Extension task - '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"

Thomas Sutcliffe means that the storyline of a film has to persuade its targeted audience by making sure the audience continue to watch the film and not get distracted by any other obstacles. 

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

According to Director Jean, the plot of the film has to gradually grow. If you give everything away in the beginning than you will find yourself in a bad position to develop the story interestingly.

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

A good beginning of a film needs to catch the audience's attention by building up an interesting story according to the genre of the film, this will engage the audience to watch the film till the end. 

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

A classic opening is when the film begins with an establishing shot of a city, then a close-up of a building then the camera zooms inside the building through a window, panning the receptionist to a private office and there we are introduced to the actor. This opening works because it informs the audience about the location of the film and builds up an image of the actor's occupation.

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

Because it instantly grabs the audience's attention by making them feel involved within the film.

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

Orson Welles wanted to present the opening of his film in an unusual way. He wanted the audience to watch the film without an introduction to the actors in the film as he tried presenting the opening without credits or a title sequence. However, Universal Studios put the credits and the music as they were more cautious.

7) What is meant by "a favourite trick of Film Noir"? What is the trick?

It means to start the film by the ending. The trick is to establish a destination through the opening rather than a departure point.

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

The camera portrays the car as a predator. The shot is powerful providing a beautiful view but remain fixed in the tiny object, telling the audience that the car is going to the wrong direction.