Film Openings

The opening of the film “Lady Bird” is a great example of what we want to accomplish with our film opening because it establishes the characters' relationships and sets the tone for the rest of the film. Obviously our opening will not be exactly the same, we want to incorporate techniques and shot composition used in the opening in our own project. After the usual run through of various production companies, the movie begins with a close up of two characters sleeping in bed. Lady Bird/Christine and her mother are physically only inches away from each other, but what this proximity could represent is the close emotional bond that the two share. This is further emphasized by their identical reactions to the ending of the book they were listening to on tape in the subsequent car scene. The relatively plain and monotonous surroundings allow the audience to really focus on the characters movements and conversation. The dialogue between Christine and her mother became combative as they argue about Christine’s future and what she should do for college. Christine gets upset and throws herself out of the car. The next scene shows her bright pink cast among a sea of uniformed students in church. This is supposed to show how Lady Bird is unique and stands out in the world. This is reinforced when all the students are going to take communion at the altar. Lady bird folds her arms and receives a blessing instead showing she wants to be different. Overall this opening does an amazing job of establishing the main character and setting up the conflict in the plot, which  is Christine’s future. This coming of age drama is something we want to emulate. 

The opening of the film “The Revenant” was designed to establish the background of the main character. The entire opening dialogue is in the Pawnee language because the main character has adopted this language since his family speaks it. It begins by panning left over the main character and then his wife and child. A voice over starts telling his son to stay strong and be brave as footage of tragedy silently plays. It is assumed that he is the voice over and that they have persevered through hardship. The subsequent scene of father and son silently hunting a deer establishes their close relationship. This scene also establishes the time period as their clothes and weapons are in 19th century fashion. It appears as if the main character, Glass, will have to again survive hardship because this is the theme presented in the opening. This opening did not have one especially long scene, instead it is mostly a series of flashbacks with a voice over. Our opening will not be as violent as this one, however this opening does a good job of representing the time period and establishing setting which is something we would like to accomplish as well. 

The purpose of the opening of the film “Life of Pi” is mainly to establish the background of the main character, Pi, and the circumstances that set the plot into motion. The film starts in what looks like a zoo and the opening credits play over a montage of various exotic animals including a tiger, monkeys, and a zebra among others. The montage of animals cuts to a closeup of an older man who we learn is the main character. An interviewer, off camera, asks him about where he grew up, and Pi launches into his story. This establishes the process of the film, how it goes back and forth between present day and the past. While major plot points are not revealed in the opening, the audience is introduced to a wide range of characters who become important later on. Our film opening will also include some background, but we also want to include present day stuff as well. This opening is a perfect example of exactly how to do just that.