Primary Protagonist (Luke): The main character in the opening scene, a calm and collected character who has an expertise in fighting through the training he received in the military. His role in the Puppeteers company is highly disputed as his constant disregard of the set rules and his natural leadership qualities leave him as a major concern for mutiny to the Puppeteer, his mysterious and relaxed nature is integral in his antisocial behaviour towards the other members of the corporation. We have chosen to make this character have these character traits as we believe that the antisocial and somewhat uncaring attitude can help the audience relate this character to others from the action genre due to the masculinity and strength shown in the characters personality.
Secondary Protagonist (Matt): The supposed partner to the main character in the opening scene, he in many ways contrasts the quiet and serious nature of the protagonist as his light-hearted and humorous approach helps lighten the somewhat atmosphere of the group. He is known to be somewhat clumsy and forgetful but is also known to be a great leader due to his vast charismatic skill and ability to talk to most people, also accompanied with his high skill in weaponry and tactics. We have chosen to give this personality to this character as more often or not in action films the main protagonist is contrasted through the secondary protagonist as direct opposites.
Primary Antagonist (Bill): The main antagonist of the opening scene; a power hungry and manipulative tyrant, a criminal mastermind in the streets of London who's cruel and abusive tactics have made him a feared adversary amongst the cities authorities. He is an upper class businessman who gave into insanity's grip as shown by his unquenchable blood-lust and enjoyment in others misfortune, his upper class but maniacal look helps add an ominous and slightly eerie look to this business tycoon. We have chosen to make the antagonist of the film possess these traits as we believe that these characteristics will give him an original and idealistic personality which people can immediately assume his villainous nature and link him with other antagonists from other action films.
Secondary Antagonist (Conor): A professional assassin; known throughout the corporation as one of the best in business, his no-nonsense and meticulous attitude to his work has acquired him a reputation amongst his peers as one not to be messed with. His headstrong and sadistic personality ensures that although many find his profession inhumane, he is known to often enjoy the thrill given to him through physical combat or dangerous stunts and enjoys the psychological torture in which he can inflict upon his opponents. We have chosen to give this character this no-nonsense attitude as we believe the professionalism portrayed from this character will help emphasize the characters intentions and easily separate him from the main protagonists and allow him to stand out amongst the other characters.
We have decided to make either a horror or an action film for our opening scene to a movie, for a horror movie we have a couple of different ideas including the use of a villain which we have decide will be either a murderer or some sort of paranormal entity which in some ways affects the main characters. The horror movie would incorporate some horror cliches such as the antagonistic values of a scary villain to help emphasize to the audience of the horror film values. For the action film we would use a hero and villain to emphasize the action stereotypes and would involve some sort of fight or chase scene.
Setting:
We have researched a variety of settings to showcase our opening scene including the use of our local train station during the night-time. We have also looked at st Peters Mortuary and West Parks mental hospital in Esher if we are using a paranormal entity as our main antagonist as its desolate portrayal and oldness showcasing on the various walls and floors present helps add atmosphere to the film. The mortuary and mental hospital are abandoned but are open to the public which allows us full access to any various needs we may require from the settings. For the action film we may use a wooded area to help add the mysteriousness needed in the plot and allows us to manipulate the environment with ease as their would be no limitations on that.
Characters:
In the opening scene we will have around 3-6 characters depending on whether the choice of antagonist is a murderer or paranormal entity which is central in the film. There will be a main protagonist and antagonist to the film and we may also feature some other characters to help bring support and realism to the film. The main character may be female as that can showcase the vulnerability of the main character if needed be, however the main characters role may change according to the setting of the film. In the action film we would use a hero and villain as the main characters but may also introduce other characters to smooth the narrative of the opening scene and allow it to seem more realistic.
For our preliminary task we were asked to film a short scene involving three types of shots including a match on action shot, a shot-reverse shot and the 180 degrees shot.
Strengths - In the filming of the scene we were able to establish to the audience of the setting of he scene and correlated the scenes geography well as our camera shots stuck to the 180 degrees rule, this ensured that the audience would not become disorientated and or confused of where the characters are positioned in the scene. In the scene we used a variety of different camera shots to help emphasize the scene to the audience. During the editing of the film we were able to ensure that we got a nice clean cut between shots for the majority of the scene which makes the scene more fluent and easier to watch. We also ensured to stick to the 30 degree rule whilst filming which helps set the narrative.
