in the film, this is shown through rules of filming such as continuity editing, the 180 degree rule and the actors / actresses lack of interaction with the audience. In Hollywood product there are narrative conventions such as preliminary equilibrium, the disruption of this and then finally the restoration of this by the hero character role. The financiers of these films are large studios such as universal and Warner, meaning they need to be morally and politically correct with no alternative content for their target audiences to be green lighted.


Social realist films...

- There are still many generic conventions of social realist film; however the content is some what alternative in comparison to more mainstream product. A social realist film is usually very dialogue heavy, creating a more dramatic and serious feel. The soundtrack, if used, is recognisable and relevant to the content and era of the film. For instance in the film ‘This is England’ used a ska and reggae orientated soundtrack associated with the skin head culture of the period, this relevance reinforces the realism. These films use on location shooting and at most times natural lighting with bland colour design , just as life is not saturated and bright all the time.