Hi again!
My teacher assigned my class the task of discussing the opening scenes of movies of our choice, specifically movies with the genres of our own future opening scene. I've never really paid attention to the opening scenes in movies, so this experience was definitely new. My group opening scene's genre is a mixture of romance/drama/indie, so I selected movies with these genres.
The movies that I chose were: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Lady Bird, and Five Feet Apart.
Movie 1: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Genre: Romance/Drama
The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Dir. Stephen Chbosky. Summit Entertainment. 2011. Film
First, I must admit that I have seen this movie before. However, there are many things in the opening scene that I have never really digested until now. When the movie started in its first few seconds, I noticed the "Summit Entertainment animation" logo animation. This is probably the first time I've actively remembered a film's distributor. Also, I noticed how the sound of typing began before any images appeared on the screen. The scene then continues to mention other companies like "a Mudd production", and then the shots of the movie finally appear.
To my surprise, there are no actual actors present in the title sequence. There is just one long continuous shot of the camera moving through an underground tunnel, as if it were a car, and this is where the credit words appear on the screen. The order goes as follows: actors > casting by > music by > music supervisor > costume designer > editor > production designer > director of photography > executive producers > producers > screenplay by/based on his book > directed by . All of this happens while the camera is pointed at the road behind while the car is moving down the tunnel.
Eventually, the next scene opens with a boy, Charlie, writing in what appears to be a letter. A non-diegetic voice over sound is used for pretty much the entire opening scene, starting with "Dear friend", and continuing with Charlie's hospitalization situation and how he is perceived by others because of it. These all provide various pieces of knowledge for the audience to pick up on. While this is happening, the camera cuts to several different areas in Charlie's school, and it makes it known that he is not a popular boy by any means. Whether it be in class, the cafeteria, or the hallway, the boy is seen alone and rejected by anyone he tries to attempt to be near. Dialogue is used to reinforce this idea, as seen by the fact that even his own sister won't allow him to sit with her in the cafeteria.
Side characters are also introduced in the opening scene, as a boy named Callahan is seen mocking a teacher before the class starts. The camera shows Charlie smiling at his jokes, and it hints a future friendship that will happen in the near future.
To my surprise, there are no actual actors present in the title sequence. There is just one long continuous shot of the camera moving through an underground tunnel, as if it were a car, and this is where the credit words appear on the screen. The order goes as follows: actors > casting by > music by > music supervisor > costume designer > editor > production designer > director of photography > executive producers > producers > screenplay by/based on his book > directed by . All of this happens while the camera is pointed at the road behind while the car is moving down the tunnel.
Eventually, the next scene opens with a boy, Charlie, writing in what appears to be a letter. A non-diegetic voice over sound is used for pretty much the entire opening scene, starting with "Dear friend", and continuing with Charlie's hospitalization situation and how he is perceived by others because of it. These all provide various pieces of knowledge for the audience to pick up on. While this is happening, the camera cuts to several different areas in Charlie's school, and it makes it known that he is not a popular boy by any means. Whether it be in class, the cafeteria, or the hallway, the boy is seen alone and rejected by anyone he tries to attempt to be near. Dialogue is used to reinforce this idea, as seen by the fact that even his own sister won't allow him to sit with her in the cafeteria.
Side characters are also introduced in the opening scene, as a boy named Callahan is seen mocking a teacher before the class starts. The camera shows Charlie smiling at his jokes, and it hints a future friendship that will happen in the near future.
Movie 2: Lady Bird
Genre: Drama/Indie
Lady Bird. Dir. Greta Gerwig. A24. 2017. Film
This film starts with a logo animation of A24, the film distributor. Then, it is followed by a dark screen with a written quote. After this, it is cut to a shot of a mother and her daughter in bed, and the sound of birds chirping is present. After this, this is cut to a new shot of the same two sitting and talking.
Following this, there is a car shot and music playing alongside an audiobook, but then the mother shuts the music off. The audiobook continues, and the film alternates between single medium close ups of the mother and daughter as they talk to each other about college locations. With dialogue, the time setting, 2002, is established as Lady Bird mentions it in conversation. The family financial situation is also introduced when the mother mentions how she can "barely afford" in-state college. With the mention of college, it can be inferred that Lady Bird is the age of a senior in high school. And finally, Lady Bird's real name, Christine, is revealed as her mother calls her that name verbally.
The mother and daughter's conversation escalates into an argument with them talking over each other, and it results in Lady Bird hopping out of the moving car. Instantly, the film cuts to an insert shot of Lady Bird's pink cast with non-diegetic happy music in the background, and this cast and music carries through the rest of the opening scene.
It is then revealed that Lady Bird goes to a Catholic school as the camera cuts to a shot displaying this church-like academic setting with crosses on the wall. The words "Lady Bird" appears in a white font over the display of the school's sitting area. Following this, the different credits are shown in the title sequence while the camera showcases the many different shots around the school with music playing in the background. These shots show different religious practices, classrooms, and rooms within the school, as well as briefly introduce other important characters like Kyle during communion. This allows the audience to get familiar with Lady Bird's current life. The order of credits goes as follows: Actors > casting by > music supervisors > music by > costume designer > edited by > production designer > director of photography > co-producers > executive producer > produced by > written and directed by.
