Textual Analysis of Opening 2

minutes (minus titling)Aims

1. To develop a good understanding/ appreciation of common film techniques used to create the opening minutes of a feature film.

2. To gain a realistic understanding of how much of the films storyline is conveyed in the opening 2 minutes

3. To gain a realistic understanding of how much action/information is afforded to audiences in the opening 2 minutes

Select the opening of a single film to study. Based on research findings collected so far, bullet point those generic codes and conventions that are present in the opening 2 minutes and how they a)combine to help set the tone of the film and establish its genre b) put audiences into the right mood, set the context and/or try to provide a pleasurable start to the film ?

(Extension Task If any, which generic conventions were developed or challenged and how did it add appeal?)

Whiplash• Diegetic sound behind title• Distributor first title• Title of film appears (does not in films I studied) but only for 5 seconds• Long shot of corridor leading to boy playing drums (the diegetic sound behind the title),

only appears once hes stopped. This is to make full use of the build up of tempo; the sudden stop is emphasized by the beginning of the narrative. Once he starts again the camera moves towards him symbolizing an imminent revelation.

This helped set the tone of the film because:

Franco Todorov-Bulgarian philosopher coined the term narratology meaning to look at units of meaning in a text. Todorov felt that all stories start in a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted, setting in a motion a chain of events. The resolution of the story is the creation of new/different equilibrium.  Applying to audiences.Why in everyday life do you think that when we are sharing sad, happy, exciting or surprising events with one another that we often want to explain events in terms of beginnings, middle and an end? Why do you think starting with a beginning, middle and end often works for audiences? However, can you think of any why opening up a film with a stage other than an equilibrium or disruption of an equilibrium stage, might be just as appealing to an audience? CAUTION!!!! AS Level examiners have grown to HATE the way students simply think it is enough to Todorov

Applying The Theory of Todorov

Applying The Theory of Todorov

Study the opening 2 minutes of 2-3 films, which stages of narrative are audiences gifted in the first 120 seconds.

Film Title Todorov Stage(s) of Narrative made available to audiences in the first 120 seconds

Overall, how much action, dialogue, ideas or characters are afforded to audiences in the first 120 seconds

Whiplash Boy playing drums / something approaches him

No dialogueAction of boy playing drums very fastOnly the boy is revealed in first 120s, implies he is protagonist

Walk the Line Prison setting / Band plays in front of applauding prisoners. The melancholy non-audio setting is the ‘norm’ whereas the melodious backdrop to the close up of prison guards signifies the disturbance to the equilibrium.

No dialogue as guards stands on prison tower, music in background disturbs them. The absence of dialogue between the guards shows their confidence in dealing with the threat . As the music plays there are shots of empty cell blocks and pacing prison guards. This implies that the music has ‘liberated’ the prisoners and the guards will not allow it.

Ray

You have 120 seconds to make good use all 4 film techniques to help create a memorable opening to a feature film. Using the same films, complete the task below

Film Title How would you describe the film’s opening tone, appeal pleasure, purpose, pace and/or representation of characters or settings?

Using your knowledge of all 4 film techniques. At the level of production, provide examples of how did the film maker achieved the latter? How do you suspect the film maker used what they know about audience's taste, expectations and experience of film to add to the appeal of the opening 2mins

Whiplash Opening tone is enigmatic, it doesn’t give much away. There is no music during the title sequence (for a musical movie) which conflicts with convention. The title of the film appears among a black screen for 5 seconds, there is diegetic sound behind the title of the film. This introduces the theme of the film – that the diegetic sound is directly infused with the direction of the film. The placing of the protagonist in a narrow corridor with low key lighting introduces a dark theme to the film, the audience feels a desire to learn more about this abstract character. The fact that the camera seems to approach him signifies to the audience that the dark theme of the film is, or will be, tied to him in some way.

Narrow corridor emphasizes the character is a central figureBy breaking away from convention and not including title music as a constant during the sequence the audience is taken off guard. The mood is represented as dull and blunt; the film maker has utilised the use of drums (blunt instrument that produces dull sounds) to emphasize this tone.

The boy plays alone in a dark, low key setting, it implies that he is dedicated to becoming better.

Walk the Line Enigmatic, fragmented, blunt Title sequence has no musical backdrop. Block letters among black screen – blunt. Establishing shot of prison setting, prison connotations are dark, dangerous. Prison guard is a shadowy figure from that distance, he’s holding a gun showing there is a zero tolerance policy in the prison; it also infers that the prisoners are incredibly dangerous. The focus on a crow emphasizes the dullness as crows are considered a bad omen. The title appears on the same shot of the crow, this synthesis connotes that the film is going to be an unapologetically, emotionally-blunt film (signified by block letters of title).

Walk the Line- ForebodingTitle appears once crow flies in, the background is out of focus to emphasize the importance of the crow; its not just a coincidence. The crow can be seen as a bad omen, it may represent a sense of misfortune to certain characters within the prison. We know the crow is linked to the prison due to the film maker using the rule of thirds to have the prison in the background (to the left). The fact that the title comes once the crow arrives may imply that the general tone of the film is one of ominous foreboding.

The very first shot the audience sees is a long shot of the prison. There is no build up to this shot, meaning from the very beginning the tone is very bleak. Prison represents lack of freedom; therefore the equilibrium at the very beginning is a situation of imprisonment. The dark outline of a prison guard with a gun in his hand can be frightening, it forebodes death. The tone of foreboding is emphasized by the presence of dark clouds- the threatening of disturbance to present equilibrium

Slow revealing shot of prison sign. The fact that this shot has been dedicated to the sign alone signifies that the prison is likely an infamous one. It forebodes a higher pedigree of danger. This is emphasized by the low rumbling sound in the background.

Walk the Line- repressionThe low rumbling in the background is slowly ‘invaded’ by a musical sound. The reaction of the prison guard is an instant, muted change of direction towards the sound. This emphasizes the ruthlessness of the prison guard as he is composed but also aroused; this signifies a desire to repress.

The movement of the camera parallels the movement of the prison guards. The pace of the guards does not increase signifying that they still have retained their composure (and are most likely very experienced).

Walk the Line- liberation

Fast movement of the camera as it passes prison cells (crabbing shot). This emphasizes the absence of the prisoners inside the cell. Knowing the pedigree of the prisoners, this can be seen as very dangerous. The music in the background grows in sound as more cells are shown to be empty. In conclusion the empty cells signifies the liberation of the prisoners by the music