WHAT COMMON ELEMENTS OF GENRE

DO THE OPENINGS SEEM TO PROVIDE?

Equilibrium to disruption is a quick and abrupt transition in
the narrative- meaning the audience establishes a
connection and gains an insight into how quickly teens lives
can change.
The coming of age theme is really convergent: we often get
to experience and relate to the struggles of teenagers e.g.
friendship problems.
The conventional costume is archetypal British everyday
wear i.e. jeans and a t-shirt. Makeup is often minimal or
less subtle to exaggerate a more flamboyant character.
Regarding setting, stock settings seem to be houses,
streets, parks and other communal areas like schools. This
anchors the convergent verisimilitude of the genre .

WHAT/WHO DO THE AUDIENCE TEND

TO GET INTRODUCED TO?

The text often begins with the protagonist, this character

narrates us through their friends: giving us an insight
into how the characters connect with each other as a
friendship group. This establishes Blumler and Katz
emotional connection because we see the characters
through the protagonist's point of view.
After this narration (usually through a voiceover) we get
to decide the personalities and characters of the friends
for ourselves due to seeing how/why all the friends are
so close.

WHAT NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

IS EVIDENT IN THE OPENING?
EQUILIBRIUM: this stage often begins with a day in the life style

with the main protagonist informing us of their typical day. This

includes who they meet/socialise with and what kind of person the
character(s) are.
DISRUPTION: this change from a peaceful mood is often really
abrupt and unexpected. This anchors the emotional connection
because we symapthise and relate to how quickly a teens life/day
can change.
RECOGNITION OF DISRUPTION: this realisation of a disruption
usually occurs from the protagonist again informing us of how this
change has affected all the characters lives , e.g. seeing a dead
body in Stand by me.

HOW IS EDITING USED TO REFLECT

GENRE/MOOD/CREATE PACE?
The convergent editing encourages
verisimiltude through a continual
edit. This anchors the realism of the
genre and again anchors the
emotional connection on a realistic
level.
The editing is also used to allow the
audience to see all the elements
through the eyes of the protagonist.
Techniques like shot reverse shot
allow us to engage with
conversations and experiences
between friends.
In more melancholy moments (often
in the disruption) more fade/dissolve
edits are used to mirror the sombre
tone and anchor our empathy with
the characters.

WHAT TITLES ARE EVIDENT IN THE

OPENING OF THE FILM?
Sometimes, dates and days were
introduced, especially in the opening of
seven. This gave the opening, context
and sometimes shows whether the
opening is set in the future, after the
disruption, or before.

As shown here in the

opening for the film
Seven and juno

HOW IS NON-DIEGETIC SOUND USED

TO CREATE MEANING?
It is used to reflect the upcoming enigma,
tell us when something isnt what they
seem, to keep the pace of the film the
same and set a positive or negative
mood. They are also used as a
soundtrack, keeping a realistic setting.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF

A FILM OPENING?

The primary function is to connect the audience with the

characters at an early stage, on a level where they feel
an important connection with them and want to watch
on to see what happens to them in the rest of the film.
The opening can also be used to entice their chosen
audience with what they wanted to get from the movie,
therefore, showing their audience elements of that
specific genre that they would most likely enjoy .

WHAT CONVERGENT ELEMENTS WILL

WE NEED TO USE?

Friendship
An intrusion/disruption, just after
the equilibrium is set
Minimal make-up
Normal costume
Everyday setting
The sound mirrors the mood of the
scene