Class Analysis of Opening to a Film- “Definitely Maybe”
Titles
00.00-00.20: Opening to film with the distributor company ‘Universal’- Logos used.
00.20- 00.30: Production Company who made the film- logo showed after the distributer’s logo in this case.
00.35- 00.38: “Universal Pictures presents”
00:46- 00:48: “In association with studio canals”
00:59- 01:01: “A working title production”
01:41-01:45: “An Adam Brooks film” – normally the producer or director of films name. Images sliding across screen and carried text away
01:47- 01:53: Title of film appears- “definitely maybe”
01:54- 1:57: Actor one “Ryan Reynolds”... Next actor appearing (Starts off with main characters name)
01:57- 02:00: Actor two “Isla Fisl”
Mise-en scene
At start of actual film we see a formal looking envelope of which gives a business feel due to the professional look of it. It gives this impression as we see the common things on an envelope such as the address and name of the individual – in this case the main character of the films name “Mr William Hayes”. You can tell that it comes from a courier company as there is a sticker on the top left of the envelope and in the centre of the envelope where the address is- there is a return address for 3 people which can tell that it may have come from a solicitor. This is being filmed in New York as stated by the address.
00:42: We first see the character and his surroundings of which is filmed in an office building/tower. The main character is dressed up formally as he has his shirt and tie on which could suggest his professionalism and he is also surrounded by sky scrapers suggesting the business district he could be in. He also has the typical things we would expect to see in an office such as the use of a laptop, stationary such as pens, post-it notes and of course the office chair. Big windows and blinds also give the office impression. He has his own office
00:52: Sets up the film as we see a divorce letter and see potentially his wife’s name – Sarah Hayes.
01:02: Another lady appears and is dressed up formally too- get a glimpse of the background.. See other workers. We get the impression he is quite high up in his job as when we see other co- workers in the background of the shot of the lady, they are working in one room where as he has his own.
01:23: Interior to Exterior. We see the main character walking out of the base of the office and get a hint of the time of day- in this case midday/afternoon. Other pedestrians walking round to give the city feel along with the sheer amount of buildings and towers
01:34: The use of props- headphones and music player. Has a slightly more casual appearance as he leaves the office.
01:45: Yellow Taxis significantly imply that this film is being filmed in New York City as they are rarely seen elsewhere. New prop used of which is a bag he has loosely hanging off of his shoulder.
01:58: Building landmarks added to give the city feel.
Sound
00:04: Universal logo showed along with their trademarked sound. Most logos or companies don’t use sound in their logo.
00:33- 00:40: Sound Bridge. Get the sound of the office bridging from logo into the first scene- background noise of office heard. – Ambient Sound. Also hear the sound of footsteps- people walking round. “Hi Will, a package for you” is said – introducing the character to us as dialogue is used before we see the envelope. Hear a Foley sound as we hear the thump of the envelope as it is put on the desk – momentous thing and suggests the importance of the object- also draws the attention of the viewer instantly.
00:42- 00:45: Pressing on top of his pen, constantly clicking it which could suggest his boredom. Throws his pen down on the table and we hear the sound of it hitting the desk.
00:51: Foley sound of him opening the envelope and grabbing hold of the paper and pulling it out the envelope.
00:53: Voice over of the main character- will tell us the back story or the set-up of the story “I don’t think anyone on their wedding day imagines they would be 46% of that doesn’t live happily ever after”. Internal narrator.
01:06: Colleague tells his he Quaker oats accounts but he’s not happy about it because on this day he got his divorce papers through to him. Not worried too much about this account, more worried about his divorce. Blunt towards the colleague of his.
01:16: Talks about how he hates his job- his job feels like a prison sentence to him. “I never thought I’d spend my days, weeks and years, in an advertising agency trying to figure how to make kids eat captain crunch instead of fruit loops. But Tuesdays and Fridays are my favourite days, I get out of work early and go pick up my daughter mia from school. It’s a great feeling that you find the right track to go with the day. I have found the absolute perfect song.”
Background noise goes and the music kicks in as the main sound.
Plays wrong music first- rap music then clicks for next track- The track used for the titles. Use of piano for the introduction, helps create a relaxed atmosphere
Camerawork
00:40- 00:45 – CU of Envelope. Medium Close up (MCU) of main character- Get an idea of location, in this case- the office.
00:45- 00:48 - Cut to title on a black screen background.
00:48- 00:54 - Another CU of envelope again. Camera tilts up to show characters face. Also in CU. Could be a reaction shot too as it shows his expression as he opens the envelope up.
00:55- 00:59 - POV shot of the letter, understand what the letter is about (divorce papers). Gives an understanding of story. Camera pushing in towards the letter
00:59- 01:01: Cut to titles again on dark screen background.
01:01- 01:02: Cuts back to master shot of MCU/MS of him in the office. Again a reaction shot.
01:02 – 01:06- MCU of women that’s speaking to main character. She’s excited about the contract they have got given to do.
01:06- 01:09 – CU of main character again. Cut back to him, can see his sarcastic smile and that he’s not too bothered about this new contract
01:09 - 01:18 – Master shot of him again sitting at his desk. Long due to the narration
01:18- 01:21 - Wide Shot (WS) of him in his office. Gives you more information about his environment.
01:21- 01:25 – Cut to our first exterior shot. Pan to left, showing the office then him walking out of it, moves to a tracking shot of him walking towards the camera- Backwards dolly or reverse tracking.
01:26- 01:30 – Cut to OTSS, BCU of character putting headphones in. Arcs from one ear to other ear, showing his surroundings as it happens.
01:30- 01:33- Reverse angle shot from back of him to front of him. CU of character. Filmed at a slightly lower angle. Hand held camera, moving backwards as he walks.
01:33- 01:34 – CU of his arm/hands with music player in his hands- the significant object.
01:34- 01:35 - Shot reverse- Shot and a reaction shot to music beginning
01:35- 01:36 - Reverse shot to music player
01:36- 01:37 - Reverse shot to character
01:37- 01:38 - Reverse shot to music player (slow- mo. used)
01:38- 01:47 - Split screen of different shots to show credits and titles to film. OTSS of him in one frame. See a taxi cab- multiple split screen shot. MCU of him crossing the road, tracking shot.
01:47- 01:56 - Split screen pushes clips out of way. CU of his head, low angle shot used. BCU of him in the city, crowd behind
01:56- 02:00 - Tracking shot of him walking across road. Foot shot of him walking and shot of footpath sign
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written & Uploaded by Owen Bates
No comments:
Post a Comment