FILM OPENINGS

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Introduction


As an introduction to film openings, we were instructed to analyse the first two minutes of the film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". First, we identified the key features of a film opening and what we thought were the most important factors. We then watched the clip three times, and noted down our observations, making sure to look our for narrative details.


Film Openings




Narrative

Films include narrative details such as binary opposites, to make a film more interesting and engaging. These narrative features can also be found in film openings, so they are something to look out for.

- Binary opposites
- Narrative range (eg. restricted/unrestrictive narrative)
- Codes (eg. enigma codes)
- Juxtaposition (within shots, editing, actions etc.)




Analysis

I identified many different shot types and imagery within the opening sequence, revealing information that is relevant to the plot of the movie. For example, there are some shots where the characters shoes are the subject. Despite being a close up on an article of clothing, it reveals a lot about the characters. The two men's shoes have an obvious difference in quality, which suggests a large difference in status.
Similarly, Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie) is wearing tall heels that represent her wealth. On top of this, she is walking in sync with her partner, which suggests they have a good relationship. In contrast, Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt), have completely different quality of clothing, and their relationship is very clearly distant. Rick Dalton is also shown stepping out of the car first, leading Cliff through the bar and then finishing his drink first, clearly establishing the hierarchy between their characters to the audience. The use of cross cutting, however, suggests that Sharon Tate has a much more social lifestyle than Rick Dalton, despite the indications of them both being wealthy. In one sequence of shots, Sharon gets off the flight, walks through the airport, travels in her car and pulls into her driveway, in the same time that Rick walks through the bar and has his drink prepared. The cross cutting in this situation indicates that Sharon has a much faster lifestyle, therefore suggesting she has a higher status than Rick. In the first minute and a half, the identities of Rick and Cliff are concealed by silhouettes and close up shots (such as the previously mentioned shots of their shoes). This shows further shows the disparity between their lives and Sharon Tate's. As she leaves the airport she is followed by paparazzi, and she is illuminated by the flashes of their cameras. This represents her life in the spotlight, and suggests Ricks career is no longer as successful. To add to this, Sharon's life is visually brighter. While the men travel in their generic car, she travels on the top level of an airplane before riding in an open top, vintage car (commonly associated with wealth).
 
The cars can also be interpreted to further represent their lives. The cigarette-filled car Rick drives, can be deciphered to reflect his run-down career and messy lifestyle. Sharon's sports car can reflect a much cleaner and innocent lifestyle, as well as more respected. The open roof of the car also shows she is not restricted, with her wealth she has more freedom to do what she wants. A lot of enigma codes are introduced, leaving the audience wondering who the characters are and what role they will play in the coming movie. The cross cutting also leaves the question of how the characters are related.



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