Student Film Openings Analysis

The Lurker
(Ilkley Grammar School)




The genre for this film opening is made clear from the start by using connotations and signifiers linked with the horror genre. Examples of this are shots of a girl walking around on her own (which has connotations of being vulnerable, susceptible to danger) and the creepy non-diegetic sound used. Mise-en-scene is used well with the use of location (woods- this adds to the isolated feel) and props. (such as the knife) Arguably the lighting could have been made darker in order to make it creepier but may have not been easily achieved or fit well in with the rest of the film, as the main character is in school uniform. This overall sets the theme and atmosphere for the rest of the theme well and the unnerving atmosphere makes the audience question what is to happen, prompting them to keep watching. A variation of shots are used such as pans, midshots and tracking shots which help to give the impression that the protagonist is being followed.

However, there are negative aspects of the opening. Titles are not used anywhere within the film opening and the film's main title is not shown. The narrative for the film, that despite being simplistic, is rather predictable, as the film opening ends with the antagonist getting closer to the naive protagonist with a knife. This predictability can mean that the opening loses its appeal for the audience watching, as the film's storyline is stereotypical for its genre and most of what is to happen is revealed within the first two minutes.

Overall, certain aspects of this film opening are good, such as the non-diegetic music used, various shots and the use of mise-en-scene, but the lack of titling and the simplistic, predictable storyline have the possibility of making the opening plain and boring for viewers rather than being effective and interesting.


Wrenched
(Ilkley Grammar School)



This film opening, of thriller/horror genre, has a good use of titling with production logos shown at the start. The title do not obtrude or distract from the main content of the film, which allows the audience to pay attention to whatever they choose. The use of non-diegetic sound throughout the film opening is good as both non-diegetic music is used to set the atmosphere and feel and the diegetic sound- such as the kettle boiling and dialogue- helps to add to this. Multiple camera angles are used such as midshots, over the shoulder shots and close ups which gives variation and keeps the viewer interested. Editing is effective in this piece, particularly to show the difference between the male character's actions and the female character's actions. The narrative is not necessarily obvious- keeping the audience watching- or stereotypical to the film's genre.

On the other hand, there are aspects of the film opening which are not so good- such as the film's title being shown at the end. It could also be said that there is perhaps too much happening within the first two minutes, or that it could be paced slower to make it seem more like a film opening as opposed to a short film. 

In conclusion, this student film opening has a lot of good aspects with in regards to things such as the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound, camera angles and narrative- however the pacing may be a bit too fast paced and the main film title being shown at the end of the piece.

Retribution
(Sidney Stringer Academy)



This film opening is also of the thriller/horror genre, shown from conventions and aspects within the piece such as the girl being tied up, the blood and the non-diegetic music used. This piece uses titles, unlike the first student film opening I analysed, which clearly shows the production company as well as the cast. The use of non-diegetic music beats in time with the titles shown to give more of an impact and the music adds to the unsettling atmosphere. The use of editing is good with the clear differentiation between past and present with the use of cutaways and changing to black and white. This use of flashbacks helps to build up to the moment and gives some background information on the main character introduced. There is a variation in camera shots such as pans and tilts to make the audience carry on watching and keep them interested.

However, negative points about the film opening are things such as the main film title being shown at the end. This is something that is usually shown for film trailers, not film openings, and almost makes it seem as if the sequence has ended. The narrative shown is quite clear and almost predictable as the film starts out in the middle of quite an intense event, which may make the rest of the film's plotline predictable for the audience. This may mean that the attention of the audience wavers, as the first two minutes are rather stereotypical and unoriginal for a horror/thriller film. 

Overall, this film opening uses good generic conventions which make the film's genre clear to the audience, the use of non-diegetic music helps to set atmosphere, theme and mood and the use of flashbacks helps to add some background to the plot. However, the plot shown within the first minute and a half seems rather simplistic and unoriginal for the film's genre which may lessen the interest from the audience as what is to happen is too obvious.