2. THE NOTEBOOK
Visual codes – The colours found within the opening scene are red/orange, yellow
and black. The red/orange can be a connotation for love due to the fact that the film
is a romance and so love is the main key to this film. The sun is a representation of
life itself because without the sun, nothing will be able to grow. This could be saying
that without life or love, the world would not be able to function properly. The titles
appear on the bottom half of the screen. They fade onto and off the screen. This
helps to give the overall appearance, a calmer mood.
Audio codes – The audio heard within this opening is non-diegetic and
asynchronous. The audio consists of a calm and slow piece of music. This has been
done to emphasise the overall feel of the opening. It makes the audience connect
more with the screenplay because it brings them into the film itself.
Narrative codes – There is no narrative codes found within the opening scene of
‘The Notebook’.
Action codes – There are action codes within this opening scene. These consist of
shots of the man as he is rowing on the water. These shots occur one after another
which allows for the audience to understand that he is rowing somewhere and
therefore helps the audience to see that he is travelling towards the woman who
appears at the end of the opening.
3. DEAR JOHN
Visual codes – The colours used vary within this opening. The background in the beginning of the
opening is black. This is the part when the credits appear on screen. This has been done to make
sure that the credits are the main subject/focus within this part. The darker colours are found within
the army scene. These colours include a variety of dark shades of greens and browns. This has been
done to help symbolise the fact that he is fighting in the army. This symbolisation allows for the
audience to understand what’s going on within this scene. The lighter colours come within the surfing
scene where the colours include blues and whites. This colour differentiation could allow for the
audience to see that the two scenes occur at different times within the protagonist’s life.
Audio codes – There is audio within ‘Dear John’. This audio is a soft, piano piece that is non-diegetic
and asynchronous. This audio connotes the fact that a disaster has occurred and that the audio
doesn’t reveal much but helps the audience to discover that the main protagonist has been injured. It
makes the audience feel empathy towards him because they may not know what it’s like to have
someone injured in the war.
Narrative codes – A narration is used within the opening. The narration consists of the main
protagonist which is a contradiction to most romance films. They commonly have a female narrator
rather than a male. The words he says before the scene fades to black is ‘There’s something I want to
tell you’. This connotes that he is going to tell the audience something that is important to him and that
he feels he needs to get off his chest. When he is saying this, the screen fades to black. This
emphasises the main focus of this part of the scene. The black background allows for the audience to
focus more on the narration that the screenplay.
Action codes – An action code can be heard within this opening. When the narrator says ‘There’s
something I want to tell you’, this indicates that he will be telling the audience something important to
him. This is an action shot due to the fact that a follow of what he wants to say will be heard. This is
effective because it pulls the audience in, making them want to know what he wants to say so they
therefore continue to watch.
4. THE HOLIDAY
Visual codes – The first colours that appear within the opening of ‘The Holiday’ are light and calm. This has
been done to indicate a sense of happiness because of the kissing scene that is in the first part. The colours
used within the opening are natural due to the lighting to make the screenplay appear as real as possible.
The only time that the colour changes, is when the two protagonists are in the car. The colours are darker
due to the change in the time of the day. Due to the fact that it is night time, the colours have become darker.
The also makes the scene look more serious which is what is intended.
Audio codes – There is audio that is heard within the opening scene of ‘The Holiday’. This audio happens
are the beginning of the opening. It is a piece that is played on a piano. This audio is non-diegetic and
asynchronous. The music can be seen being played by one of the main protagonist. It then continues onto
the rest of the opening. This music has been used because it’s upbeat and gives a sense of happiness. This
therefore gives the feel of the opening. The audio slows down slightly when the section is of the old man to
show slight sorrow.
Narrative codes – There is a narration that can be heard within this opening. It begins to play when the main
protagonist starts to look up to the person he is presumed to like. The narration continues throughout the rest
of the opening, talking about different characters within the film itself. This gives the audience a sense of
each character and allows for them to understand who they are as a person. This is effective because it
divides the opening up into sections which get further explained within the film itself.
Action codes – An action code can be seen within the opening of ‘The Holiday’. This is during the first
scene. The protagonist is seen to be looking up towards someone. The next shot is a shot of the woman who
he is looking at. The shot then goes back to him. This action code has been used to help show his facial
expression as he looks towards her. This gives the audience a sense of understanding as to what he thinks
of her. By doing this, it highlights the woman as being the one he likes.
