Year 10 Media Coursework

Compare the techniques used in the opening sequences of two films

You may choose between:

• Raiders of the lost ark [Stills] 
• E.T. [Stills] 
• A Close Shave
• Jaws. [Stills] [Storyboard] 

1. Introduction

You should talk generally about what makes a good opening to a film. What sort of things is important? What are the key components of an opening? (Music, SFX,etc.) Then say what films you are going to write about. Who directed them? What are they about? What audience are the aimed at? Who wrote the music?

2. Second paragraph - music

Talk about the music in the two films you have chosen. What type of music is used? What instruments? Is there a theme tune? What are the differences/similarities between the two films? What does the music add to the film? When is music used or not used? What effects can be created by the music?

Film A does this, whereas film B does …………

3. Third paragraph – sound effects

The sound effects obviously add to the atmosphere. What sounds effects are used and when? Why are these sound effects used?

4. Fourth paragraph – camera techniques and lighting

Talk about the various different camera shots and lighting effects and what these add to the atmosphere and mood being created.

5. Fifth paragraph – creation of atmosphere and tension

What different methods are used to change the atmosphere, create tension, or change the mood in each of the films you have chosen? How effective do you think this is?

6. Conclusion

Refer back to the points you made in your opening paragraph. say how successful the two films are with their opening sequences. Do they make people want to see the rest of the film? Do they set the scene for the whole movie?

Points to think about when writing your essay

Don’t forget the P.E.E. system for writing essays. P.E.E. stands for Point – Evidence – Explanation.

Point – State your idea
Music can add a greatly to the atmosphere of a film. It can create tension or change the mood completely.

Evidence – Give an example from a film
In “Chicken Run” the theme music is a spoof of “The Great Escape”.

Explanation – what effect does this create? Why is this done?
This immediately creates the atmosphere of a prisoner of war movie and sets the scene as if it were set in a prisoner of war camp and not on a farm.

• because
• the effect of this is
• it works because
• “Jaws” uses this, whereas “Raiders” uses that
• however
• in contrast
• my reason for thinking this is………..
• secondly
• in addition…….
• another point is
• this effect makes the cinema-goer think/believe
• from this we are made to feel that………..
• finally