The document analyzes the opening scene of the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" through the lens of genre, costume, characters, location, lighting, camera shots, conventions, and sound. It determines that the film is a teen drama based on its focus on the real life issues of teenagers in high school. Costumes help establish characters like the protagonist and antagonists. Location and camera shots are used to set the scene in high school and establish the protagonist as an outsider. Conventions like social cliques and stereotypes further mark it as a teen drama genre.

1. The Perks Of Being A
Wallflower

2. GENRE
The genre of this film is teen drama. This can be seen within
few seconds of watching the opening sequence which
includes many elements to determine that it is a teen drama.
One of them is that it follows the convention of teen drama
through use of Mise-en scene such as costume that
teenager would wear, set where teenagers spends their
most of the time and casting a character that best fits the
role. Also, it is a drama because it has real life issues that
teenagers face with going to high school .These are the
demographic and psychographic of teen and it relates the
audience which hints it is a teen drama.
The film opening begins with the credits, accomplished with a
countryside music and then voice of character writing on his dairy.
Him writing in a dairy may suggest that he has no friend to talk to ,
therefore dairy is only his friends who he can share his feelings to and
to introduce him there camera focuses on him off the window
emphasizing the viewing experience of the consumer and letting the
consumers know he is the main character.

3. Costume
Hoodie- The protagonist is
wearing a blue hoodie. The
colour blue is a masculine
colour. It signifies that he is
intelligent , calm, trustworthy
and is a quiet guy. Also, He is
wearing casual clothing which
implies that he is a normal
teenager.
Red t-shirt protagonist is wearing,
connate that he has a crush because red
associate with love.
These clothes are mostly worn by teens
which hints the genre of the movie as
teen drama. This would appeal to
teenagers because it is the type of
clothes that teenager would wear.

4. Costume
• The antagonists are
wearing baseball jacket.
The baseball jacket
connate that they are
sporty and extremely
strong. It helps us to
stereotype of them being
jocks looking to cause
problem.
The teacher is wearing a suit
and a tie which connotes he is
well educated.

5. Typical Characters
• Geek
• Jock
• loner
Nerd
She is a nerd because she
is wearing braces. In
movies bares are worn by
nerds.
Loner
The long shot of the
main character siting at
the back connotes that
he is an outcast and a
loner.
Jock
Baseball jacket
signifies they
are jocks.

6. Location
The opening scene is set in two different
location and they are inside the
character's house and inside high school.
The reason behind this is because those
are the places where teenagers spend
their time the most, meaning it is
relatable. For example, if the movie was
set in the office , it would not appeal to
the teenagers because they don’t spend
their time there.

7. Lighting
3 point lighting used. location
is fairly bright so that it looks
as natural as it can and
shows everything that’s in
the background.

8. Camera
Variety of camera shot are being used.
• Over the shoulder at the beginning of
opening sequence was a creative way of
introducing the protagonist. Reflection
of himself on the window signifies that
he is reflecting on his life.
• In this shot, Long Mid shot has been
used to show the protagonist body
language. For example, the body
language in this shot is of him facing
down. This creates an effect on the
audience of him as being an outcast,
lonely and feeling unwanted by a
social group.

9. Camera
Close up shows facial expression how the
character is feeling. For example, his facial
expression signifies he is tensed , scared
and uncomfortable. Also, the focus point
is on the protagonist and it can be seen
through the use of shallow focus. The
effect of this makes the audience draw
more attention towards him.
This shot is taken from a low angle as it
shows younger students getting bullied
by the older students. This suggests that
high school is a frightening place to be in.
The low angle shot makes audience
believe that those older student are
powerful and superior than them.

10. Convention
• Cliques can be seen in the opening sequences such as different type of people in
high school. For example, jock, nerd and loners.
• High School/ house/ locker room- The location that it is set is inside High school.
As you can see from the locker room, you immediately know it is a high school and
it is set inside the house. There is where teenagers spend most time, there fore it
would appeal to them.
• Cafeteria - Where they sit defines their status. For example, he is sitting by himself
in the cafeteria this connotes he is a loner also an outcast.
• Stereotypes are represented in the opening sequences. For example nerd wears
braces and usually unattractive.
• Usually about a new boy/ girl starting high school.
• Typical costume such as hoodies, jeans and converse.
• Props such school books to create a atmosphere of high school.
• The main character is usually an outcast who has no friends.

11. Sound
Perks of being a wallflower opening scene opens with voiceover . The
audience is aware from this point onwards which character will be the main
focus of the film. Voice over helps the audience know what the character is
thinking. It is a non diegetic sound which introduces the character to the
audience and drags the narrative. Also, the voice over continues from one
scene to the next scene before the audience see the relevant images. It gives
the sense that the film is linked together.
Synchronous sound that are expected. For example sound of a bell ringing
have been used. This suggests to the audience that lessons are about to start.
Diegetic sound such as dialogue are used and these are the sounds that the
character can hear.