Film Opening Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Conventions of media product

Use,develop or challenge

How does your media product use them? Evidence

Titles Use I have used titles to introduce the main actors and people who have been important behind the scenes of the film. I have made the titles subtle but clear so they are very obvious to the audience, but so they also fit in and match the shots on screen and so I have placed them in darker areas of the shot so they are visible. I also used a fade in, fade out much like most of the films I have researched like The Prestige, but also in my earlier research, looking at Twilight, it also has the titles fading on and off of the screen. Also, I have based the titles on people who were involved in making the opening like the actors, but also, after doing a lot of research, I also included the names of the people who have worked on the films that I have included in my research to make the titles believable.

Narrative device Develop I have used a mainly linear narrative as I show the two main character going about their lives and how they are linked, however I also feature strange flashes into the future, using a non-linear narrative, which I have done to create mystery and intrigue around the story. The flashes into the future is influenced by Fight Club which I have researched as the opening is a scene from later on in the film which creates mystery for the audience and makes the audience keen to known more about the story.

Introducing characters-protagonist and antagonist

Use The forms and conventions of a film opening are to introduce the protagonist and the antagonist. I have used this to introduce my two main characters, the homeless girl and the wealthy girl, who are both the protagonists, however, they are also the antagonists in the film. I initially create enigma around the characters as when they are first introduced, the audience cannot see their faces. Also the flow on from the homeless character to following the wealthy girl hints to the audience that there is a link and relationship between the two characters.

Music/sound Develop I have used music to evoke an eerie feeling into the audience by using slow, piano music, much like other films within my genre like The Prestige which has very soft music in the mix with a voice over, and so I have used this device. However, I have also developed it as I have also included a voice over, inspired by The Prestige and Fight Club which creates mystery around who is speaking and also highlights the themes of the film. In addition, I have used some other sound clips of malevolent whispers over the flash-forwards of the two girls to enhance the uneasy and tense feeling in the audience, but also to hint at the schizophrenic nature of the two girls.

Setting/location Use I use the device of introducing setting and location to show the contrast between the two characters-the park and pavement where the homeless girl is living and staying, juxtaposed with the big houses and streets where the other girl is living and wandering around.