Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind begins with a sequence teaser to suggest to the audience what the narrative will be, and to give them an insight into the protagonists character.
The film starts with the use of an ECU on the character's face. This suggests to the audience what type of person the character is and gives us an idea about their background. Jim Carrey is portrayed as bewildered with the use of this shot and he is also represented as slightly unhygienic and he appears to have no pride in himself or his appearance.
The camera then zooms out to give a wider view of the room and the mise-en-scene is portrayed as a dark and dingy flat which suggests to the audience that the character is unclean and he is possibly stuck in a dead end job and cannot afford to buy another place.
The camera then cuts to Jim Carrey outside of the building trying to get into his car. The mise-en-scene again shows crumbled surrounding buildings and dented garages and cars, this suggests to the audience that the people who live in these buildings don't care about themselves or their environment.
The camera cuts again to Jim Carrey waiting at a crowded train station. A voiceover is informing the audience of what the character is about and what they are thinking, at this point the voiceover is explaining that the character is never usually impulsive and that they feel like taking the day off work. Jim Carrey is then seen running towards the exit, the music is fast paced as is the editing with the use of fast paced cuts. The sound of a ringing bell can be heard in the background to build tension for the audience at the same time.
The camera then again cuts to an isolated beach where Jim Carrey is strolling along on his own. The isolation of the beach suggests to the audience that the character has quite a lonely life, this idea is reinforced with the use of the voiceover as the character explains about his ex-girlfriend and how he cannot talk to or make eye contact with any female. The background music turns melancholic as is to suggest that this is just another repetitive day for the character.
The camera then cuts to a woman walking along the beach, the strong waves crash about suggesting to the audience that this is a representation of Jim Carrey's life- mad and chaotic.
Jim Carrey's character is then caught up in a flirtation with the Kate Winslet's character as they get back on the train to head home. She then invites him to her house where the mise-en-scene is again dark and dingy suggesting that they are similar people and come from the same world. The audience then sees the relationship grow between them.
The camera then cuts to Jim Carrey driving in his battered car, he is crying and banging the steering wheel. The scene is set at night keeping the mise-en-scene dark and creepy matching his behaviour. The music also fits the mood as it is quite depressing for the audience and the use of pathetic fallacy is good as there is heavy rain creating tension for the character and also the audience.
The use of an ECU shows the audience that the character is angry and sobbing as his hands are shaking violently. The music then becomes fast paced and it creates tension for the audience to suggest that something bad might happen.
The camera then cuts to Jim Carrey in his flat, the mise-en-scene is still dark and dingy with little lighting. The protagonist takes a pill while he keeps looking out of the window to a van outside. The music once again quickens its pace as the character pulls the blind down. This suggests to the audience that the character may be being watched or stalked.
There is a non-diegetic sound of a ticking clock which gets increasingly louder, this gives the audience a sense that something bad is about to happen.
The people in the van then break in with their equipment and then the camera cuts to show Jim Carrey lying on the floor passed out after taking the pill.
The Butterfly Effect
The Butterfly Effect begins with an explanation of the Chaos Theory. This suggests to the audience what the film will be about and also gives us a greater understanding of what the character will experience which enables us to relate better to the protagonist throughout the film.
The film then begins with the camera tracking left by a window and the shadow of a figure can be seen moving running along the outside corridor. The mise-en-scene is dark with little lighting apart from a torch shining through the window.
The camera then stops tracking when it reaches a door, and it remains static as the character enters.
Ashton Kutcher can be seen wearing a blue and white stripy dressing gown whilst he is running around the room with a panicked and bewildered expression.
Deep and loud voices can be heard shouting while Ashton Kutcher's character re-arranges the furniture over the door so that people cannot get in.
The music is fast paced creating tension for the audience whilst it fits the mood of the characters behaviour.
The protagonist can be seen on the floor under a table murmuring to himself extracts from a diary. The camera then fades to the title sequence.
The title sequence is electric blue with the image of a brain in the background and butterflies fluttering around as if to form the brain. The image is in the form and colour of an x-ray which gives the audience narrative clues.
The camera then cuts to a black screen with white writing explaining that the story has developed and we are now 13 years ahead. Bright mise-en-scene can be seen which suggests a flashback to the characters childhood. The use of dialogue between the characters gives the audience an understanding about their background which suggests that Ethan has missed a crucial part of family life during his upbringing, but his mother has always been there for him.
