‘Watching’ Documentary on film Openings

1). What does Thomas Sutcliffe mean when he says “Films need to seduce their audience into long term commitment. While there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible”

• Although I’m not Thomas Sutcliffe and I wouldn’t actually know what he means, he stresses that a film opening is crucial. I believe that he talks about individuals and their preferred genres in film. As in the audience need to be instantly drawn to a film from the beginning. For example, if an comedy fan saw their favourite actor (i.e. Jonah Hill) in distress, they’d instantly be ‘hooked’ to the film all the way through to the end.

2). According to Director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of ‘instant arousal’?

• The expectation of a film will have to live up to a it’s opening, providing that it’s good. If a film turns out to be a ‘flop’, despite it’s decent opening, it may not be able to keep the audience entertained. 

3). Explain why “a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn’t nearly know enough yet, and that at the same time make sure that it doesn’t know too little”

• You’d want to give away enough of a story's plot to keep the audience interested, better known, aroused. However, one’d want to avoid giving away too much of a films plot, rendering it pointless/not worth the money.
  

4). What does critic Stanley Kauffman describe as the classic opening? Why does this work?

• The classic opening to a film according to S.K is a shot/pan of the city which the plot takes place. I believe this establishes a true setting and applies the plot to everyday life.
  

5). Why is Kyle Cooper’s title sequence to the film Seven so effective?

• The title sequence for the film Seven foreshadows what is going to happen in the film the notebook and pictures.
  

6). What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to a film A Touch of Evil? What did Universal Studios do to it? Why?

• Welles wanted to achieve the “All in one” take, capturing enough of the plot in the opening. Universal Studios put music and title sequences over the original footage. I think this was done to add realism/professionalism to the film’s style?

7). What is meant by “a favourite trick of Film Noir”? What is the trick?

• Although I’m still unsure as to what “a favourite trick of Film Noir” means, the trick is to record the film in non-chronological order. e.g. putting the ending of the film at the beginning.  

8). How does the opening to the film The Shining create suspense?

• Suspense is created in the opening of The Shining as the camera is following the car conveying connotations of a hunter following it’s prey. Also, the eerie music creates tension. Eventually creating suspense as the volume gradually gets louder and louder.