Research- Analyzing Film Openings

 To kick it off, I began my research by skimming and watching through videos and trailers on Youtube to just try to understand what the genre of a romantic drama looks like in action. I watched openings of  recent and popular romances like "Five Feet Apart", "My Oxford Year" and "One Day", so I have a better idea of what my film opening should look like in reference to successful ones in films. Through this, I had fun finding similarities between openings, as I noticed some patterns across all three.

Five Feet Apart 

Cinematography- In the first about 1:30 minutes of the opening, the first scene, camera movements were very random and a little as the opening depicted personal videos of families, and made to capture the real essence of human life and connection. Along with the random camera movement, the camera was zoomed in and out very fast to capture emotions and the liveliness of each clip, supporting the monologue of the opening. In the second scene, movements turn static and are paired with close up shots as details are shown of a room and give indirect insight about the character through her surroundings. After this, the camera whip pans to the main character and captures a convo she is having with friends, still using some random movement but now pans subtly and slowing following along with dialogue along with some over the shoulder shots. It takes the audience into the scene as if they are there.

Mise-en-scene- In the first scenes the setting took place in multiple different spots that you'd see almost on a daily basis as the first clip was a baby in the hospital, then a stage with people on it, a street with a kid riding his bike, a women excepting flowers through a hospital looking room and a room full of couches and a lamp in the last clip. In these scenes people are seen to be wearing ordinary casual clothes are simple that are worn everyday. As for lighting, the lighting was soft and warm tinted and medium-high key using natural and ambient lighting. Deep, yet a soft color palette was used like oranges, blues, and pinks.

In the second scene, the setting takes place in a hospital room that is highly decorated, covered in posters, photographs, frames, cards and decorations and stuff like notebooks and pens. Here the girls are also wearing ordinary clothes like shorts and jeans. Here the lighting is a little more cool toned to represent the sterilness of the hospital but it contrasted with warm tones to show the joy that is felt by their conversation. The lighting stays                                                                                     high key here, but is overall a bit dim.

Editing and Sound- In the before the first scenes of the personal videos, a black screen was seen for a brief moment that started off a non diegetic monologue about human touch and a background uplifting music, and at the end she mentions "him". In the clips between that diegetic sound was heard from eash video played. After this, it cut to clips clip lasted for about four to five seconds each time before it cut leaving a memorable pace and ended with a black screen with the title, "Five Feet Apart". As for the second scene, when it transitions to the hospital room and cuts to photographs and details of the room each static shot is shown for two seconds before panning. After this, the scene of stella and her friends include longer takes and cuts, it make the scene feel more real and personal.

My Oxford Year

Cinematography-  In the very beginning static close up and medium shots are used to show case items and achievements, and give some insight about the main character, Anna. Some shots are followed with a slow pan to follow any sort of movement of characters as well. Mid shots introduced the main character and other important individuals. Wide shots were also used to show the atmosphere and setting of the room. a Two shots and three were also used to show other characters and dynamics. Then in the second scene of the film opening, it was cut to a establishing shot of the city of England. Then a close up shot is used to show Anna again. Then long static shot is used to show the setting as she walk around the Oxford campus. Lastly low angles, and high angles were used to show a challenge such as the stairs she had to overcome.

Mise-En-Scene- The setting in the first scene takes place in Anna's home. The lighting here is very soft, warm and natural as the color palette has gold, orange and red tones captivating happiness, and comfort as it is her home. Books, picture frames, awards, furniture, house plants, a tv and various lamps are seen throughout the house, giving a homey, welcoming and proud look. The characters in this scene are all wearing ordinary clothes.

Cutting to England the setting takes place at Oxford University, the lighting is more low contrast but still remains natural as the main character is outside in cloudy weather and makes her way into her dorm. The lighting is still fairly warm and soft. In this scene the main character including other character are wearing ordinary coats, long sleeves and sweaters indicating how the weather may be a little chilly or rainy.

Editing and Sound- In the first scene a uplifting, inspirational, instrumental music is played being anon diegetic sound. Along with this diegetic sound was heard as the mom had dialogue and the main character was packing her things. When it cuts to England, ''Make it Happen" by Laura Welsh starts playing and busy diegetic sounds of the city are heard at the same time depicting the busy city life as well as the excitement Anna carries about starting a new chapter of her life. The cuts here are more short as they follow Anna to her dorm taking viewers along with her through the University.

One Day

Cinematography- The show opening starts with a establishing shot of the city and while slowing pushing in, showing the buildings and livelihood. After that it cuts to clips close up shots of people dancing including both main characters back to back then cuts to a wide shot of people partying showing the atmosphere while pushing in downwards from a high angle. Clips of people dancing are shown through very close up shots and mid shots while panning side to side slowly and up and down. When both character bump into each other a close up is on both of them while both centered in their own shot. Then goes back to a group shot of each of them with people they know.

Mise- En-Scene- The setting takes place in Edinburgh in 1988 at night near an area that looks like a University where a party is going on. The lighting is more low-key and harder here and has artificial lighting like reds, yellow and blue as there are party lights, but is overall warm. The lighting is more uneven yet directional as some faces are lit, mostly the main characters, and other blend in. In the opening people are seen wearing suits and dresses, dresses and accessories seem a bit more dated as it takes place in 1988.

Editing and Sound- The establishing shot starts with magical, instrumental sound with diegetic sounds like a loud breeze. Over this sound the main character gives a monologue on days and how their important. Towards the end, 80's electronic dance music starts to play like "Your Love" by Jamie Principal. Cuts are fast and are shorter takes but, some scenes are put in slow motion to capture the essence and atmosphere of the party. And people's carefreeness and livelihood. When the two characters meet the cuts are back to back showing the tension between both of them.

Reflection

After analyzing these openings it was really interesting to see how they had so many similarities. All three openings started with captivating music and included monologue. All openings also seemed to give a positive mood, as color palettes were bright, and warm. In the same way, as romantic dramas capture the reality of people, their life and romance, clothes and props were ordinary. In most of the openings, insight about key characters were also given to give audiences an idea of who they are. All openings made the viewer feel calm, have empathy, and slowly get introduced to characters and settings. From watching these openings I have a better idea of how I may want to go about mine and what feeling I want to give.