This document provides guidance for analyzing similar products and creating an effective opening sequence for a fictional film. It recommends examining strengths and weaknesses of example research analyses and considering how to establish characters, intrigue viewers, and use narrative techniques like Todorov's and Propp's theories in an opening. The document also lists tutorial groups and contacts.

1. To be able to identify the strengths of effective product
research.
He who asks is a fool for five
minutes. He who does not ask is a
fool forever.

3. Using your criteria, examine the examples of ‘research into similar
products’. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
http://www.charlottesa2media.blo
gspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-
similar-products-1.html
http://paigemcilhattona2.blogspot.
co.uk/2012/09/researching-similar-
products-trailers.html
http://arnolda2media.blogspot.co.
uk/2012/09/updated-r.html
You need to remember that you are
researching and creating an opening to a
fiction film.
What could you do and include:
• Timeline of opening sequences – what is on
screen and when. Titles etc.
• Todorov’s narrative theory – which aspects of this
are being met in the opening to a film?
• Propp’s character theory – how does the opening
establish characters and which characters? How
do you know and how is information effectively
held back from the viewer?
• Barthes codes of narrative, especially ‘enigma
code’ – how is the desire to watch the rest of film
established in the opening scenes?
Tutorials
Rhian & Ryan
Alex & Cameron
Sara & Hannah
Grace