Producers and Distributors

From this research I was quite surprised by how many of the 'big blockbuster' film companies are subsidiaries of bigger companies for example Paramount Pictures which is a subsidiary of Viacom and Universal which is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal. I was also surprised by the amount of subsidiaries that the 'blockbuster' film companies then owned.
I have learnt that alot of the big blockbuster companies release coming of age films, for example Paramount released Pretty In Pink and Universal released Sixteen Candles, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Breakfast Club. This is so that they can reach a wider audience and not just the target audiences for other genres such as action and thriller which would target an older audience.
This will help me when I am deciding which company I would want my film to be released by and who would be best to produce and represent it.

Coming-of-age Opening Sequence Conventions

This is a video of the mise-en-scene analysis I did for 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'.




I also looked at other peoples research and analysis so that I could have knowledge of the conventions of all different types and sub-genres of coming of age opening sequences.

The first one I looked at was by Freya Vincent:



The second one was by Megan Bennett:



The final one I looked at was by Rebecca Moffat:




Learning Comment

• The most common typography used is a bold but simple font this represents the teenage audience and the teenage characters in the film. It does this through the typography as the plain style demonstrates how the teenage audience wants to be identified the same as any other age group and not stereotyped. The bold element of the typography connotes the tone of the film as fun and lighthearted. 
• The most commonly used lighting technique is high key lighting as it gives an insight into the narrative suggesting a happy and light-hearted mood to the film.
• In the coming-of-age opening sequences I included in my research, the scene was usually set within the first couple of shots, this helps engage the audience as they can then understand where the narrative takes place, making them feel more included.

History of Coming of Age Films

Learning Comment: 
From carrying out this task, I learnt that throughout time there are many codes and conventions that a coming-of-age film follows, such as introducing the characters usually within the first few minutes of the opening sequence.
Despite the time period the film is made in the protagonist is always a teenager which fits the genre of coming-of-age. From researching the history of opening sequences it is obvious that within the first few minutes of the opening sequence of a coming of age film, an insight into the narrative and tone of the film is given.
From this task, my favourite films that I researched were The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Mean Girls, I enjoyed these films over the others because they are entertaining and funny. However they also explore themes that as a teenager I can relate to, for example the struggle of growing up and having to move on (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), being stereotyped for being clever or your hobbies (The Breakfast Club) or the desire and struggle to fit in and be liked (Mean Girls).

Famous Opening Sequences

For this task I researched into ten different opening sequences, I analysed films from a range of genres so that I could closely see the codes and conventions of films from each of the genres and their similarities and differences. 

Learning Comment

From this task I have learnt that most film opening sequences have the institutional information and logo of which company produced and directed the film. I have also learnt that opening film credits include the lead actors and actresses, the writer and director but they also include the names and roles of the set leaders, for example “costume designer”.

I have also discovered that the music from the opening sequence fits the tone and theme of the film. For example the fast tempo music from the start of the Kingsman film fits the action-packed theme of the rest of the film.

From this task I recognised that in the majority of the opening film sequences such as Grease, Gladiator, Silence of the lambs, Now You See Me, Kingsman, Forrest Gump; the main characters and their backgrounds were introduced within the first few minutes of the opening sequence.

The tone of the film is set within the first couple of minutes through the music, the high and low key lighting, such as Gladiator features a lot of low key lighting within the first few minutes, connoting that this will be a serious thought provoking film. Whereas Footloose is filmed in mostly high key lighting to connote the light-hearted nature of the film. 

Non-diegetic noises such as music and sound affects were used to further amplify the tone of the film for example in the opening of the action film Kingsman gunshots and explosions to emphasize the fast-paced and exciting atmosphere. 

My favourite opening was Now You See Me as I found it to be the most exciting and attention grabbing of all of them as it attracts your attention and makes you instantly want to know more. The appeal of this film is further increased by the dialogue and non-diegetic music which builds at the right moment to create suspense and excitement which left me wanting to finish the film to know what is going to happen.