Research: Effective Opening: Borat: Micro Features

The opening to this film seemed very well lit and it was as if we were just seeing a 'normalish' man go about life normally. The immeidiate mood of the film was happy and negativity seemed miles away from what was being potrayed from Borat. The film is set in Kazakhstan and intransitive narrative is used when a map is shown and Borat commentates as to where he is. We also see a shot of Borat's home town, which is a very run down area with shacks for homes.

CLICK HERE: Borat opening to show poor town 

Research: Effective Opening: Emperors New Groove: Macro Features

At the beginning of the film we are introduced to Kusco, a talking Llama. This gives a comic edge to the film straight away. Also this is a disney film so we instantly know that it will have been made to entertain families. There is always a theme to a disney film, one to usually teach their audience a lesson. In this particular film it is that extreme wealth can sometimes come with extreme consequences.

I believe this to be an effective film opening because it keeps us guessing as to how he turned into a llama. This is the opening hook. Also the flashbacks at the start add more effect because it helps to introduce the main character and show him in a different light.

Research: Effective Opening: Emperors New Groove: Micro Features

The opening of this film had limited lighting which immiediatly gives the effect that the mood, within this part of the film, is negative. The setting is also in a forest at night time, which typically we automatically would associate bad things with this sort of setting.

At the very beginning of the film text appears to tell us where the llama is. We then see a black figure in the distance, in the shape of a llama.

A dramatic non-diegetic music is used to add extra effect, a non-diegtic voice over then appears and we hear the story of how he used to be an emperor but was turned into a llama. Gold text then appears to show the main characters name. The colour of gold shows the wealth of the llama and not neccessarilly how wealthy he is now.

Research:What Makes An Effective Opening?

There are two very important areas which should be studied in detail when looks at film openings. Micro and Macro.

Macro include genre features such as; iconogrpahy (props), setting, themes, characters (antagonist and protagonist) and narrative features. A typical starting to a horror film will show the antagonist kill and extra or a montser fodder. The protagonist is usually then introduced to try and 'restore peace' or 'get revenge' on the antagonist. In the opening sequence also needs to have a hook to keep the viewer watching. For exmple, the antagonist may not be introduced until later in the film, so the audience from the start will be interested in how the film will evolve.





The Micro features of the film is the more technical side to the film. For example, these features include; camera angles and editing.





The camera angles and editing can play a big part in ensuring that the film comes aross as a horror. The camera angles can make the footage seem more horrific. E.g. Handheld shots can make the characters seem worried and scared. This could give a sense that the character is in danger. Also fast oaced editing can make the character seem more agitated and add extra action to the film.

To see how these have been used, I have analysed 2 openings to films. I will look at the micro and macro features of these openings.

(link to picture http://screenrant.com/ouija-board-film-brad-fuller-benk-56553/)