50 First Dates

I HAVE ANALYSED THE FIRST 3 MINUTES 

As soon as the clip starts a big institution "Columbia Pictures" appears, showing the audience this has been a huge production to make and know that "Columbia Pictures" are successful with their films they distribute. The music that starts is Hawaiian and has holiday feel to it making it a relaxing and calm atmosphere to start with, the images of the sun setting on the beach makes the setting of the film look like paradise, it is a very romantic feel to it showing the romantic side of the film. It matches the music with the splashing of the waves as it is set on an island and the Hawaiian music adds to the setting and atmosphere of the beginning

The title of the film "50 first dates". The "50" is in red this can connote love and romance, while the word "first" matches the other opening credits of the film of an edit of waves and the colour blue, this can connote calmness, but as the writing is wavy suggests that these dates are going to more difficult then they seem and possible problem are going to occur when on them. The word "dates" is in white connoting innocence of the main characters. The conversation between the two female characters continues over the starting music, but when one of the women says "I met this guy" the non-digetic music becomes more louder and fun, this can suggest that the person that they are talking to makes them feel this way when they see them or mention their name. The clip cuts between numerous women talking about the character Harry Roth, this shows the audience about the unknown characters personality and how he treats women, by being with a number of women while they are on holiday and treating them so well. It then brings the element of comedy when they discuss why they can never speak to him again, they bring up a number of funny excuses that he has told them eg. "he doesn't believe in phones" 
After the number of clips stop, the music stops and has a women saying "Henry Roth" we are then introduced to the main character, at this point he is giving this particular women another excuse why they can never see each other again. He is wearing a floral, busy and bright red shirt suggesting to the audience he is a loud and bubbly person, also keeps with the theme of a Hawaiian setting. Again the comedy comes through when he jumps on the jet ski and hurts himself as it is ridiculous with what he has just done to get away from this person. 
When going off on the jet ski the Hawaiian music begins again, it is cheery and fun, showing what this film is going to be like. 




I think by adding a theme song that immediately shows the audience the setting of the film is effective as then they know instantly where the film is going to be set even when they haven't been told, it shows the season, weather and country that they are in which also shows something about the characters and what maybe where they live or going to be during the film. 

Representation

The target audience for Romantic Comedies are typically aimed at the female audience normally the age of teenagers and beyond. This is because the main character is normally a women and has typical situations that the target audience can relate to- these common situations in the films include: breakups, falling in love and showing the awkward and funny things that happen when going through these situations bringing the element of comedy through into the film. Women in romantic comedies are typically represented as always falling in love and desperate to finding the right man in their lives. The women shown in the films are realistic and show how everyday women go through their lives looking for love. I think by having a realistic character that the target audience can relate to will make the audience like the character instantly as they are in surroundings that are "normal" and will want to know how this storyline continues with this character.  

Men in romanctic comedies are represented in two different ways, one as the heartbreakers and two as the ones that always at the beginning of film are the "friend" of the main character but then by the end of film the two characters fall in love. Men are represented by the views of women gobally as always not caring about the relationship and only wanting fun which is a typical view of every women. The films try to relate to realistic situations and have some of the mens views of their opinions in relationships which appeal to the male audiences however romantic comedies are typically aimed at males. The male characters in films are always handsome and attractive which appeals to the primary target audiences as they will want to be with that certain character, that they are instantly attracted to.