Weaknesses - In the scene some weaknesses were present, this includes the quality of the filming as whilst we were filming the camera slightly wobbled during the filming of the scene. Also in some parts of the film, some scenes were prolonged which may be classed as unprofessional as the scene may become more fluent if the scene is cut quicker. One of the cuts appears slightly jerky as the camera wasn't steady during the filming so this has become slightly more obvious when the film has been edited and the shots have been sequenced together. It is also apparent that the lighting between the many shots shown differs substantially which may make the film seem a lot less realistic to the audience.
We have set some targets for our film including: using a tripod to ensure that there is no camera wobble which will allow us to ensure the shot is stable and focused and during the editing process it would ensure that the film will run smoothly and add realism to the scene. We also would need to make sure that the lighting during the scenes is constant which will allow the film to seem more realistic to the audience and emphasizes the camera shots and the dialogue.
A shot reverse shot is usually portrayed in films during a conversation between two characters in the movie and normally involves the supposed characters looking at each other during the dialogue and this leads the audience to assume that they are looking at each other. You as the audience are supposed to see what the characters see in the scene as the camera revolves around the characters.
The shot reverse shot is usually depicted with an over the shoulder shot of each character to help emphasize the dialogue between them and the fact that they are supposedly talking to eachother. The 180 degree rule is often associated with this type of shot as it is essential in a film to ensure that the audience constantly understand where each character is positioned in the scene.
The 180 degree rule refers to the alignment of characters in accordance to another character or object when they are interacted with in the setting of the scene. It is imperative that the object being filmed is always in the center of the shot whilst the camera is required to face towards the object. Sometimes a break in the 180 degree rule is required to add effect to the scene being displayed, this may be used to create a lost feeling within a character which the audience can follow or for dramatic purposes if the story supports it.
The match on action shot refers to the films editing techniques in which the editor cuts from the original shot to another shot that matches the first shots actions. Match on action helps emphasize a continuity of time during the scene.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Opening Scene Analysis (Own Choice)
In the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone non-diegetic music is used extensively to reflect the narratives of the story and contrast the magical and unknown elements of the storyline. The music is quiet, mysterious and relatively fast paced which helps engage the audience and emphasize the importance of the characters shown on screen. The music is used constantly with the opening scene as its gradual but effective tone creates the atmosphere for the movie and also helps emphasize to the audience of when a character of importance is introduced. We are also introduced to a variety of non-diegetic sounds which help emphasize the mysteriousness of the film and its elements which are still unknown to the audience. Diegetic sound is used in the dialogue between the two characters shown as their conversation helps reveal to the audience of who the main character is and it helps establish the setting of the beginning of the film.
An establishing shot is first used of the initial setting of Privet Drive, this establishes to the audience of where the narrative at the beginning of the film will take place and also allows the audience to relate this shot to their respective houses. A tracking shot follows the first character introduced to reveal to the audience the importance of this character and with help from the non-diegetic music allows them to infer that he has an important role in this movie. This is also present when the next character is present as the camera eventually becomes centered on and around a cat, this leads the audience to assume that this is also a main character. A two shot is used of Dumbledore and McGonagall to reveal to the audience of what the main character in the narrative is and they help show the audience of the characters origins and how he arrived at the desired setting. Their conversation also allows the introduction of a new character into the opening scene in which he is introduced through a variety of non-diegetic music and camera shots; although a tracking shot was primarily used to help infer to the audience of the speed at which the character is travelling. There is a constant use of close-ups revolving around the three original characters introduced which helps engage the audience more into the plot of the story as the characters become more personalized to the audience as their personalities and character traits are shown constantly throughout the opening scene of the movie. At the end of the opening scene we as the audience are introduced to the primary protagonist of the film and we assume this because of the camera shots he is involved in; which help contrast the innocence of a child to the somewhat dark atmosphere of the film. A close-up shot is used of the character to help emphasize the potential power of this character and the scar on his forehead suggests that he has been somewhat affected by another being in the setting.
