Analysing romantic comedy

Analysing an Opening Scene to a romantic comedy film the (holiday)

•       Sound:

•       Sound is very important within a romantic comedy to help set the tone mood and atmosphere.

•       Non-diegetic music is used to reflect the narrative events such as the characters showing emotion and connecting with others.

•      Camera Angles:

•      A close-up shot is used to show the character and what she is like with her facial expressions so people can straight away tell what she is feeling.

•      An establishing shot is used of the setting so we can quickly see where it is set and the first events will take place.

•      A tracking shot follows the character and what she is doing. Also another medium shot is used to show other character’s that she is talking about and how she is in love with a man.

•      Characters:

•      The main characters are introduced in the opening scene when Kate winslet is talking about her life and her crush she is in love with. The audience recognises that they are the main characters through the use of the dialogue/camera shots/events that they are involved in.

•      Enigma codes:

•      Enigma codes are used to tease the audience and engage them in the narrative so they carry on watching the film. Certain enigmas are included in the opening such as puzzles about how the character is so in love with this man and what has happened previously between them. Questions are left unanswered about why she wants love so much and why she is in a kind of depression about love.

•      The audience want to know what will happen to the character in the future of the film and see their happy ending.

•      Clichés:

•      Noticeable clichés are used in the opening scene such as the main character talking deeply about love and her life problems. This engages the audience as they recognise these features and can predict what is going to happen in the narrative.