Sherlock Holmes - Opening Scene Analysis

The opening scene starts off with a horse driven carriage racing down a street, with a fast paced non-diegetic soundtrack in the background. This immediately tells the viewer that they are watching an action film. An enigma is also straight away created, as the viewer wants to find out if the carriage is chasing something, and if they are, what?

The shot then changes to follow a character running, this implies that the is being chased by the carriage, and could also tell the viewer that he is likely to be an important character in the film.

We also see the characters inside the carriage holding weapons, this suggests that their main interest is in killing the character they are chasing. This creates the enigma of why they possibly want to kill the man.

I really like this opening two scene as lots of enigmas are created, it also makes me want to watch on as I know really want to know why they were chasing the character.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Opening Scene Analysis

At the beginning of the scene, a panning establishing shot is shown of the futuristic setting. There is also a dramatic sounding narration, being played over the top of an epic style non-diegetic soundtrack. This instantly signifies that the film is going to feature a lot of action.

Narrations are commonly used in action films as they tell the reader some basic pieces on information about the setting of the film, this is useful in action films because they often have slightly complicated plots, so the narration helps to break it down.

Also shown in the opening scene are elements of a science fiction film. For example, the location based on metal appears very futuristic - later confirmed by the flying vehicles being driven by metal robots. Including two genres in a film helps to make the film appear to a wider audience, and can also help stop the film from becoming two focused on a certain objective in the film.

I don't feel that this is a very strong opening scene, as there aren't any major enigmas created, so I don't feel encouraged to watch on.

Jurassic Park - Opening 2 Minutes Analysis

The opening titles of Jurassic Park move very slowly, and transition in time with the non-diegetic backing track. This creates a sense of suspense, as the viewer is waiting to find out what is going to happen.

The first shot shows the camera aimed at rustling leaves, in what would appear to be a jungle. This immediately creates an enigma as to what is rustling the leaves, as well as creating the enigma, tension is also built at this moment.

The shot briefly changes to a close up shot of a construction worker, looking at something with amazement, the shot then changes back to the rustling leaves. One of the next shot shows a character wearing explorer style clothes holding a weapon, this prominence of the character suggests that he is going to be a main character. The fact that he is also holding a gun suggests that the thing which they are staring it is very big and strong, it is also an indicator that the film is an action film, and suggests that this character could be a hero, as it would appear that he is about to fight something off.

The object causing the rustling is next revealed - a crate being moved around on a fork lift truck. However, the enigma has not been answered yet as we can still see the all of the construction workers are pointing guns at the crate - suggesting that it could be containing something deadly.

I feel that the opening two minutes of this film are very effective, as they entice the viewer into the film by creating one main enigma. The viewer is also not overloaded with lots of background plot information at the beginning, which will help to make the film more comprehensible for some.

Action Target Audience Profile

AGE
Young Teens to Young Adults
GENDER
Mostly Male
FILM INTERESTS
Big story lines
Lots of action
Glamorous female characters

Action Genre Conventions

Actor Interviews

SAM

What are your interests?

I really enjoy drama and playing the piano.

What is your favourite film and why?

Die Hard, because, well have you seen it?

What is your favourite genre and why?

It's probably got to be sci fi and fantasy, but that also creeps on to action.

KATY

What are your interests?

I really enjoy acting, reading and watching TV!

What is your favourite film and why?

It's probably got to be Scott Pilgrim vs The World because I love the effects and characters.

What is your favourite genre and why?
Sci-fi because you can get so many different portrayals of the future and who knows maybe one of them will be right after all! The original series of Star Trek accidentally predicted the mobile phone decades ahead of its invention!

Initial Film Ideas - Update

GENRE - THRILLER/DRAMA
Beginning

• Introduction to main characters
• Establishing shots of settings
• Background information on storyline

Middle

• Home-videos recorded by characters played
• Arguments

End

• Character death
• Titles Shown