The protagonist is introduced towards the end of the opening scene when Dumbledore labels him, the audience recognises that he is the main characters through the use of the dialogue between the other three characters present and the camera shots in which he is involved in. He is also the talking point of the conversation between Dumbledore and McGonagall as apparently he was involved in a tragic event which has left him with just a scar. We are also introduced to three other characters who we assume will have a integral role in terms of the main character as the camera shots they are involved in and the information we learn about them helps to personalize the characters to the audience and can allow the audience to relate the characters to other characters present in the specified genre.
The audience can see that the two characters presented in the beginning of the opening scene are wearing large colourful cloaks and large hats which helps to add the element of mystery to the characters and it allows the audience to infer why they are wearing the given clothing. This unusual clothing showcases to the audience the hidden elements of the supposed setting and emphasizes the narrative of the story to the audience.
The audience is constantly left with certain puzzles about the characters in the opening scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone about where the characters work as they often refer to eachother with a higher class term such as professor. The audience is also left with questions unanswered about the origins and events the boy introduced has been involved in and where he received the notable scar from.
Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl Opening Scene Analysis (Own Choice)
Sound is very important within an adventure film as its constant use of ambiance and music helps set the mood of the audience and the atmosphere they receive at given points in the film. Diegetic sound is present through the entirety of the opening scene and is first used during the slow and poetic song being sang by a girl, the song is effective as it adds a sense of mystery into the opening scene as the song is strange and dark which helps set the tone of the opening scene. This is accompanied by the constant noises both the ship and the water create to help add realism into the film and allows the scene to be established to a higher degree. Diegetic sound is also present in the dialogue between the characters at the beginning of the opening scene as the dialogue reveals to the audience the setting of the film and the immediate danger that the characters are introduced in is typical of the adventure genre as it constantly keeps the audience engaged with those sort of tense moments. The dialogue is also essential in proclaiming to the audience the known relationships between the characters introduced and allows us to assume that the characters are of a higher class due to their various titles they label eachother with. The scene eventually develops a slow rhythmatic non-diegetic music to infer to the audience that there is only a matter of time before something will happen and as the scene progresses the music becomes more intense and fast paced and when accompanied with the vivid imagery and sound of a burning vessel helps emphasize the danger present and creates a tense atmosphere for the audience. Ambiance also features heavily within this opening scene as it helps reveal to the audience when something significant to the narrative of the film is shown and allows the scene to become more effective and immerses the audience more.
An establishing shot is used of the setting which in this case is a medieval vessel sailing on open ocean, this establishes to the audience on where the narrative of the movie will take place and allows us to assume that the ocean will play a major part in the story-line. Individual close-up shots are used to help introduce the characters to the audience, and helps personalize the character and their personality more. A two shot is used between Gibbs and Elizabeth to help inform the audience of the main feature of the film and helps establish the setting of the film and allows us to infer that these are two of the main characters. Afterwards an over the shoulder shot is used to help reveal to the audience the potential power each individual character presents with Norrington seeming far more dominant due to his clothing and dialogue. A two shot is used of Norrington and Captain Swan to help show their relevance to one of the supposed main characters of the film and helps show the relationship between these characters, helping personalize them to the audience more. A tracking shot is used after we are introduced to a young male character to help infer to the audience the importance of this character and helps engage them in the movie as it reveals to the audience that he has supposedly been involved in a pirate attack. When this character is introduced the audience assume he is one of the main characters as the camera focuses largely on him and the dialogue between him and Elizabeth is purposely short; this may be due to the emphatic use of profound information which informs the audience of the character but he is otherwise unknown in this opening scene which helps the audience assume that he is important in the film.
Two of the main characters are introduced in the opening scene as the audience are extensively shown the young girl and later on the young boy, The audience recognises that these are the main characters through the extensive use of camera shots centering around them and the dialogue involving the two which informs the audience of their supposed names and roles.We are also introduced to some important supporting cast as the majority of the dialogue in the opening scene involves a few of these characters including: Norrington, Captain Swan and Gibbs. These characters are introduced to help emphasize to the audience the realism of the film and also allows us to relate this movie to others of the genre.
The audience can see that the majority of the characters shown are wearing upper class uniforms which infers to the audience that these characters are relatively important in terms of the narratives hierarchy and allows us to contrast this to the supposed lower class styling of Will. This is typical of the genre as they usually depict a wide array of characters in terms of race, gender and backgrounds as it helps engage the audience more into the storyline as they can relate more to the characters as they eventually become more personalized during the scene.
