When planning the opening of our film, we faced a crucial decision: How can we set the tone and keep our audiences engaged from the start? Different types of film openings are used to set different narrative purposes. My group narrowed down 12 different film openings to two; "Enter the Villain" and "Plot Catalyst"
"Enter the Villain" vs. "Plot Catalyst"
Enter the Villain
In Midsommar, the villain is introduced not traditionally, but is instead represented as something disturbing done by the cult in the movie. The opening scene sets the stage for the horror that will unfold, as the audience is introduced to a murder. As the cult's disturbing rituals become more apparent as the film progresses, the initial hints of danger were laid out early.
How to Apply This to Our Film: In a similar manner, I could introduce the villain through subtle cues. The idea of keeping our villains face anonymous throughout the opening was talked about in my group and everyone seemed to approve. Doing this can create a sense of unease and mystery before the full extent of the antagonists plans are revealed. This can be achieved through lighting and camera positioning to keep his face hidden.
Plot Catalyst
The opening scene of Jaws sets the tone for the entirety of the film. There are distinctive camera techniques used to immerse the audience into the perspective of the shark prior to the attack. This perspective mirrors that the threat is hidden, unseen, and always lurking out of view. The shark's view is essential for building suspense, as it heightens the tension while making the audience feel vulnerable.
How to Apply This to Our Film: In our project we could potentially use the camera to represent the villain's perspective early on, which can create a sense of doom for the audience. Another example would be if the antagonist is a mysterious figure or person, I could use close-up shots of objects or places they've seen to create tension before we fully reveal them.
After exploring several types of film openings in class, my group and I have decided to use the "Enter the Villain" opening for our project. This decision aligns perfectly with the genres we've chosen for our final film—drama, horror, mystery, and crime—and is inspired by A24's signature filmmaking style. This opening immediately establishes a threat or conflict, which is key to engaging the audience in the beginning. By choosing the "Enter the Villain" opening, we can immediately establish a strong sense of conflict, drawing the audience into the darker elements of the story. By taking inspiration from these films, we can create a visually engaging introduction to our antagonist. This opening choice will ensure that our film starts with a strong hook, laying the groundwork for the narrative to follow, and allows us to build tension and suspense as we move forward.
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