This is my first Vodcast on titles, the three topics of film opening, which are titles, semiotics and narrative expositions. In this vodcast i will be talking about the rom-com genre which I chose for analysis on 5 film openings.
Production Companies: Fox 2000
Pictures, Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures, etc.
Budget: $30,000,000
Gross: $58,715,510
Story-line:
This story is about two best
friends who have known each other from early years and they have always wanted
to have the best wedding ever. They both wanted to be on each others wedding
best girl. However, they got into that situation that they were have to do
their weddings on the same day. The best friends then became best
enemies.
Idents:
Sound Music
Non-diegetic :At 2 min a narrator joins telling the story of who those girls are and
what are their dreams.
Title: When the fist ident of Fox
2000 Pictures opens, there is a non-diegetic
instrumental sound. As an ident Regency Enterprises comes up, the sound is non-diegetic again as the instruments are
used again.
( Add an
Image) After the Production Companies have been introduced an hight angle with a point
of view shot on the book with the colorful writing all
over it was used to give the audience an idea of what the movie is
about.
The sound is still non-diegetic which is including someone
singing from the instrumental scene with the Regency Enterprises opening
Representative
Level: The representations
of the book in the fist scene looks vintage and childish which suggests that it
was made a some time ago. It was pink and had lots of bright colours which connotes girlyness, love and compassion. Even
the title has this contrast of white which
signifies weddings and has a sing of purity.
The colours of everything were
bright and colourful, there were a lot of smiles which suggest that this will
be a positive movie.
Symbolic Level: The bright colours suggest happiness, love
and caring.
Narrative
Expositions: It starts
of with the two little girls putting on bracelets, tiaras and looking at
the old wedding photos. At that point we could only see their little hands.
Mise en scene: They have used tiaras, bracelets and jewelries
which suggests that they are special and they were used there for a
reason. The Locations on identified at 2 min as a Hotel where the wedding was
on. This place must mean a lot as they have mentioned in right at the opening.
The lighting was bright all
through out the opening this tells the audience that this is a rom-com and
not a horror or any other type of genre.
Narrative + Exposition: The binary opposites were used already for example when they compared Andy's life style to the other girls which are wealthier then her dress up better and go by taxi rather than by underground.
Mise en scene: Andy is dressed smart casual where as the other girls are dressed well and fashionable. The lighting varied through out the opening as it depended on the room they were in.
The opening starts when the main character Andrea wipes the mist off the glass where the production co is written. A close up is used to show the movement of Andrea.
The camera then cuts to the next scene where the city is getting established. This was made to show that Andrea is now in NY city, the connotation of that city that it is busy, crowded and it is very hard to get a job there.
To show the names of the actors, the camera did a close up on different young ladies who are dressing up. The movie showed a lot of MaleGaze from the start as the women were sexually shown while dressing up.
A mid shot is used to show the actors again, the names appear on the bottom right, with the bold font, yellow and red. They matched the lighting. Mise and scene of these women are they they dress up posh and that ay tell the audience that they are wealthy and are working in a fashion sphere perhaps because they are choosing their cloths very carefully.
A close-up is made to show that this lady is putting on makeup to look perfect. Again across names appear on the bottom right.
The names are not in capital and are in this nude colour which doesn't attract that much attention. The name Tracie Thomas is fading from one colour to another. It starts with a yellow and slowly moves to the orangey red the same as the lighting of the theme. The left side of the women is bright because the lighting is coming from there the same as the letters of the actors name.
Another close up is made to show how this lady is putting on a lipstick. as she puts the lipstick from left to right one name appears and when she swipes from right to left, another name appears. The connotation of such a movement may suggest that she is romantic, beautiful and she know about it.
There we see a mid-shot of Andre wearing an oversized sweater and pitting chapstick on instead of all these women who were wearing make up beautiful expensive cloths.
The connotation of her costume is that she is smart, doesn't care about fashion and she is clumsy.
Camera then cuts to this women who is wearing that expensive cloth putting on an earring with a mid-shot. Again a name appears but this time it is the music supervisor.
Here a close up is made to make a point of view shot. We know that this is her journal. We can see what day it is and where she is going.
It is a low angle, mid-shot used to show the movement of this women. She is dressed up and ready to go, where as her boyfriend is not dressed and still asleep. This may suggest that he is not working. He might be the boss, a rich heir. Looking at the way he is hair is done, his girlfriend is dressed and leaves the house, we may suggest that he is wealthy and less likely to be low/moddle class person.
Where as Andrea is giving the same sort of kiss the camera is making a long shot to show the setting. To show that it is not the same as the other lady's house. Here I could signifies that they are middle class people as their house is all messy, her boyfriends is not ready to go to work however, he is awake this may suggest that he doesn't work and may have a low paid job.
The camera then cuts to a different place, It is an establishing shot and crane was used to get a hight angle. This shows the audience where the action is happening.
