Researching Film Openings

Analysis

The Edge of Seventeen

The opening scene gives viewers a glimpse into the way Nadine sees the world. It begins with a black screen showing the music chosen for this film's opening creates a sense of adolescence and rebellion, and mirrors the protagonist's life. It begins with a black screen showing the producers and distributors with moving transitions and then the title of the movie in a bright yellow font. The use of vibrant colors, bold font, and creative transitions captures the attention of the audience and creates a sense of youth energy. Then it cuts out to a low-placed angle of a high school, a car comes in and the main character steps out and we are shown her shoes, in the bottom of the screen we are also provided the names of the actors. There is a tilt shot and we are only seeing the back of the main character, then there is a cut and now we see her face she Is stressed out and shaking her hands. The entire time she is seen walking in the opposite direction of her peers and the shots usually go to her feet. The pacing and facial expressions establish the emotional tone for the film which would be, anxious, isolated, and feeling like an outcast.

Analysis 2

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This one begins very differently. It establishes the producer and distributors aswell in a black screen but it also tells us the names of the main characters. This film's opening has a chalky font and in the background, we hear typewriter noises. This creates a joyful but also somber mood. The typewriter makes a noise that it has finished and we are introduced to the title of the film. A song begins to play in the background it reflects a bittersweet nostalgic feeling of youth and the longing for connection. We begin to see a shot of the roof of a tunnel, it is assumed we are in a car and the names of other characters are displayed on the screen, casting directors, the music supervisor, the costume designer, the editor, the production designer, the producers, and the distributors. There is a tilt movement and we see more of the road and the sides. We are constantly seeing the roof with lights and it is dark outside because it is night. The film's opening, rhythm, and overall mood of the film opening take us into the world of the characters and it gives us a sense that there will be an emotional transformation journey throughout the film.