This document analyzes the opening sequence of the film "Eighteen" through textual and film techniques. It discusses how the non-diegetic score creates suspense and emotion. Shots like long shots and medium shots are examined for how they connote isolation, desperation, and facing fear. Medium close ups show gender performance and stereotypical teenage relationships. While aimed at younger audiences, the sequence could have improved the dubbing and lighting. In conclusion, more sophisticated techniques could have challenged the audience more.

1. STUDENT WORK-“EIGHTEEN”
TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

2. • This opening sequence is relatable to the one we are intending to
do as it is a very similar genre. This film is a thriller that is probably
also close to a horror, which is the genre we are intending to do.
This means that we can use it to help us understand a bit more of
what we have to do in our production in terms of sound, lighting,
etc. This way we can see how these affect the audience. Eighteen
is produced by a conglomerate because however, our production is
going to be produced by an independent but I will be analysing
some of the shots of the sequence in order to get ideas and help us
understand a little bit more about the genre.
Eighteen- opening sequence

3. CONNOTATIONS OF SOUND
• The non diegetic sound of the score during the scenes in the woods
helps put the character in a dangerous position and it connotes a the
threat the girl is under. This score is also connoting a disequilibrium. It is
rhythmic and this rhythm creates the sound of heart beat which helps
create an atmosphere of suspense amongst the audience.
• In the scene where the two girls are in a room, the non diegetic sound is
a more lively score that connotes happiness and an equilibrium in the
narrative. However, as soon as they start talking about the shoes, the
contrapuntal sound with the same score heard in the woods is played
connoting that something negative and dangerous is about to happen
and it also unsettles the audience. As it is the same score the audience
will associate it with the beginning of the film connoting that the shoes
are important and they are linked to the attack of the protagonist.

4. LS connotes the isolation of
the character. She is in the
woods, in the middle of
nowhere. It connotes the
mystery of the place where
she is going towards. She is
running away from the
camera which implies that
the audience is the
antagonist going after her.
The camera is hand held
which connotes the
disequilibrium and makes
the audience feel
uncomfortable or even sick,
giving them visceral
pleasure.
LONG SHOT
Hand held camera can be really effective to create a sense
of thrill, which is really important in a horror film. Therefore,
we will probably be using this filming technique to have a
higher impact on our audience’s emotions and feelings.
The character is wearing a white dress which might
connote her purity and innocence, however, the bright red
shoes connote danger and blood which can therefore
subvert the meaning of the white she is wearing. The
shoes also sexualise her, this links to Clover’s theory of the
final girl as she’s being punished for being sexual.

5. MS of the character connotes
desperation to escape from whoever
is chasing her. However, the fact
that she is looking back connotes
that she is facing her fear and she's
taking control of the situation which
represents Gauntlett’s empowered
female which is subverting the
stereotype of women always being
inferior. She is facing her fear but
still running away from it. The
character is brave, and this might be
seen as a positive representation,
but she is still wearing a short dress,
with which we can sexualise her and
put her in the male gaze (Barthe’s
striptease theory). The camera is
being hand held again, creating the
same effect like in the previous
shot.
MEDIUM SHOT
The over-exposure is not letting the audience figure out
who she clearly is, this creates a sense of tension and
intrigue amongst the audience. Just when you're about
to be able to see her face, the shot cuts to the title of the
film, leaving the audience at the edge of their seats. This
connotes the violence of the attack she is facing.
This can be a great way to engage the audience with
our opening sequence: not letting them see something
completely by cutting to another shot. This will help
target our more sophisticated audience as they will try
figure it out. Gives the audience intellectual pleasure.

6. MLS connotes the
character’s femininity and
her need to be perfect. This
shots shows how much she
cares for her image. This
links to Butler’s gender
performance, as she is
putting makeup on. She is
stereotypically behaving like
a female who is also a
teenager, they
stereotypically do anything
in order to look good. This
connotes how vane they are
and links to the mass market
audience of this film.
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Because our film has also a more sophisticated
older audience, we will probably not use any of
these stereotypes. We might try subverting them
and creating more challenges for the audience.
However, as our main character in the sequence is
going to be a female, some of these may be
applicable.

7. MCU of the character and
her friend in the background
connotes that the blonde girl
is more powerful and rules
over the one sitting on the
bed. This usually happen
with teenage friendships.
This shot has a very high
key lighting compared to the
ones in the woods where the
lighting was only on the girl.
This connotes an
equilibrium, before anything
bad happened.
MEDIUM CLOSE
UP
This scene is a very simplistic one that is clearly aimed
at a young mass market audience, it provides personal
identity and belonging to the younger primary
audience. This is because it has been produced by a
conglomerate, however, our film will need to challenge
the audience a little bit more in order to target a
sophisticated secondary audience. This scene also
connotes the disconnection between the girls, their
relationship is clearly a dark one. Teenage girls usually
have ‘bitchy’ relationships and this stereotype is
portrayed in this shot.

8. • After analysing this opening sequence I think that there are many
things that could have been improved. One of them being the
sound during the dialogue. Due to the use of a non english actress,
the dialogue had to be recorded separately using another person.
The use of dubbing in this sequence is obvious and makes the
scene unrealistic, there is not a sense of spatial verisimilitude.
• The lighting in the location of boarding could have also been
improved. It looks yellow and over-exposed. This are things that are
not acceptable in a film, especially when it is produced by a
conglomerate and the budget is bigger.
CONCLUSION