Genre Research and Intertextual Links.

In order to plan and make a film opening, I had to watch various other films of the same genre that I was planning to work with - Romance. This would allow me to see how other film-makers choose to create the opening in a way that successfully captures the audience. It also meant that I could find common codes and conventions of romance films. I watched romance films which were targeted at a variety of age groups so that I could make a comparison of what each involved, and make a judgement of what my own film should be like to appeal to my chosen target audience.

Notting Hill
-While credits are showing there is a voiceover used - sounds like a commentary and makes it clear to the audience that someone famous is being spoken of.
-From voiceover to music which is a love song to automatically signify to the audience that the film is a romance.
-Images/clips of protagonist - high key lighting/flashes are used to create a sense of glamour. I also gives a paparazzi effect to show she is high class.
-Narrative Enigma - who is she?
-Changing looks/hair etc to suggest long period of time covered.
-Many photographers shown - exposition of themes.
-From main female (Julia Roberts) to who is likely to be the main male (Hugh Grant) as he is the next character seen.
-Clips which are paused and made into still frames, used as front cover pictures on magazines. Exposition of character's lifestyle.
-When Hugh Grant comes into the frame, the music becomes slow tempo and the singing stops to allow focus on Hugh Grant's voiceover - internal monologue/character narrative - talking about Julia Roberts' character.
-BINARY OPPOSITION - shots which emphasise the lifestyle of Grant's character - market stalls, little glamour. Contrasting lifestyle to female protagonist - he is working class.
-Grant talking about his community in voiceover - exposition of location.
-Finally talks about himself which is an introduction of himself to the audience.
-Break in narrative where Grant actually speaks 'Mike' as dialogue - this brings to audience to the present which sets the time frame.
-Costume - 3rd character introduced wearing a funny shirt to suggest he is a funny character and shows the audience immediately what his character is like.
-Costume - Grant in very stereotypically 'normal' clothes which gives little exposition of his personality.
-EVENT -> blurring of character through door to create tension (narrative enigma) and intrigue audience.
-Grant's face is in focus but audience's eye is still drawn to the blurred character who triggers mystery, and is also on the left of the screen.
-Quiet music to create a curious, calm mood.
-Grant works in a travel bookshop, with little success/achievement. This is juxtaposed with Roberts' job (famous actress).
-Props - drinking from polystyrene cups to suggest they are working class.

Matchmaker
-Initial shot (high angle) of location - USA + anchorage by use of text - 'Boston, Massachusetts.'
-Busy city scene + dull weather. Creates a stressful/miserable atmosphere - countertype of romance films.
-Into busy office scene, phone ringing (synchronous sound), papers everywhere. USA flag very obviously in the background to give exposition of location.
-Sound of newsreader in background suggests low morale/not a nice place to live/unhappiness.
-Main character - female, brown haired, clothing style suggests she is a respectable woman - black (dull) clothes.
-Woman clearly stressed - use of close ups of her face to expose her emotion - no time for break, phone calls etc. Causes audience sympathy.
-Change of location with clear signifiers - green colours at airport, 'aer lingus' plane - Ireland.
-Introduction of stereotypical irish character - bold irish accent.
-Male character helps protagonist - don't see his face straight away to add mystery, suggests possible romance?
-Irish people driving bus - singing to show jolly stereotype. They are singing the song 'Danny Boy' which is a well-known Irish-American song.
-Bus of people singing - american woman looks uncomfortable to show she is not in her natural environment. Close ups of her expression cause the audience to feel the way the woman is feeling.
-Miserable woman - irish man trying to cheer her up suggests potential for romance in Ireland.
-Small bus in countryside setting.
-Irish mannerisms which protagonist isn't used to. Clear facial expressions of discomfort.