Gestalt - How would you start a film?
A film's opening is possibly the most crucial part of the film, because it could either make it or break it. If a film starts off boring, or weak, then the audience are almost definitely not going to stay and watch the whole thing!
Below are ways that a film could be started:
Start at the end: This is when the ending of the film starts at the end, a good example would be the 1995 film ‘Casino’.
Unknown/Question: Begin with something that leads to audience to ask questions, keeping them in the dark leaves them interested.
Intro to the character(s): This allows the audience to know who’s story they are following.
Prologue: An event or action that leads to another event or situation. Basically the beginning of the story,
Event: An event taking place that leads to more events that create the film.
Trailers & Adverts: They are played in the cinema and on dvd’s before the film.
Logos/Ident: Company logos and idents are played at the start of films.
Music/Audio: Sometimes there may just be music played.
Clues to the storyline are given to the audience.
Audience are giving information.
Shock/Jolt: Something shocking the audience all ready engrossing them in the film.
The main question to directors is with the opening do you BUILD or do you HIT?
An example of a mixture of both is 'Jaws'. In the opening, a camera sweeps through the water, going through reefs and seaweed and then it cuts to a group of young people. Two of the young people go for a swim however the male is slower therefore gives up running to the sea while the girl begins swimming and soon is taken by the shark. This is a brilliant intro to the film and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. There are actually rumours that actress Susan Backlinie that played ‘Chrissie’ the first victim of the shark was in real pain and it is rumoured that some of her ribs were broken. So maybe her screams of pain were genuine then again it could just be a rumour. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/)
An opening is crucial to a film and I believe an opening/intro to a film can make or break.
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