To help me gain a better understanding of what the exam board requires and what an effective opening is, I watched three openings from the previous year and evaluated their strengths and weaknesses. By identifying these elements, I hope to use and learn from them in order to create the best opening possible.
Film 1
The use of non-diegetic sound in this opening is effective and atmospheric to match the genre. A wide variety of camera angles has been used to keep the opening interesting and the transitions and font is appropriate for the genre. However, this opening gives away a lot of the plot details and creates a closed narrative when it should be open. The fade to blacks also make the opening a more trailer style. In order to improve, details should be removed in the plot in order to make the audience ask questions and to ensure that it's of an open narrative.
Film 2
The montage in this opening is effective and, along with the appropriate use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound, an eerie and suspensive atmosphere is created. The titles are also suitable for this genre though they are long when showing the photographs of the people. The montage and editing style also reflects of that of a trailer, leaving it with a closed narrative when is should be open. To improve this opening, the opening credits before the title of the film could be shorter to engage the audience more and the editing style and details revealed should be changed in order to create a closed narrative.
Film 3
This opening, unlike the previous two, has an open narrative and so it's clearly an opening to a film though the genre is not clear which keeps the audience asking questions. Assuming that it's a horror or thriller, the diegetic and non-diegetic sound used is appropriate and creates the appropriate atmosphere for the genre. However, the institution logo image, colours and font of 'One Bad Apple Productions' does not suit the genre and the titles of the cast and crew are quick and do not match the pace of the opening. There are also continuity errors with the windscreen wipers of the car and the actress is smiling in the car when she shouldn't be. In order to improve this opening, the font colours and the speed of the titles and logo should be changed to match the genre and there should be more attention to continuity during editing and filming. More direction from the film producers may also have prevented the girl from smiling in the car.
From watching previous openings and evaluating them, I have learned that when it comes to producing my own opening with my group that we need to ensure that we do not give away too many details in order to keep the narrative open and not in a trailer style. This would also ensure the audience are engaged without revealing much about the plot. We also need to make sure that our font and colours used for the titles are suitable and that they're in time with the pace of the non-diegetic music but not too fast/slow a tempo for our chosen genre. Continuity must also be correct in order for the opening to look professional and we need to be able to direct our actors in order to create the most professional opening.
