This document discusses textual analysis of the opening two minutes of films. It aims to develop an understanding of common film techniques used to set tone and establish genre. It discusses Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium, disruption, and new equilibrium. Students are asked to study the openings of 2-3 films and identify which narrative stages are presented in the first 120 seconds. They should also describe the tone, appeal, purpose, pace and characters/settings established and discuss how filmmakers likely used techniques and audience expectations to craft an appealing opening.

1. Textual Analysis of Opening 2 minutes
(minus titling)
Aims
1. To develop a good understanding/ appreciation of
common film techniques used to create the opening
minutes of a feature film.
2. To gain a realistic understanding of how much of the films
storyline is conveyed in the opening 2 minutes
3. To gain a realistic understanding of how much
action/information is afforded to audiences in the opening
2 minutes

2. Select the opening of a single film to study. Based on research findings collected so
far, bullet point those generic codes and conventions that are present in the
opening 2 minutes and how they
a)combine to help set the tone of the film and establish its genre
b) put audiences into the right mood, set the context and/or try to provide a
pleasurable start to the film ?
(Extension Task If any, which generic conventions were developed or challenged
and how did it add appeal?)

3. Franco Todorov-Bulgarian philosopher coined the
term narratology meaning to look at units of
meaning in a text. Todorov felt that all stories start
in a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted,
setting in a motion a chain of events. The
resolution of the story is the creation of
new/different equilibrium.
Applying to audiences.
Why in everyday life do you think that when we
are sharing sad, happy, exciting or surprising
events with one another that we often want to
explain events in terms of beginnings, middle and
an end? Why do you think starting with a
beginning, middle and end often works for
audiences? However, can you think of any why
opening up a film with a stage other than an
equilibrium or disruption of an equilibrium stage,
might be just as appealing to an audience?
CAUTION!!!! AS Level examiners have grown to
HATE the way students simply think it is enough to
Todorov
Applying The Theory of Todorov

4. Applying The Theory of Todorov

5. Study the opening 2 minutes of 2-3 films, which stages of narrative are
audiences gifted in the first 120 seconds.
Film Title Todorov Stage(s) of
Narrative made available to
audiences in the first 120
seconds
Overall, how much action,
dialogue, ideas or characters
are afforded to audiences in the
first 120 seconds

6. You have 120 seconds to make good use all 4 film techniques to help create
a memorable opening to a feature film. Using the same films, complete the
task below
Film Title How would you describe the
film’s opening tone, appeal
pleasure, purpose, pace
and/or representation of
characters or settings?
Using your knowledge of all 4 film
techniques. At the level of
production, provide examples of how
did the film maker achieved the
latter? How do you suspect the film
maker used what they know about
audience's taste, expectations and
experience of film to add to the
appeal of the opening 2mins