SUMMARY OF CODES AND CONVENTIONS

TARA AND CLAIRE

WHAT COMMON ELEMENTS OF GENRE DO THE OPENINGS SEEM TO PROVIDE?• Equilibrium to disruption is a quick and abrupt transition in the narrative- meaning the

audience establishes a connection and gains an insight into how quickly teens lives can change.

• The coming of age theme is really convergent: we often get to experience and relate to the struggles of teenagers e.g. friendship problems.

• The conventional costume is archetypal British everyday wear ie jeans and a tshirt. Makeup is often minimal or less subtle to exaggerate a more flamboyant character.

• Regarding setting, stock settings seem to be houses, streets, parks and other communal areas like schools. This anchors the convergent verisimiltude of the genre.

• The text often begins with the protagonist, this character narrates us through their friends: giving us an insight into how the characters connect with each other as a friendship group. This establishes Blumler and Katz’ emotional connection because we see the characters through the protgaonists point of view.

• After this narration (usually through a voiceover) we get to decide the personalities and characters of the friends for ourselves due to seeing how/why all the friends are so close.

WHAT/WHO DO THE AUDIENCE TEND TO GET INTRODUCED TO?

WHAT NARRATIVE STRUCTURE IS EVIDENT IN THE OPENING?• EQUILIBRIUM: this stage often begins with a ‘day in the life’ style with the main protagonist

informing us of their typical day. This includes who they meet/socialise with and what kind of person the character(s) are.

• DISRUPTION: this change from a peaceful mood is often really abrupt and unexpected. This anchors the emotional connection because we symapthise and relate to how quickly a teens life/day can change.

• RECOGNITION OF DISRUPTION: this realisation of a disruption usually occurs from the protagonist again informing us of how this change has affected all the characters lives , e.g. seeing a dead body in Stand by me.

HOW IS EDITING USED TO REFLECT GENRE/MOOD/CREATE PACE?• The convergent editing encourages verisimiltude

through a continual edit. This anchors the realism of the genre and again anchors the emotional connection on a realistic level.

• The editing is also used to allow the audience to see all the elements through the eyes of the protagonist. Techniques like shot reverse shot allow us to engage with conversations and experiences between friends.

• In more melancholy moments (often in the disruption) more fade/dissolve edits are used to mirror the sombre tone and anchor our empathy with the characters.

WHAT TITLES ARE EVIDENT IN THE OPENING OF THE FILM?

• Sometimes, dates and days were introduced, especially in the opening of seven. This gave the opening, context and sometimes shows whether the

opening is set in the future, after the disruption, or before.

As shown here in the opening for the film ‘Seven’ and ’juno’

HOW IS NON-DIEGETIC SOUND USED TO CREATE MEANING?

• It is used to reflect the upcoming enigma, tell us when something isn’t what they seem, to keep the pace of the film the same and set a positive or negative mood. They are also used as a soundtrack, keeping a realistic setting.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF A FILM OPENING?• The primary function is to connect the audience with the characters at an early stage,

on a level where they feel an important connection with them and want to watch on to see what happens to them in the rest of the film.

• The opening can also be used to entice their chosen audience with what they wanted to get from the movie, therefore, showing their audience elements of that specific genre that they would most likely enjoy.

WHAT CONVERGENT ELEMENTS WILL WE NEED TO USE?• Friendship• An intrusion/disruption, just after the equilibrium is set• Minimal make-up• Normal costume• Everyday setting• The sound mirrors the mood of the scene