Here different shots are used to show each girl and the way they live.
The fist one is wealthy as the was she is dressed. Her house seems to be a good place for a living. A mid-shot is used here on her left we could see another name appearing the name is in yellow and the Director of photography is in Red this was made to match the walls of the building behind.
Second lady is pitting her leather gloves on this tells us that she is also wealthy and is able to afford the. A long shot is used to show her is a full body, The director of photography appears again red and the name appears on yellow.
And there she is Andrea wearing her usual cloths, inexpensive and unfashionable. An establishing shot is used to show her is a full body side also to show where she lives.
The music is diegetic as we could hear the cars in the street as well as non-diegetic because we can hear a music which comes out of nowhere.
Panning to the left is used in a low angle. This shows that she is the protagonist as the camera follows her after she left home, as well as that she is lost because of the low angle used. It is often used ti show children.
The diegetic because audience could hear her shoes when she walks.
Worms eye view is used here ti signify that Andy is small and weak compared to this place. This makes the audience as well as the central protagonist think what is she doing there and that she doesn't belong in that place.
The opening finishes with this scene when she leaves the lift. A mid shot is used to show where she is as well as her facial expressions.
The name of the director is written in the middle in front of her to make it visible and noticeable even though a nude colour is used as a font.
The music is non-diegetic as well as diegetic, this is because the music ends at the moment when lift door opens. Diegetic because we could hear the door opening.
This story is about a man whose life was now the way he wanted and he wants to go back to hight school to change it. One day she wakes up in a 17 year old boy body and there he has his chance to change his life.
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Offspring Entertainment, etc.
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS.
Idents: Titles: Duration: Sound,Music: Intertextuality + Genre Signifiers: Narrative + Exposition: Mise en scene:
The Production co. came first and after transition fade to black was used to get to the next scene. A panning to the right with an establishing shot, was used to show the setting. Then it cut to another scene. There was 3 different shots were used from different places to show the school.
After a low angle mid-shot was used to show the basketball basket and someone throwing the ball into it. As the ball enters the basket a new line cinema showed up, with a clear black background and light blue tint in bold and capitals. After another the same shot is used to show the basket and the ball entering it, however this time two balls have went into the basket.
Off Spring Entertainment appears. In the same song and place as the New Line Cinema.
A high angle was used after to show who was throwing the ball. A long shot was made to show all his body. Used to show how fast it all happened and that the person who was shown before is a professional and he is good at basketball. During that time not even one ball missed.
The name of the main character has appeared with 1989, this suggests to the reader that this is in the past or future depending on the next scene.
The mise en scene is that the lighting is dull but bright, the main character is not wearing a shirt and that suggests that he is working out and he is sweating.
There are a few basketball balls next to him and that may suggest that he is a basketball player. We have seen someone throwing the balls right into the basket and I assume that it was him. This tells us that he is a great basketball player and he has a bright future.
This is a photo replacement in the scene. An image is used to show that the photograph is taken. It is black and white this suggests that this was taken at least 20 years ago.
This is a high angle shot and more likely to be taken by a crane. This shot shows the movement of the ball and that the game has just started.
A point of view shot is used to show the confusion of Mike (main character) A black effect was used to make the lighting seem dark. This has a connotation of lost and can't find the way out.
And not knowing what to do, fear, the connotations of black are often portrayed as negative. This tells the audience that Mike is lost and doesn't know what to do, and he doesn't know what decision to take.
Another point of view shot is used to show what Mike sees in front of him. This is his coach, In this scene a slow motion is used to emphasise how important is that game to Mike. This slow motion is on a close up and this shows how important was his coach to Mike.
This shot is still in a dark effect, this is Mike's girlfriend, the whole atmosphere changed when she came and talked to him. The lighting went dark and dull, this was showing him feelings. This may suggest that she decided to break up with him or she is leaving or something happened to her. This is again a point of view shot as well as mid shot. This shows that Mike is not focused on the game and that his mind is in a completely different place. In this shot a panning to the left is used to show how she is going towards the exit.
This is a long shot used to show the setting and where the characters are at the moment. The lighting is dark and the way that the light is coming from the doors into the hall, connotes that they are the doors of opportunity and great future.
They are standing in the hall in the darkness with a light towards them signifies that they are missing their great opportunities. However, this may also suggest that this is their bright future and they are very close to it and they can reach it soon.
This is a high angle shot used to show Mike sleeping with a mid-shot. It tell the audience who this man is and where he is on the bottom right. This shows the viewer that he is a grown up man and he is sleeping like a child. His pillow is covered in rockets, stars and planets. This may suggest that he is a lonely man who lives by himself or this may also suggest that he has kids.
Story-line: This story is about a 13 year old girl who plays a game on her 13th birthday and wakes up the next day as 30 year old woman.
Director: Gary Winick
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, etc.
Country: USA
Release date: 23 April 2004
Budget: $37,000,000
Gross: $4,382,272
Production Co: Revolution Studios, Thirteen Productions, etc.
