Film Opening Research

 February 2, 2024

Film Opening Research

Today, I am looking at different film openings to get inspiration and figure out how to make my own film opening engaging. The first few minutes of a movie usually set the tone and introduce the world to the audience. Analyzing how other coming-of-age films will help me decide on things like music, color, and editing for my project. 

10 Things I Hate About You

10 Things I Hate About You grabs the audience's attention right away with a drumbeat before showing a bright city. The title pops up shaking in a fun font that matches the vibe of the film. The camera pans through the city, with a high angle of two cars, one blasting pop music and the other playing alternative rock. The bright colors in the credits and scenery make the film feel more alive. The movie makes it really clear that Kat doesn’t fit in with the usual high school crowd just by how she’s introduced. The bright, fun high school setting contrasts with her edgier, alternative style, which is shown through her music and attitude instead of dialogue. I could do something similar in my film by using different types of music and visuals to show character personalities right away. Maybe my main character’s room, outfit, or even what they listen to could give hints about who they are before they even start talking.

Clueless

Clueless starts full of energy. The music kicks in immediately, making everything feel upbeat and fun. The Paramount logo fades into the title, which has a fun and playful look. The first shot is from above, showing a car full of teenagers, making it clear they have an easy, carefree life. Then we see Cher, the main character, in a fast montage of her shopping, hanging out, and having fun, all while wearing bright and stylish outfits. The fast editing makes her world feel exciting and busy. Then it slows down as she looks in the mirror and talks to the audience, making her more relatable. The scene where she uses a computer to pick an outfit is fun and also gives insight into her personality. The way Clueless mixes fast cuts, bright visuals, and voiceover to introduce Cher is something I could use in my film, maybe by doing a quick montage to introduce a character’s personality before slowing down for a more personal moment. Using a mix of fast-paced clips and a character breaking the fourth wall could be a great way to bring my audience into my film right away.

Good Boys

Good Boys starts very differently from the other two movies. There's no music at first, just the Universal and Good Universe logos, which makes the opening feel quieter and more personal. As soon as the camera moves into a bedroom, the music starts, and you can tell a lot about the character just by looking at his room. It's full of dinosaur toys and other kid stuff, showing that Max, the main character, is still young even though he wants to grow up. Then we see him watching something on his computer and building a contraption to warn him if someone opens the door. This shows his curiosity and innocence without needing any dialogue. Instead of flashy editing or bold colors, this opening focuses on small details to tell us about Max, which is something I could use in my film by letting the setting and little actions reveal things about my characters. Instead of relying on a lot of dialogue, I could make my character’s personality clear through their room, what they’re doing, and small moments that feel natural.

While the style of these films may differ, they all set the mood, introduce the main character, and hook viewers using music, fast-paced editing, and attention to detail. They all immediately engage an audience. These openings will give me ideas on how to make my film opening fun and interesting, either through contrasts, fun montages, or subtle moments in character. I could then mix and match these techniques into my film while still engaging from its very start.