Film Opening Analysis

‘The Fault In Our Stars’

Camera:

An extreme close up is used on her eyes right at the beginning. This is used to show the audience that this particular character is the subject of the movie, there is a reason why the extreme close up has been used on this character.

An establishing shot to show the sky and the stars. This signifies that the sky is the subject of the scene. Because the title is ‘The Fault In Our Stars’, the sky is shown to signify that this movie may be related to stars. It sends a message to the audience because in the previous shot, the character is looking at the camera but the audience don’t know what she might be really looking at.

A mid shot is used to show the audience what the character is looking at.

A Steadicam is used when the scene changes from one to another, it shows a smooth shot of the action happening on the scene. In this case it shows her laughing in front of boy sitting in front of her.

Editing:

Sound:

A Fade is used in this scene in order to go to the next scene where the character is shown laughing at the restaurant. This sends a message out to the audience, to show them that all the scenes are connected.

A cut and a fade is used in these two scenes to show them first entering the room and then cuts to them kissing and falling onto the bed. This signifies that they are going to have a romantic moment in this particular scene.

Non-diegetic sound is used when the production name is shown on the screen. The sound signifies that this movie is either a comedy/romance or drama film.

Sound bridge is used through- out the opening sequence. This signifies that the same music has been used in order to show that all the scenes are related to one another and all of them have the same message.

Mise-en-scene-Setting:

A voice-over is used through-out the whole opening sequence. This shows the audience that the voice over is there to tell the story, and also there is a reason why this particular character is telling the story.

The first scene is set in the garden, in order to show that the character is staring at the stars. This may signify what the character likes, it may mean that this character likes stars and therefore likes staring at them each night.

The restaurant is used in order to show the audience that the character is on a date but they do not show the character in front of her, in order to create a mystery for the audience.

This scene is set outside in order to show the audience that the two characters are slow dancing outside, this shows the audience that they are on a date.

Lighting:

This scene is set in a bedroom in order to show the audience that the two characters are having a romantic moment.

The lighting in the scene showing Hazel staring at the sky is a quiet dark in order to show the audience that she is lying on the grass outside at night.

The lighting is bright in the scene when it shows Hazel laughing. This signifies that Hazel is the main character of the movie, she is the subject of the movie and she is rather important.

Costume:

Conventions of the film opening:

The film title ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ The credits (Production company name, actors/actress’ names) Soundtrack Location

The lighting is bright in the scene where Hazel and Augustus are slow dancing in order to show that these two characters are the main subject of the movie.

The lighting is rather bright in the scene where the two characters are in the bedroom in order to show the action of the scene. This is to show the audience what is going on.

The costume worn by the characters show that they are both protagonists as they are both wearing bright colours.