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS Idents:
Revolution Studios
Thirteen Productions
Titles:
The title is completely different compared to the one on the poster.
It is all pink
It is bold
It has an accent on the numbers 13 and 30 which are made by making them larger.
The background is blue and has sparkles which suggest mystery and magic.
Durration: 4.47 minutes Mise en Scene: The costumes are from the 90's because they are bright and colourful. The lighting bright which suggests its a comedy genre. The production companies are introduced here.
durration: 13 sec
durration: 21 sec
The name of the director, writers and others appear on the screen and they are in the middle and have a blue background with stars and sparkles. The font is blond and pink, which suggests that the target audience are females and more likely to young adults and teens.
The background then changes to the sky, The font becomes higher pink. A diegetic music is used to make the beginning soft and settled. Every title was about 3 to 4 seconds.
That background then turns out to be the background for a photo of which the girl who is standing in front of it. The camera zooms out of the clouds and turns into a long shot to set the scene. After it cuts to Jenna . A diegetic and non- diegetic sound is used as you could hear students talking behind her as well as the photographer and flash from the camera. But you could also hear this guitar playing which is a non-diegetic. A is used to show the audience Jenna's (this little girl) facing expression. She is talking to the photographer and the camera cuts between them two and they shots are used to represent a point of view.
A fade to white transition was used to introduce a new scene. As the photo has been taken a title of the movie appears. In bold pink and with the same background which was used to show the actors and directors. However, this time the title is large and stand out more than the other names in this movie. The music is non- diegetic
An over the shoulder shot was used here to show the photo on Jenna, this show was used to inform audience of who Jenna is and what year is it. The music is diegetic and non-diegetic because you could hear her saying "Oh My God".
On the left side you could see how the names started to appear .
They pink and bold again. A mid shot is used to show the boy. The camera cuts from Jenna to this boy and back to her. This may suggest to the audience that they are both the main characters and there might be a potential relationship.
Another 3 names appear in front of her . A mid shot is used again to show her looking at her photo, as it shows her face as well as there arms holding a photo. The music is diegetic and non-diegetic again as you could hear the bell and other students talking as well as a music which is not visible. Mise en scene of her costume may and the way everyone who surrounds her may suggest that this was set in the 90's. There are lockers behind her and lots of young people. This may suggest that this was set in school.
This is a long shot which establishes the scene. You could see students, lockers and backpacks with have a connotation of school.
The girl is the middle is holding a photo, this may suggest that she is proud of it as they way she walks connotes that she is strong, popular and powerful. The denotation of group of girls who follow her behind, connote that she is popular. As well as all the people who surround her are looking at her as if she is famous. The music gets tough and powerful as the girls appear in the scene. The music is non-diegetic but it was made so the audience know who Jenna is looking forward to be.
The scene then cuts to Jenna and Matt (the boy who is maybe the match character) walking on the pavement. The Production Co. appear on the top in bright pick again. Establishing shot with a high angle was used to show the audience that they are not in school anymore. This may suggest that school is over and its evening. The mise en scene is that the scene is bright and sunny and they are not wearing winter cloths, grass is green. This may suggest that it is autumn as they are wearing sweaters.
Another establishing shot with a high angle has been used to shoe they characters entering their house. Their houses are very close to each other this may suggest they that they know each other very well and perhaps have been friends since childhood.
The name of the director appears at the middle. In bold and pink and it is larger than any other names. This may suggest that he is the USP here. The music is diegetic and non-diegetic as has a dog barking,birds tweeting. However you cant see them in the actual shot. Also a quite music is still playing.
Overall this movie has some great shots and angles. The title came at the beginning also all the actors names are visible and attracts audiences attention. The mise en scene is that the lighting is good and it matches the characters status. When the group of girls appear the lighting turns a bit darker. Also at the beginning when Jenna appears her background is blue sky with white and clear clouds. This has the connotation of her being nice, polite and a nice girl in general (innocent). Their costumes suggest that this was happening in the 90's as they have those bright cloth, denim baggy coats and those bright fluffy hair-ties. I have done a vodcast where I have included this movie and how it appeared in the opening in terms of titles, semiotics and narrative structure.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
A high angle was used after to show who was throwing the ball. A long shot was made to show all his body.
This is a high angle shot used to show Mike sleeping with a mid-shot. It tell the audience who this man is and where he is on the bottom right. This shows the viewer that he is a grown up man and he is sleeping like a child. His pillow is covered in rockets, stars and planets. This may suggest that he is a lonely man who lives by himself or this may also suggest that he has kids.
An over the shoulder shot was used here to show the photo on Jenna, this show was used to inform audience of who Jenna is and what year is it. The music is diegetic and non-diegetic because you could hear her saying "Oh My God".
This is a long shot which establishes the scene. You could see students, lockers and backpacks with have a connotation of school.
