Film Opening Research #1 - Divergent

Divergent Opening Scene

1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? There are about 30 titles.
2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? The opening sequence prioritizes showing the location and the functions of this dystopian city. It introduces all the factions, what they do, what they're like, where they live, and how they interact. It emphasizes showing the tarnished city to show how much time has passes since the war.
3. What connotations do the images carry? These images connote the meaning of conformity and dictatorship by showing people being segregated so strictly from a harsh government. It provokes a sense of longing to escape from the narrator saying that this area is all they know and they cannot leave.
4. How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? It is reinforced by very literal symbols shown in the beginning. The separation of the population in order to form a working society shows how far the cruel government goes to hold power. The pirate ship shown in an overgrown field enforces how long has passed since their war. The old buildings and metal in the city show that they are old and contrasts the society they live in today. The score builds up to introduce the setting, but it seems hopeful.
5. How does the film establish an enigma [mystery] from the outset? It does this by the narrator describing everyone's job and how well their system works. Then she says, "Everyone has their place... except for me." This sets up the conflict for the movie but has viewers wondering what will happen to her and why she doesn't fit in. 
6. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? The score uses hopeful sounds and makes everything seem very content and bright. This will attract viewers to keep watching because they suspect that things are not as perfect as they seem. 
7. How has technology been used effectively? The technology is used in the right way because it is shown along with buildings incorporated into the city, then shown with modern technology to emphasize that this takes place in the future. The shots are mostly establishing shots to show the setting. The dolly shots make it seem like the viewer is walking into and experiencing the life of all factions of this city. The lighting plays a big part in showing who is wealthy, or valued in society and who is not.

Film Opening Research #2 - Interstellar

                                                      

                                                                             Interstellar Opening Scene     

1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? The only title displayed during the opening scene is the title of the movie at the beginning.
2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? The images prioritized in the opening sequence are shots that establish the setting. It shows wind blowing through a corn field and contrasts this with a dream of a jet flying through the sky and a man failing to control it and crashing. It combines this with the man waking up from this dream mixed with a documentary-style of interviewing old people who were probably alive during this time.
3. What connotations do the images carry? The connotations that the images carry are that something has happened that has changed the setting from what it used to be. It shows how windy, dusty, and barren it was, other than corn fields. The dream of the man flying the plane shows that he still thinks about this time and may either miss it or is still traumatized from it. The man looking out the window at the corn field shows that he is concerned about the future with the dust getting worse.
4. How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? This genre is reinforced through the setting being barren. It may be seen as taking place in the future because of the increasingly concerning environmental issue. The technology of the jet looks different from jets we see today and more advanced, which makes it seem futuristic. The score was low, and then got louder, but it almost sounded vibrating, which makes viewers a bit uncomfortable or concerned. The colors are mostly dull and dark, which can create a sad and/or hopeless feeling.
5. How does the film establish an enigma [mystery] from the outset?. The film establishes enigma by contrasting the interview from flashbacks. It shows that these people survived the dust, but the man from the beginning is not there, so that makes viewers wonder where he went. It shows that he flew the plane, but probably doesn't anymore, so viewers may wonder if he stopped flying because of the crash or if he will ever fly again. The dust seems to be getting worse, so viewers will wonder how the people were able to survive it.
6. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? This movie can appeal to many audiences, but it draws them in from the mystery that is set up in the beginning. People will wonder how or what things happened and that keeps them watching. The score building and getting quieter adds to the mystery.
7. How has technology been used effectively? Technology such as lighting creates suspense and concern when showing bits of character's faces in the dark. When the man looks out the window and sees the blue sky, it shows him looking concerned with a close-up, which emphasizes this emotion. The dull colors add to the suspense when contrasted with the more vibrant colors in the future scenes. The score adds to the suspense rising and falling to emphasize certain frames of the scene. In the plane crash scene, the camera shakes and alarms beep. Along with the wind sounds, this creates a sense of fear and being overwhelmed, only for viewers to learn that it was actually a flashback in a dream.

My Film Opening- Genre + Group Members

I am doing a film opening in the Dystopian Thriller genre.

I am working with Thalia and Koby.

Genre Research - PowerPoint Presentation