Conventions of opening sequences - Social Realism #1

Film title: Happy-Go-Lucky
Genre: Social Realism
Director: Mike Leigh
Release date: 2006
Part 1 clip:

1) Sound:

At the beginning of the film light hearted music is played whiles the titles run. Typical of a social realism film. Its an upbeat soothing music which fits in with the movement in the film behind. Usually in a social realism film the music fits in with the action. Happy-go-lucky is a great example of this. The music can be heard through half of the opening sequence which again is typical of a social realism film. It sets the scene and the emotion for the film. Sound effects such as the till and footsteps can be heard clearly in the opening but really focus on natural everyday sound. Just real life in a film. The music starts again towards the ending of the opening sequence as they walk down the road. This is to build emotion and to get the viewer interested and more emotional about what is to come. Right at the end the music is also played to help the film shift scenes and to help it move on in time.

2) Mise-en-scene:

The location for a social realism film is usually more light and run down unlike a horror film which is more dark and middle class. Social realism films usually take place in and focus on a working to lower class area.

Another typical area of a social realism film is the working or lower class area. It is shown in a high angled shot to establish the scene and where they live. it gives the film geography. It shows a run down shop in a dark street. It definitely tells you the kind of area this film is shot in.

This picture shows a house in which the main character lives in. As you can see the main props such as alcohol and cigarettes show clearly how everyday their life is. It shows that, at the time, these girls were just doing what normal girls do. Having fun and partying.
The costume in the opening sequence is also important as it shows the time in which the film was shot and which stereotypes were around. It sets the scene and gives you a feel for what the film will be like.
The costume also shows you how working or lower class the characters and the area in which it is filmed is.


3) Colour, font and positioning of title:

At the very beginning of this film we see the production companies who help produce the film These always appear at the beginning of a social realism film. 

 These are made very clear to start with. The fade in in a simple transition. They are very bold coloured which makes them very noticeable which also makes them seem very important to the film.


Next comes the people who help fund the filming. These are usually small fades in and out and used to advertise their service to the film industry. As social realism films usually are made on a low budget it is important for them to get outside funding. 

At the beginning of the film the opening titles are met with part of the filming at the side of it. This makes the titles more enjoyable and less of a hassle to look at and enjoy. It harmlessly takes your mind off it and focuses it on the main film to keep you interested. The titles fade in and out as the video swaps from side to side to keep the viewer interested and watching.

 

4) Enigma codes:

It is fair to say that social realism films do not arrive at such easy enigma codes as horror films do. They make you work to find out what is happening.
Some in this opening sequence:

1. Why does the woman go to a book shop?
2. When in the book shop why does she go to the children's section?
3. Who stole her bike and why?
4. Why is she suddenly at a party? Who's party is it?
5. Is that her house they are in?
6. Where does she wake up in the morning?

 5) Cinematography:

This film uses many camera angles and shot types to make it look more 'homemade' and not set out like a film. Social realism films use interesting camera angles to keep the viewer interested.

The use of long shots throughout the opening sequence really allows the viewer to set the scene for themselves and to experience what the character is also experiencing and look at. It makes the viewer feel part of the film and draws them in more. It tells you that this character will be the main center of focus. 

The effect of the 180 degree shot is simple, to give the audience a sense of geography and to not confuse them by changes camera sides and disorientating them. It again shows the audience that this is the main character as its a close-up and really focuses on her.

The shot reverse shot is useful as a comedy sign and also so you can hear and feel the conversation going on between the characters. It makes the audience feel part of the conversation and encourages them to continue viewing the film. Her convocation tell the audience that the film is about her and her life. We follow her and tend to listen to what she has to say more.

The establishing shot in the night club sets the scene for you. It helps you understand where the scenes are moving on to. It establishes the characters personality and also gives the audience a guide to what time genre they were in.

Lastly, the high angle and POV shot helps you understand the character and see what she is seeing. You feel like you know her more personally. Its gives you a sense of her life. Again, as we see everything fro her point of view you finally understand that the film is solely focused on her.

6) Editing techniques and effects:

Here you can see that the editing is not smooth at all! The shots flick from one to another sharply and even change location very quick with no subtle warning. This method in a social realism film is not unusual. The hand held. Home made film feel is a typical convention of this genre of film.

7) Character representation and establishing:

We firstly meet our main character right at the beginning of the film.

We know she is the main character as we see her throughout the opening sequence and follow her life. Also the camera follows her around through the whole of the scene making it very obvious who she is and how important in the film she is.

We then meet the man who owns the book shop. He isn't a very powerful character in the film as he is only shot for a few seconds and has little lines in the scene. 

Finally we meet all of the main characters friends but do not yet get a sense of who they are and how important they may become as we have not been properly introduced to them.

8) Target audience:

The target audience I would saw would be 15+. A part of you can tell from where the film is set and from other social realism films the language will not be appropriate for younger viewers. Also, some scene of drinking may be offensive to others.