The Holiday Opening

Analysing till 4.05

The film is instituted and distributed by two of the top romantic comedies production companies in film, 'Columbia Pictures' and 'Universal' this shows the audience that this is film is supposable going to be successful. The music opening the film is very theatrical and calm, portraying a romantic setting and film  to the audience, but also has a Christmas theme to the song as the film is set during Christmas time as it is a typical time of romance and couples being together. 
We are immediately introduced to the main characters of the film Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, showing them in their different relationships. There is a voice over of Kate Winslet taking about love and romance and the different types of love there is, which are shown through the different main characters showing the audience a small story of the main characters straight into the film, and how love comes into their characters. This instant story told to the audience makes them connect with the particular circumstances they are in and for the audience to relate to them if they have experienced or experiencing it. 
(0.43) The mis en scene is very romantic and the theme music fits into this setting, The colouring and lighting of the shots is very soft and light bringing the romantic feel to the scene. The camera zooms in and using extreme close up's on these characters faces to show the feelings they have towards each other, fitting the theme of love. When the shot moves on the audience see's this shot is in a film within the film, this can suggest that this type of love only exists in films and fairy tales and not realistic. 
When being introduced the characters they are in brighter lighting then the other characters they are with in their shots, this shows that these are the main characters of the films. Also this can suggest innocence and pureness as they are going to be falling in love throughout the film which they are new too. 
(2.07) Zooming out of the car, there is the Christmas theme of the film, with the lights around the tree's and buildings in the street. It gives the setting a romantic and warm feeling to the scene as the knowing of the nearing of Christmas. 
The credits of the producers and actors names on the opening scene is effective, as the timing of the fading in and out of the writing keeps in time with the music, creating a slow and gentle flow to the scenes when going through keeping with a romantic and soft feeling. The writing is also in white connoting innocence. 
By having the voice over of Kate Winslet throughout the whole of the opening scene makes the audience immediatley feel involved, and the character is talking directly to the audience making them feel what she is feeling and making them relate and like the character. 

Definitely Maybe Opening

Only analysing this clip until 4.32.

Definitely Maybe opening title instantly has the big institution brand come straight onto the scene, the theme music and iconic image of Universal Studios, shows the audience that this film has had a lot of money and expense go into it, and will appeal to the mass audience. After the main institution a smaller unknown company appears on the scene, by having two productions into the film makes the  film seem successful. Over the shot of the smaller company there are background noises of people talking in a work office place, even before the audience can't see where the characters are they know where the opening shot is going to begin.
Into the opening scene (0.39) we are introduced to the main character "Will" he is in an office building and is in a suit showing he is a middle class man, however the actions he does with throwing his pen on his desk shows his life isn't as simple as it seems, this is also shown by the beginning clip of the close up of an envelope, there is a loud and sad tone to the non-digetic music as the envelope hits the desk, this suggests this is what's troubling him. 
(0.48) When the character is opening the envelope a voice over of his voice is telling the audience what his situation is, we find out more about the character- he is getting divorced and how he is feeling. I think this is a good effective way of beginning a trailer as it gives the audience the characters perspective of what is happening in the scene directly to them, and getting them involved with scene and getting the audience to relate to the character. He is very saracastic which brings the element of comedy straight into the film. 
Again the comedy comes through (1.30) when he is beginning to set off from work to pick up his daughter. When the character says "it's a great feeling when you find the right track for the day"- (speaking is still in voice over) the audience is expecting the usual happy and jolly song but suddenly 'Bitch Face' by  Imran Hanif comes on which is quite funny, this is shown when the scene pauses to the surprise this song has came on- also by Will's face he didn't mean this song for his day song. 
When starting the song again 'Everyday People' by Sly Stone, this type of music is typically used in a romantic comedy as it is fun, youthful and happy fitting the genre of the film. 
The Camera Movement is tracking, following Will travelling through the city, we see through the mise en scene he lives in New York, with the stereotype of yellow taxis and seeing the Empire State Building behind him when walking. This setting is typically used in a romantic comedy so the audience knows they can rely on this film to be a film this genre is made to be like. 
The editing of the slides from each shot to shot is very effective, its creative as it brings the shots together even when they involve completely different places in each of the shot. It includes extreme close ups, close ups, mid shots, low angle, and high angle shots showing the main character and the mise en scene around him, showing the audience the surroundings the character is in and making them see what the character is seeing while he is walking, showing him in a normal day in New York. The shots are used in different sizes and moved from left to right to change the different shots using wipe edit, making the credits seem youthful and fun- the music helps continue this theme. The credit writing stands out against the black background, the writing is simple and in white which looks effective as the opening scene is busy with all the different moving shots and with the writing keeping still makes them appeal out to the audience. 
(3.45) When the music begins to fade out when he is entering the building the voice over comes on again, he is again talking directly to the audience making them feel involved and making them relate to what he is going through. When entering the building there is a huge crowd of children and parents gathered shouting and running around, this is where the audience and the main character find out their kids have had a sex ed class, this brings the comedy element in the film, this is a normal situation in life so the audience can understand how the scene is and relate to it. 

