2. • In the opening 5 minutes of the film we are
introduced to all of the main characters, and we
learn a little about each of them through both
what is said, and the background music.
• The genre characteristics we see, for example
the man (Jack Black) looking at his girlfriend,
and also what is said, give us an indication that
it is going to be a romantic film. However when
we hear the woman (Kate Winslet) speaking we
know that it is not going to be 100% serious,
and there will be some aspects of comedy.
Summary and Genre
Characteristics
3. • We see many different locations throughout the
opening, a music studio, a car, a bedroom and
an office party. All give things away about the
characters.
• The characters we are introduced to include,
Kate Winset, (Iris) Cameron Diaz (Amanda),
Jude Law (Graham), Jack Black (Miles) and
also Eli Wallach (Arthur). We don’t see or hear
much from each, except Iris, but we get an idea
about their characters by the way they are
portrayed through music and camera work, and
what is said in the narration.
Locations and characters
4. • The first shot we see is of two people kissing in a field, and we
initially think these are the characters we will be following throughout
the film.
• However, after the
camera zooms out, we
see that it is actually on a computer
screen in a studio.
• The editing used is
mostly invisible, however
in the transiton between
Jack Black and Cameron
Diaz, it sweeps to a black
screen, when the title comes
on, then it goes onto the
next character.
Camera Work and Editing
5. • Near the end of the sequence the camera follows
Iris, which suggests that she is an important
character and we will be following her throughout
the film.
• Also, when she is talking about the man that she
loves, but who doesn’t love her back we see him
though her eyes, and its as if we are watching
from a distance, which tells us about their
relationship.
6. Sound
• The sound that we hear in the beginning is diegetic, as it
is coming from the man playing the piano, however when
the narration by Iris starts it is non diegetic, as she is not
in the scene.
• The sound in the opening also helps us to learn about
each character, the narration relates to each character
individually, and the music changes depending on who is
being introduced, for example when the old man comes
on and we see a picture of what we presume is his dead
wife, the music is slow and softer than when we are
introduced to another character, for example Cameron
Diaz.
7. Enigma Codes
• As we only see a little of each character
initially, we automatically want to know
more about them.
• We also want to know who is narrating,
and if we will be introduced to her at some
point. The things that she says gives clues
about each characters relationship state,
and it makes us want to know more.
8. Title Fonts
• The font used is a white “Times New Roman” style font, and is the
same throughout, all of the names are written in capitals, but words
like “and” are not. The are all presented in either the left or right
hand corner, and they fade in and out. They only appear when
nothing significant is happening.
• The main title of “The Holiday” is written in a bigger font and is
displayed in the middle of the screen, which tells us that it is more
significant.