Certain questions are left unanswered in the opening scene such as the origins of one of the main protagonists and what happened to the supposed merchant vessel and pirate ship after that night. The audience is left puzzled due to the relative amount of information on the so called pirate ship but this only emphasizes to the audience that the pirate ship shown will be of some relevance to the film as well as the characters shown. The audience will want to know what happens to the characters after the events shown on screen and this helps immerse the audience into the plot of the story and engages them in the characters portrayals.
Jurassic Park is introduced to the audience first by using a tracking shot of leaves rustling to help establish to the audience through the use of diegetic sound the type of creature they are dealing with. The shot doesn't seem to focus on a set character at the beginning which gives it a hint of mystery and keeps what we can assume to be the main antagonist a secret which is typical of the genre as they usually act upon this curiosity to help emphasize the antagonist to the audience and allows us to sympathize the characters on screen who are placed near it. The shot then eventually begins to center around a character and zooms in to help add effect and shows the audience the emotional status of those involved. As the scene develops we are introduced to a low angle panning shot of a steel crate which helps suggest to the audience that in some ways the creature located in the crate is more dominant then the characters portrayed in this scene. Afterwards we are introduced to a long shot of the steel crate and the supposed setting of the film which is established through the use of text at the bottom of the screen. A point of view shot is used of the creature to reveal to the audience the creatures sights and motives and the audience can then infer that this will be the main antagonist of the film as the camera has indirectly centered around the creature for the whole opening scene. The scene afterwards contrasts the antagonists power and dominance over the characters as shown earlier by the low angle shot as the creature shifts the so called 'gatekeepers' power as the high angle shot of him is replaced with a less personalized and eye level shot oh him being attacked.
A low pitched dramatic non-diegetic music is used in the opening credits to help set the atmosphere of the scene which follows and allows the audience to be become immersed into the characters situations quicker. Diegetic sound is used between the narrative events occurring on screen and the dialogue between the characters to help emphasize to the audience the power of the creature and allows them to relate the creature to others from a similar genre. The camera constantly focuses on those who emit sound on screen as it helps set the scene and brings a greater sense of realism into the setting and can allow the audience to relate the exotic location to a place they know of. The dialogue between the characters for the majority of the opening scene is minimal as that allows a primary focus to be on the antagonist and how it affects those around it. The diegetic sound of the monster is sharp and strong and this helps contrast the power that is represented in this scene as the characters are shown to take extreme precaution in handling the creature.
Some characters are introduced in the opening scene including the primary antagonist and a couple of secondary characters and this difference in importance to the plot line helps emphasize the antagonist and its influence to the audience. The audience recognizes that the main antagonist is present as the camera is mostly centered around the creature and the dialogue of the secondary characters present suggest that the creature is evil. The secondary characters present are all wearing the same blue workers uniform which infers to the audience that they are not of real importance but one character is centered more in terms of camera shots and he is wearing a hunter type outfit. His dialogue and uniform suggests that he has a leader like role and could be of more importance to the film then the others around him.
In the opening scene the audience would identify by looking at the mise-en-scene, certain symbols which are present to suggest to the audience the power of the antagonist; this includes the extensive precaution used to keep it restrained and the weapons which are present in the later stages show that it will be a problem later on in the film. This can make the audience feel like this is the primary setting of the film as the antagonist is situated here which may infer that the main characters are yet to be introduced to the audience.
Certain puzzles are used in the opening scene which primarily revolves around the antagonist present including: its origins of how it was created and where it currently is situated in the film. After the initial death scene of one of the secondary characters the audience wants to know what will happen to the creatureand the other characters which we have been introduced to.
Secondary Antagonist (Conor): A professional assassin; known throughout the corporation as one of the best in business, his no-nonsense and meticulous attitude to his work has acquired him a reputation amongst his peers as one not to be messed with. His headstrong and sadistic personality ensures that although many find his profession inhumane, he is known to often enjoy the thrill given to him through physical combat or dangerous stunts and enjoys the psychological torture in which he can inflict upon his opponents. We have chosen to give this character this no-nonsense attitude as we believe the professionalism portrayed from this character will help emphasize the characters intentions and easily separate him from the main protagonists and allow him to stand out amongst the other characters.
