Romantic Comedy Film Openings

I have analysed two film openings, below, from our chosen genre (Romantic Comedy). This research will give me a better idea of how other films have approach opening their films, to fit the genre, so I can take some ideas for what to do with ours.

Easy A

This opening sequence uses a voice over, which sets the scene. What is said in the voice over, such as "If Google Earth were a guy, he couldn't find me even if I was dressed up as a ten storey building.", make it very clear that the film is a romantic comedy. The joke represents the comedy and the talk of being invisible to men adds the romantic element.

The camera pans throughout the setting, to let the audience know where the film is taking place. It is obviously a school and we get to see many different types of character, who are mostly stereotyped, which also hints at the film being funny.

The titles are nicely integrated into the sequence. The use of a basic font and clever positioning, means that they blend in nicely. A few also appear at good times, such as Emma Stone's name appearing as her character does.

The fact that the scene is so blatantly set for the audience, using voice over and setting/character introduction, shows that this film would use the Hypodermic Needle Theory, and just be for simply entertainment, no further interaction involved. Unless, hover, audience members can relate to the main character's hopelessness with relationships, in which there would be the Uses and Gratification's Theory as well.

You've Got Mail

This film opening, doesn't necessarily show that it is a romantic comedy. It spends a lot of time setting the scene, so it is clear that the story takes place in a city (New York) and it highlights the use of technology make it clear that technology will be a big part in the story, but it doesn't show any signs of romance or comedy. 

The light music could signify something good will happen, such as a relationship, and makes it light hearted, like a comedy. But that is as far as it goes. this could be good in the way that it doesn't give too much information away, too early (like Easy A), but it also doesn't make it clear to the audience what type of film they're watching.

The titles are in an appropriate font, but not integrated in to the scene.