Questionnaire

A questionnaire would be useful to get the audience perspective on what a new romantic comedy should involve and how this new film would be an improvement on previous films in the genre as we are asking the mass audience of this type of film. 


Would you be interested in a new romantic comedy film?

Yes/No

If no why please?

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and how would a romantic comedy film appeal to you with new changes? 


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If yes, explain why please?

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What is your favourite Rom-Com out of the following?

Pretty Women

51^st Dates

500 Days of Summer

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

The Holiday

Juno

What do you enjoy about Rom-Com's?


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What features do you think we should involve in the new film


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Institutions

When reasearching through my genre of film, i found the main institutions used for Romantic comedies are '20th Century Fox', 'Paramount' and 'Columbia Pictures', these are big institutes in film production so alot of money is put forward into producing and filming. In my opening title sequence i will use a well known and big production name so the audience knows that alot of effort has been put into the film and are normally successful with their films, and due to the fact they are big production names they have very popular films that are known to do well in the box offices with the public. However i will include a smaller production company to fit in with our theme of having a unknown and unquie film with a twist and having a smaller company unknown will fit with this theme.

I found the information on 'Columbia Pictures' in wilkipedia. Itis an american film company which both support both american and british films in producing and distributing. The studio was ounded in  1919 and named Columbia Pictures in 1924 where previously it was called C.B.C Film Sales. The production is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, in beginning credits of the film the Sony Pictures Entertainment symbol comes up before the picture for CP as it is the owner. Columbia Pictures have produced and distributed a large range of romantic comedies which include high ranked films; The Wedding Planner, When Harry Met Sally, The Ugly Truth, Just Go With It, The Hoilday...all top grossing films in the past decade.

Paramount Pictures is consistently the highest ranked production company which has been producing and distibuting films for many years, it is a film and television production and distribution company. Founded in May 1912 first known as Famous Players Studio but in 1914 names as Paramount Pictures and is based in LA, Calafornia. It has done this with many Romantic Comedies. It is well known for producing well known and likeable films. Films include: No Strings Attached, She's Out of my League, Failure to Launch, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and one of the top grossing films, What Women Want.

Also known as "Fox" and "20th", 20th Century Fox is one of the most popular and well known production distrubuter of all time. It was founded in May 1935 had is the biggest film franchises as they have put their name on so many different types of films. The main base of 20th Century Fox is baded in LA but have another five major film studios over America. The theme song of this production is well known and it iconic to that particular company- i think this type of theme song is effective as the audience will instantly know what production company it is, and as it is so well known world wide the audience will know it is successful and the film will be popular. Romanctic Comedies that 20th Century Fox have produced and distributed include: Love&Other Drugs, What Happens In Vegas, 27 Dresses, Date Night, Bride Wars.

In researching this i found by having more well known and bigger institutions the film is well known to be successful and be popular in the box office.

Juno Opening

In the Juno opening scene, the music instantly hits off with a young, and edgy sound  called "All I Want Is You" this shows the audience that this film is fun and youthful due to the music, it also has a tune of a nursery rhyme which represents the film as Juno becomes pregnant but also represents that she is a child herself as well as bringing a child up. 
The opening scene starts off as the main character Juno who is instantly introduced to the audience, the editing is realistic as she is set in her neighbourhood of "normal" surroundings, she is shown as a normal teenager as she is drinking and eating junk food that typical stereotypes that teenagers do. When Juno starts walking down the street the editing of the sequence is turned into a cartoon effect given off a comic book effect to the opening- it shows the audience that the film is childlike and arty- it represents to the audience that Juno is still a child herself and comic style seems as if she is in a daydream as most children do, due to the fact it changes from realistic to cartoon effect shows the personality of the character as she is undecided whether to be realistic with her life or stay in her own mind. This style includes the institution and names of producers and characters of the film which fits in with the theme of the film, the colours which are yellow and red connote the time of the year which is autumn and bright and youthful but the red can connote danger as with what she is about to find out, the titles are also moving along with the character as she is moving like they are in the wind fitting in with the season, I think this effect is good as it gives the shots a calm effect and as if the character is in their "own little world" as she is so focused on where she is going on not on what she is surrounded by. The titles are also 3-dimensional which makes them stand out and eye-catching to the audience, they stand out against the lighter backgrounds (blues/whites) so they don't fade in the background. 

