Love Actually
(0.0-1.12 minutes)
Introduction to the film/Brief background
The second movie opening I have chosen is a Rom-Com,Love Actually (2003).Directed by Richard Curtis, staring Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson, made in Studio Canal and Working Title Films studios.Based on eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.The film was budgeted $30,000,000 and an estimated $200,000,000 worldwide as the opening weekend.If looking at the critical acclaim Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 63% and 55/100 overall.The film received numerous awards, such as a BAFTA and the Empire awards, as well as being nominated for a Golden Globe in 2004 and the Critics Choice awards.
Film's Narrative for the Opening scene
The film begins with a voice over from David (Hugh Grant) commenting that whenever he gets gloomy with the state of the world he thinks about the arrivals terminal at Heathrow Airport, and the pure uncomplicated love felt as friends and families welcome their arriving loved ones.
The narrative in the first scene is immediately made clear and links to the title of the movie 'Love', which representation of this being shown throughout the clip.
Representation
Characters/Social groups and Mis en scene- There are several characters shown in the first scene, with the majority dressed in casual, middle-class-lower-class costumes.Referring to the idea of them just arriving off a plane or journey, the setting/location also suggests this with clear signs of a airport environment.All the characters body language seems positive and all seem happy, joyful and alive.This is shown through denotations;smiles and the affection given to one another.
The characters in this scene are also varied in age, as well as origin, with old and young subjects, which again helps appeal to a wider audience on a global scale.
Props- Sunglasses are placed on one of the characters, which show a representation of someone returning or going to a hot climate designation, i.e- on holiday, as well as luggage giving connotations of an arrival from a holiday/trip.
Costumes-The majority of the costume portray the idea of casual, convenient clothes, which illustrate traveling, and links to the setting ( an airport).
They all appear to have generalized costumes, with little femininity, which draws the audience more towards the voice over of Hugh Grant.The costumes don't necessary link to the era or the mood of the film, yet as mentioned before hand, the characters costumes aren't the most important element of the scene, you are attracted to the use of sound more.
Accent-Immediately the audience has knowledge of the film's accent, with the voice over of Hugh Grant, it's pretty clear that the accent is British.
Accent-Immediately the audience has knowledge of the film's accent, with the voice over of Hugh Grant, it's pretty clear that the accent is British.
Makeup- the makeup palette is neutral for all characters with the main focus on the voice over.
Sound-A voice over is used by Hugh Grant.Which draws and entices the audience in, helping them establish the key important and topic of the movie. There is also non-diegetic music of a incidental track under the voice over, which increases in volume from beginning to end.
Sound-A voice over is used by Hugh Grant.Which draws and entices the audience in, helping them establish the key important and topic of the movie. There is also non-diegetic music of a incidental track under the voice over, which increases in volume from beginning to end.
Location
The scene was filmed in Heathrow Airport, which is immediately made clear in both the title and the props used.Such as billboards and flight screens.The setting is made to achieve the idea that the characters are arriving/returning to there home, with family and friends greeting them , this makes me infer that it is the department lounge.Using characters from different countries also links to the idea of the location being in a airport.
Sound
Incidental music is used at the beginning, alongside the voice over of Hugh Grant.This makes the audience engage into the visuals, and entices them to continue watching the movie.I personally believe with this effect the audience become involved in the scene and it encourages them to listen.
Without the voice over the audience would not feel as connected to the character and to the film itself, because the mis scene of the characters and props are so generalized and stereotypical it also helps the audience relate to them.This voice over also shows off the genre of the film, with Hugh Grant expressing his emotions and thoughts on 'Love', which coincidentally is the title of the film and helps it link to a genre, Rom-Com, because love is stereo typically thought off with this type of movie.
Mood/Atmosphere
The atmosphere is very different to the first movie opening I analysed, with it being positive and happy.This is created through the characters body language and gestures to one another.With most smiling or greeting others by hugs or kisses.This again shows connotations of a stereotypical Rom-Com.
Sound
Incidental music is used at the beginning, alongside the voice over of Hugh Grant.This makes the audience engage into the visuals, and entices them to continue watching the movie.I personally believe with this effect the audience become involved in the scene and it encourages them to listen.
Without the voice over the audience would not feel as connected to the character and to the film itself, because the mis scene of the characters and props are so generalized and stereotypical it also helps the audience relate to them.This voice over also shows off the genre of the film, with Hugh Grant expressing his emotions and thoughts on 'Love', which coincidentally is the title of the film and helps it link to a genre, Rom-Com, because love is stereo typically thought off with this type of movie.
Mood/Atmosphere
The atmosphere is very different to the first movie opening I analysed, with it being positive and happy.This is created through the characters body language and gestures to one another.With most smiling or greeting others by hugs or kisses.This again shows connotations of a stereotypical Rom-Com.
The mood is similar, being joyous and cheerful in all aspects.
Titles/Typography
There are several titles throughout this scene, the first advertising the studio in which the film was by, in this case Universal Pictures and Studio Canal, produced by Working Title.
The typography used is simple, yet effective, with Century Gothic font in white.
Camera shots/Movements Extreme-closeup are used to help show the characters emotions and expressions.
Tracking is also used half way through the scene which shows the character/subject from a different perspective, behind the character.
Low and High angle shots are used which again show different perspectives on the character/subject.For example one low angle shot is used to show the perspective of a child character, looking up at the subject focus, which we can only assume is the mother.
There is also a fade in and out shot which features in the beginning and end of the scene.
Titles/Typography
There are several titles throughout this scene, the first advertising the studio in which the film was by, in this case Universal Pictures and Studio Canal, produced by Working Title.
The typography used is simple, yet effective, with Century Gothic font in white.
Camera shots/Movements Extreme-closeup are used to help show the characters emotions and expressions.
Tracking is also used half way through the scene which shows the character/subject from a different perspective, behind the character.
Low and High angle shots are used which again show different perspectives on the character/subject.For example one low angle shot is used to show the perspective of a child character, looking up at the subject focus, which we can only assume is the mother.
There is also a fade in and out shot which features in the beginning and end of the scene.
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