The document discusses conventions that are commonly found in film openings. It notes that characters and settings are typically introduced to establish the protagonist and grab the audience's attention. Mise-en-scene elements like costumes can also introduce characters. Music is used to set the genre and mood, often building tension for thriller genres. Film openings aim to engage audiences and set the scene for the rest of the film.
2. A film opening’s conventions
There are many films and conventions that a film opening should have so the
audience are gripped to the film and continue to watch further. The
introduction of characters can be used through different shots and music, this
portrays either the antagonist or the protagonist. Furthermore, the setting
that is established can grab the audience’s attention by showing a particular
place that is relevant to the rest of the film opening. The use of mise en
scene is also used in a film opening, for example, costume can also introduce
the character. Also, the music can set the genre as well as the setting; if the
genre is a thriller for example, it often starts off slow and begins to build up in
pace which gives a dramatic effect.
3. In what ways does your media product use, develop and challenge conventions of real
media products?
Forms and
Conventions
found in a film
opening
Examples within the film Screen grab
Characters: are the
main characters
introduced. U
In a film opening the
characters are
introduced in order to
become familiar with
them and be able to
identify who they are
when they are
introduced again
The female main character is
introduced but in a mysterious way
at the beginning to intrigue the
audience on what she looks like as
it is a shot of only her shoes.
Moreover after that we see the
back of her which furthers the
mysterious portrayal
Setting: allowing the
audience to know
where it is taking place.
C/U
To set the scene for a
film opening there is
usually an
establishing shot
portraying where it is
but also other shots
can be used to show
the audience where it
is set
In my film opening I have used the
setting but I have also challenged
it in some way. For example, I have
an establishing shot of the house it
takes place in but rather than the
typical slot of putting it at the very
beginning I have used it near the
end. However the fact that the
establishing shot shows the house
in a dark and mysterious way
makes the audience feel a sense of
unease
4. Forms and
conventions found in
a film opening
Examples within the
film
Screen grab
Use of titles: is the title
sequence the typical running
order. U
In my film opening the
running order is typical of a
film opening. For example, it
goes name of studio,
production company, starring,
name of film, edited, costume
and finally the director.
Therefore I have followed the
conventions of a film opening
Music- does it fit into the
genre of the film and also set
the mood
The music in my film opening
fits in the with genre of my
film as it is quite mysterious
which goes with the crime
drama of it. Furthermore it
builds up tension for the
audience and gets them at
the edge of their seats,
especially because of the
intriguing beat that is heard
5. Who would be the audience for your media product?
Taking into account the genre of my film and the conventions involved I feel that my
film should appeal to teenagers and people older than that (of 18 years and older).
This is because of the characters in the film opening and also the plot that would
happen if the film continued, for example, the female character’s occupation is a
prostitute and the male’s is a pimp, therefore portraying that this would not be
suitable for someone who is of a young age. The genre of the film is a crime drama
which contributes to the age of the audience also, as there is violence involved if the
film had also carried on
Also as well as the age range of the film opening, I can say that the audience can also
appeal to people who enjoy watching crime drama regularly more than other genre’s
or people who are just generally interested in films that have a mysterious plot to it.
6. How does your media product represent particular
social groups?
The glass which is portraying
alcohol represents the fact that
the audience would not be of a
young age, but for an older age
range of 16 and older
The surroundings of the
character portray that he
is from a middle class
background which also
connotes his occupation
which involves a lot of
wealth
The fact that this character
is of an afro carribbean
background furthers the
social group in terms of
ethnicity, however it could
be a negative portrayal in
ways which is stereotypical
The stack of money
on the table also
portrays the male
character’s wealth
and occupation
which is also obvious
from the dialogue he
uses
7. The character here is
portrayed to be a bit
scruffy, this is represented
through the holes in her
tights.
The use of her costume
which is quite revealing
can portray her
occupation (prostitute)
in a way which can also
link to the audience of
an older age as it is
suitable for them and
not younger people
The fact that it is a dark
setting adds a mysterious
effect for the audience
and intrigues them
because anything could
happen at that time of
day especially to a
female. Furthermore the
darkness fits in with the
genre; It increases the
intensity of the
atmosphere
Through this type of long shot,
the female is represented to be
quite lost but it is also clear
that something has happened
for her to look like this,
furthermore adding to a
stereotypical view that females
are vulnerable
8. What kind of media institution might distribute your
media product and why?
Steel mill pictures: This is a British production company which was founded by Ken
and Paul in 2005 when they made their first feature film ‘London To Brighton’. I had
chosen to use this on my own film opening as it was the production company for
London to Brighton which was a film that I had researched before the planning; it also
is the film that linked in with the idea of my own. In addition, the fact that steel mill
pictures’ first film was London To Brighton also gives significance to using it.
9. How did you attract/address your audience?
Within my film opening there a few aspects which attract the audience. One of which
is the genre expectations that the audience may have.
• As it is a crime/thriller/drama genre, at the very beginning the close up panning
shot of just the shoes portrays the intensity building up, making the audience ask
questions and creating suspense which is typical of that genre
• The music is quite slow pace at the beginning which again builds suspense for the
audience but the fact that the beat becomes faster increases the intensity for the
audience; adding to the typical convention to attract a particular audience for that
genre
• The dialogue of the male character which is quite patronising because of the
loudness in the way he speaks portrays the type of character that he is and also
tells the story in order to get the audience to relate to the character; there will be
more of an effect when the drama/action happens
10. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
By using final cut express I learnt how to use the wire frame which allowed me to
move the titles around the screen so that it ended up in the correct place for the
audience to clearly see the titles. The colour of the title also had to made sure
that it did not blend in with the background, therefore I had used white to be
suitable against the dark background, instead of black which may not have been
seen well
I had also learnt how to use the opacity tool on final cut express, this permitted
me to fade my titles in and out which gave an effect as well as something to allow
it to be removed off the screen
Title safe was also a part of final cut express, this enabled the titles a the side such
as ‘starring Medina Hughes’ to not be cut off the screen and to make it visible for
the audience.
In terms of sound, final cut express allowed me to alternate the sound levels so
that when nothing was needed to hear I could easily cut any sound out and then
bring it back whenever it was in need