The mise en scene around her shows the audience the season and weather at the time due to the fallen leaves and what Juno is wearing. The cuts throughout the film is fast and quick from each shot to another, however fit with the style of the film opening as they are not serious and starighcut- sometimes bounce into the screen or zoom in-still fitting in with the youthfulness of the film and makes the clip seem laid back and relaxed, as she is walking to the pace of the music as well. Due to the fact the audience see's a character that is a teenager fits in with the audience they are trying to target which is the main cinema viewing age of 16-25 year old, as they can relate to the particular circumstances the main character Juno is in. 
The colours throughout the clip fit in the Autumn setting of the film, and shows the audience that their is a journey through the film to see what and how Juno decides to grow up. They also give the impression of a Rom-Com due to the warm and rich colours used to connote a the genre. the reds and the pink connote the love and passion, which Juno has with another character in the films and the blues and yellows can represent the childlike of Juno and her baby. 

Box Office Mojo provides the most poular romantic comdies of all time so far. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is the highest grossing rom-com ever, in life time grossing is earned $241,438,208 increasingly higher then rank 2 which is the film What Women Want. My Big Fat Greek Wedding was only shown in 108 theatres as critics and even the people that made the film didn't expect it to be a big hit. So for our film we our going to reasearch films that haven't done as well in the instudustry and ones with unique twists to the films eg. Juno and Knocked-Up.

Rank	Title (click to view)	Studio	Lifetime Gross / Theaters		Opening / Theaters		Date
1	My Big Fat Greek Wedding	IFC	$241,438,208	2,016	$597,362	108	4/19/02
2	What Women Want	Par.	$182,811,707	3,092	$33,614,543	3,012	12/15/00
3	Hitch	Sony	$179,495,555	3,575	$43,142,214	3,575	2/11/05
4	Pretty Woman	BV	$178,406,268	1,811	$11,280,591	1,325	3/23/90
5	There's Something About Mary	Fox	$176,484,651	2,555	$13,740,644	2,186	7/15/98
6	The Proposal	BV	$163,958,031	3,158	$33,627,598	3,056	6/19/09
7	Sex and the City	WB (NL)	$152,647,258	3,325	$57,038,404	3,285	5/30/08
8	Runaway Bride	Par.	$152,257,509	3,240	$35,055,556	3,158	7/30/99
9	Knocked Up	Uni.	$148,768,917	2,975	$30,690,990	2,871	6/1/07
10	As Good as It Gets	Sony	$148,478,011	1,837	$12,606,928	1,572	12/23/97

Schedule

2 week plan

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Analysis of How to lose a guy in ten 10 days	Analysis of 500 days of summer	Analysis of Bride Wars	Analysis of Juno	Analysis of Hitch
Insitutions	Audiences	Analysis of Definatley Maybe	Representation	Analysis of Pretty Women

Plan.

For this project I will be working with Sarah and Ellie, I have worked with them for all my previous shooting and filiming and I think our ideas work well together and have produce the best possible outcomes we could achieve. We have chosen the genre 'Romantic Comedies' as are project for a film opening. There are many different type of Romantic Comedies, so in our reasearch we will be looking at all the different types to see which one would be suited to our capabilities of filming and how our skills of editing and filming would fit into what we want to achieve. When reasearching for our film opening, we need to study how many different ways 'Romantic Comedies' have for openings, and how the openings portray how this film is going to be. Looking at the music, camera angles and types of characters that are being used in the first 5 minutes of the film. Also we will have to look at what target audiences are aimed for these films and how our film is going to fit in with targeting the typical audience for this genre.