The storyline progresses to show that Ethan has been at school and has drawn an image of a murderer as part of the task of what he wants to be when he grows up. This gives the audience narrative clues as we witness the teacher telling his mother that when Ethan was questioned about the drawing he could not remember doing it. The music is quite spooky and slow paced to reinforce this to the audience.
The camera then cuts to another day when Ethan is seen standing with a knife in his hand while his mother is trying to get it from him. He appears to be blanked out and he doesn't realise what is happening. This gives the audience narrative clues, and it also links back to the title sequence of the brain and the butterflies.
Scream
Scream begins with the sound of voice screaming and a heartbeat can be heard in the background. The title then appears on the screen in bright red to connote blood, death and danger which suggests to the audience what the film is about.
The camera then cuts to Drew Barrymore's character while she is in a house on her own. The use of an isolated setting suggests to the audience that something sinister will happen to the main protagonist.
The phone then rings and someone appears to be prank calling her. The voice is extremely creepy and gives the audience an image of a perverted person on the other end of the phone.
The camera then cuts to show her answering the phone again, but this time Drew Barrymore has a full conversation with the person. The main protagonist can be seen playing with knives and the sound effect is heightened as she pulls out the knife from the box. This also suggests that something sinister will happen which may involve the use of knives such as a brutal murder.
While Drew Barrymore is on the phone to the other person she leaves her popcorn on and the sound of crackling is heightened as if the bag is about to explode. This creates tension for the audience and makes us become frightened for the character.
The film is set at night in a dark isolated house which has big windows. A barking dog can also be heard suggesting that their is somebody around who has triggered this off and scared the dog. This gives the audience an idea that Drew Barrymore is being watched by somebody. This idea is also conveyed through the dialogue as the other person on the end of the phone asks the characters name because he wants to know 'who he is looking at'.
Love Actually
The film begins with a documentary style teaser. This gives the audience narrative clues whilst there are ECU's of people hugging at an airport. The use of a documentary style teaser creates realism for the audience.
Slow motion and ECU's are used of children running up to parents and being embraced and re-united. At this point there is a voice over which is done by Hugh Grant explaining to the audience how "love is everywhere". This again gives the audience narrative clues to the film.
A tagline then appears at the bottom of the screen saying 'love actually is all around', this links to the title of the film and the use of the colour red on the word 'is' connotes love and passion.
The camera then cuts to a black background with the title "Love Actually" in red and white lettering. This ensures that the title stands out to the audience.
The camera then cuts to an ECU of a character singing in a recording studio. Meanwhile the names of the actors appear at the bottom of the screen in red and white lettering which keeps with the trend of the title.
The camera then cuts to an MS of the same character with his backing singers. His costume suggests that he is an old 'rock 'n' roll wannabe'.
The mise-en-scene is bright and creates a happy mood for the audience.
The main character then uses inappropriate language to create humour for the audience. This links to the rom-com genre.
The camera then buts from the recording studio to a couple carrying a Christmas tree, then there are fast-paced cuts of London surroundings such as the London Eye on the River Thames and an ice rink which suggests an element of romance to the audience.
The camera then cuts to an ECU of a character looking for something in a drawer. The camera then pans to the bed which his girlfriend is sitting on. The man is portrayed as 'soppy' whilst his is declaring his love for her.
The camera cuts to an MS of Liam Neeson who is portrayed as lonely which is relatable to the audience of which people may be single.
The camera cuts to an MS of a 'geeky' delivery man then to a woman in an office. The dialogue suggests that he is desperate and in love with her, but she does not want him. This is suggested by her body language as she walks out of the office.
The camera then cuts to a couple who are being filmed for a sex scene. They get on well even though they are in an embarrassing situation.
The camera then cuts to two men in a church awaiting the bride to get married. The camera then cuts to the Prime Minister on Downing Street, and the camera zooms in on his face as he gets out of his car.
An ECU is used on Hugh Grant's face whilst he is talking to his colleagues. His character as the Prime Minister is portrayed as friendly, witty, approachable and humourous for the audience.
The use of inappropriate language is funny as it isn't conventional to the subject of the genre and the character types, for example the Prime Minister is portrayed as 'Down to Earth'.
The use of the different characters shown in the opening sequence suggests the storylines for the audience. This links to the idea of romance and comedy.
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