Experiment:
what is the function of the opening sequence in films?
Stage one: what variables shall we consider?
|
SETTING A SCENE
|
ESTABLISHING GENRE |
INTRODUCING CHARACTERS |
PLOT |
DIALOGUE |
| place |
'what category of film is this?' | how do the characters 'grab our attention'? | what are the first building blocks of plot? | how does the style of the dialogue reinforce the definition of genre? |
| emotions |
how does this film 'grab the viewer's attention'? | from whose point of view are we following the film? | how is the viewer intrigued? | how does the style of dialogue contribute to the establishment of place and setting? |
| atmosphere |
what is the role of the photography, the 'look' of the film? | what puzzles are set for the viewer? | how does dialogue help us in imagining the characters? | |
| mood |
is there a problem? | how does dialogue contribute to plot? | ||
| music | is the opening action interesting in itself? |
Stage Two: APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THIS EXPERIMENT:
at least two
films (we must be able to make a comparison);
tv/ video
Film One: Gormenghast (Andy Wilson)
Film Two: Manhattan (Woody Allen)
Film Three: All about my mother (Pedro Almodóvar)
Film four: Carla's Song (Ken Loach)