Analysis of Opening of a Film

The setting of Sweeney Todd throughout the trailer is very gloomy and sinister. It uses colours to contrast and conotates how the film and characters are going to be. The film uses dark lighting and smoky effects and dark and gloomy scenery, the costumes and makeup are moody to continue the effect that London is a dirty and horrible place. 

The trailer starts as a black screen this creates tension and suspense in what is about to happen during the film. At the beginning, we see the chair where Sweeney Todd kills his victims. We see the journey which his victims have, to become the pie. A tracking camera shot is used to show this, also bloody follows the camera. The colour stands out from the scenery as its grey and black, and the bright red is eye-catching. The colour red symbolises death, blood and warning, this relates to the character Sweeney Todd, as he is a murderer. The non-diegetic music is low and evil it creates a cold atmosphere and foreshadows that something bad is going to happen. The writing on the screen is white, this conotates innocence and pureness, the style is skinny and small to show that Sweeney Todd is in power over them and how fragile they look compared to him and that they do not know what is going to happen to them when they go in his barbershop. ‘Sweeney Todd’ is in dark red this conotates death, warning and evil; the writing is bold and stands out from the black background, using the bold writing shows he stands out against everyone else. The word ‘warning’ relates to him well as he is a murderer but no one knows.  

The lighting throughout the trailer is dark, gloomy and smoky. The effect of the smoky effect gives off mystery also things are hiding and not knowing what is going to jump out at you. The costumes are all dark and dirty, they blend into the background and scenery. Sweeny Todd’s makeup is a white pale face and his eyes look like two black holes and using this effect it doesn’t shown any life in his eyes, this is shown by using an extreme close-up on his face. His costume is black, grey and some red in it, these colours conotates death and blood, this emphasises how dead like Sweeney Todd is and how different he is from everyone else as they are wearing dark blues and browns. The emotions on his face are also used effectively, it shows how much he hates London and the people in it, it shows anger and disgust as he says the word ‘London’, this is also shown by using an extreme close-up camera angle. Using very dark and gloomy props, the atmosphere of the film is very gothic; it reminds the audience of death and funerals.

Camera angles are used to signify which characters are in power; low angle shots are used on Sweeney Todd to signify how powerful he is and makes him look more threatening.  Non-Digetic sound is used when a boy is singing, he sounds happy, cheerful and youthful but as soon as Sweeney Todd starts singing the music turns low and evil, this shows a contrast between the two characters showing that the boy is happy and youthful but Sweeney Todd  doesn’t care and thinks London is a disgrace. This is the first time we are introduced to the character Sweeney Todd he comes across and sinister and evil and does not want other people to be happy as he has lived through a pain in his life. A long shot is used to show the setting, which is London, its cloudy and rainy, it gives the atmosphere that London is a cold, and unwelcoming place, and not a place that you would like to live. The trailer has used editing effectively to cut from scene to scene, to cut from the beginning part to introducing the audience to Sweeney Todd, they have used a fade out effect which turns the screen to black, this indicates that this is the beginning of the story. 

In conclusion, the trailer uses cinematic techniques such as colour connotations, lighting, music, mise en scene, and camera angles. These aids in representing the setting and atmosphere the film is going to be like to the audience by creating a dark, sinister and realistic effect by using the different techniques effectively. By also using these techniques effectively, the audience can connect and relate to the different characters more by making the film more realistic and believable and making the audience feel the way the characters are feeling by making them in the mood in which the characters are. Overall, the trailer is effective as it makes the audience connect and feel for the characters and believe in the setting around them as the props and lighting make it more real. The music sets the mood of the film at the beginning and makes the audience know that this film is going to be evil and moody. It shows the contrast between the other characters and Sweeney Todd and how different they are between each other; this is shown by using make-up, costumes, camera angles and music on each of the characters. 

Script for Continuity

This is the script that our group followed off when filming for the continuity project.