Like mentioned in previous posts the most common sound in a 1st shot is an audio bridge from the titles/idents into the actual film. This being said different audio carries different connotations towards film genres.
This most obvious example is in the horror genre where rock music is often used. An example is in the beginning of the bride of Chucky.
However this applies to every genre of both music and film. Such as more classical music connotes a more serious piece such as a drama or romance. Where as pop music or just generally more up beat songs would connote a comedy.
This isn't the only genre signification though, as both titles and just general exposition, through use of mis en scene, provide signification of different genre's.
A good example of film opening exposition is in working title's About a Boy
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The coffee cup connotes to a more mature and intellectual person, however the red bull can juxtaposes this.
1st Shot
Looked at about 30 seconds for the start
Often -
- an extreme long shot
- establishing shot
- Uses audio from this shot to make an audio bridge from idents
- less significant titles will be on screen
- rule of thirds to show main protagonist
- audio builds up to build narrative enigma (either through volume or through genre of music)
- lots of mis en scene for narrative enigma
EXAMPLES
hot fuzz
-extreme long shot
-yes and no to typical establishing shot, as it isnt outside but it is first shot and its an els and gives us idea of area
- sirens cut sharp when the doors open ( signifies comedy )
- diegetic sound of doors open, but its exaggerated diegetic sound.
- Character is rushing which connotesseriousness, takes his job serious and is a serious character.
- Rule of thirds, shows hes central protagonist
(side note 'in association with studio canal' shows junior company)
- disguised cut after first shot ( but has an elipses )
- long open take ( 31 sec open take )
- close up of his serious expression, and his badge has same exaggerated impression ( comical )
- A lot of exaggerated points, such as how long his walk is,
- synth note builds up tension
Bridget jones's diary
- london/ england taxis
- snow, signifies christmas
- medium long shot, rule of thirds, central protagonist
- No hat or umbrella, + blonde female ( male gaze )
- reverse tracking shot, tracking her, voice over = central protagonist
- side note - rural village appears cute, nice little village ( what WT does, normative representation of England )
Narrative enigma + Main protagonist
Like mentioned above this occurs to all the examples already stated and a good point is in working titles About a Boy
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Well we never actually see the main protagonists face the camera follows the individual, therefor using rule of thirds we can assume that the individual is the main protagonist, yet instead of seeing the individuals face, we see more items and key aspects of his apartment.
This helps build the narrative enigma as all the items play a key role in the exposition of the scene and film, however it stills builds suspense because the man isn't scene till the very end
Rule of thirds is best shown in movie posters
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In this film poster for BJD, you can Cleary see the female is between two other males, therefor connoting that she is Bridget Jone's
Mise En Scene
( Everything already talked about )
Transitioning to the main film
applying this to The bride of Chucky
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It is clear when the main film begins because the title helps cover the scene transition, but the camera also pans up into the sky and this is a common technique (also visible in Jaun of the Dead)
However in About a boy the camera doesn't pan into the air and the title doesn't appear, but instead it is that the character leaves the starting point. This is a common point in a film to break the opening from the rest of the film. As it is quite simple denotation of the character leaving their starting point ( Like a board game)
This can be accompanied with a change of music to really highlight the change, and in some scenarios (especially in the zombie genre) when the problem is revealed.
This is Clear in both Jaun of the Dead and Shaun of the dead
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Audience representation and Intertextuality
It is key to appeal to your primary and secondary audience when making a film, and the opening is to get there interest so a common aim is to have audience representations so that your audience can relate to the film.
This is clearly distinct between Warp and Working title films
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