Following this, there is a car shot and music playing alongside an audiobook, but then the mother shuts the music off. The audiobook continues, and the film alternates between single medium close ups of the mother and daughter as they talk to each other about college locations. With dialogue, the time setting, 2002, is established as Lady Bird mentions it in conversation. The family financial situation is also introduced when the mother mentions how she can "barely afford" in-state college. With the mention of college, it can be inferred that Lady Bird is the age of a senior in high school. And finally, Lady Bird's real name, Christine, is revealed as her mother calls her that name verbally.
The mother and daughter's conversation escalates into an argument with them talking over each other, and it results in Lady Bird hopping out of the moving car. Instantly, the film cuts to an insert shot of Lady Bird's pink cast with non-diegetic happy music in the background, and this cast and music carries through the rest of the opening scene.
It is then revealed that Lady Bird goes to a Catholic school as the camera cuts to a shot displaying this church-like academic setting with crosses on the wall. The words "Lady Bird" appears in a white font over the display of the school's sitting area. Following this, the different credits are shown in the title sequence while the camera showcases the many different shots around the school with music playing in the background. These shots show different religious practices, classrooms, and rooms within the school, as well as briefly introduce other important characters like Kyle during communion. This allows the audience to get familiar with Lady Bird's current life. The order of credits goes as follows: Actors > casting by > music supervisors > music by > costume designer > edited by > production designer > director of photography > co-producers > executive producer > produced by > written and directed by.
I noticed how this order is very similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, so that was interesting.
Movie 3: Five Feet Apart
Genre: Drama/Romance
Five Feet Apart. Dir. Justin Baldoni. CBS Films. 2019. Film
This film starts with a Lionsgate logo animation, and then is followed by a CBS films logo animation. This film opens in a unique way, displaying many handheld shots of different families and friends laughing and having a good time. The shots are shaky and zoom in frequently, simulating the feeling of watching a home video. A non-diegetic voice over occurs during this montage, as a girl talks about touch and the importance of it. What catches the audience's attention are the few shots where people wear oxygen tubes, as this sparks the audience's curiosity due to its abnormality. There is also calming non-diegetic music playing in the background.
Then, the title "Five Feet Apart" is displayed on a black screen. After this, there is a shift to a more happy upbeat music while several shots of a room are displayed for the audience to see. There are shots of photos, a desk, and various items that help reveal the character's personality, even without words. Then, three girls are shown, with one holding a piece of clothing and commenting on it. The largest shot is a medium-full shot, so not much of the surroundings are visible at any given time. They continue talking about clothes and social things. It seems rather normal for teenage girls.
However, the conversation takes a turn when one of the girls says "I wish I could see that in person", and the smiles of the other two girls disappear. This results in the audience feeling even more curious as to what is going on with that girl. Then, the two girls eventually say goodbye to the third, and the third girl is left alone in her room. Her face appears rather sad through a close up shot of her face. Something shocking happens after: the film shifts to a wide shot, and the purpose of the room is revealed. Although the audience may have assumed that this room is the girl's bedroom, it is actually a well-decorated hospital room. This implies that this girl has to visit the hospital almost always, or perhaps she never leaves. The girl then puts on an oxygen tube, allowing the audience to connect this scene with the montage in the beginning.
While the audience is left forming many questions at a rapid pace, the film moves to a handheld shot of the girl recording herself, similar to the style of a video-diary. This makes the setting feel very personal. She talks to the camera for a while, and proves to have a good relationship with the nurses since she greets the nurse that enters by her name.
Although there are no credits given in the beginning of this film like the movies I discussed prior, they are given at the end. I briefly checked to see what order the names are in, and it does follow the general order of the two movies previously.
Then, the title "Five Feet Apart" is displayed on a black screen. After this, there is a shift to a more happy upbeat music while several shots of a room are displayed for the audience to see. There are shots of photos, a desk, and various items that help reveal the character's personality, even without words. Then, three girls are shown, with one holding a piece of clothing and commenting on it. The largest shot is a medium-full shot, so not much of the surroundings are visible at any given time. They continue talking about clothes and social things. It seems rather normal for teenage girls.
However, the conversation takes a turn when one of the girls says "I wish I could see that in person", and the smiles of the other two girls disappear. This results in the audience feeling even more curious as to what is going on with that girl. Then, the two girls eventually say goodbye to the third, and the third girl is left alone in her room. Her face appears rather sad through a close up shot of her face. Something shocking happens after: the film shifts to a wide shot, and the purpose of the room is revealed. Although the audience may have assumed that this room is the girl's bedroom, it is actually a well-decorated hospital room. This implies that this girl has to visit the hospital almost always, or perhaps she never leaves. The girl then puts on an oxygen tube, allowing the audience to connect this scene with the montage in the beginning.
While the audience is left forming many questions at a rapid pace, the film moves to a handheld shot of the girl recording herself, similar to the style of a video-diary. This makes the setting feel very personal. She talks to the camera for a while, and proves to have a good relationship with the nurses since she greets the nurse that enters by her name.
Although there are no credits given in the beginning of this film like the movies I discussed prior, they are given at the end. I briefly checked to see what order the names are in, and it does follow the general order of the two movies previously.
That's all for today. I hope you enjoyed this brief introduction to these films.
Mediamel out ✌ !
Mediamel out ✌ !
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