Hi!
This week, I watched and reviewed, as well as provided some critique to my classmates' first cuts of their opening scenes.
Here are my reviews:
1. [Unamed] https://youtu.be/pwUBkwR0Ths?si=epNScnoTh1T5WhDa
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
I thought the camera shots, specifically the closeups of the protagonist's hands and piano, as well as the tracking shots of him walking add a intense feeling to the scenes. I also particularily enjoyed the reverse zoom at 0:44. This technical element was a nice way to fully introduce what the protagonist looked like. Overall, the shot types were well thought out and positively add on to the opening scene.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I wasn't a fan of using the plain black screens as a transition in betwen scenes, like at 0:17. They felt random and left me wishing for something more intruiging to look at rather than a pitch black screen. Especially since the absence of music or audio leaves something to be desired of these cuts.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes, this opening scene looked like a proper movie opener. The fact that the protagonist's face was hidden until a certain point added onto the mystery and succeeded in forming a true sequence of events like it would in a real film. The ending of the opening scene where a new face appears in the shadows made me want to know what happens next.
Was there anything that left you confused?
No, I understood the general premise of the opening scene as a person leaving after playing the piano and having a mysterious figure in the back seat of their car, unbeknownst to them. The only thing I was confused on was the name of the opening scene, since there isn't one included.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
I don't think any of it needs to be refilmed, simply edited. Some mysterious or ominous music would work perfectly, maybe even some classical music to tie in the piano aspect. A title sequence with an appropriate-sounding title would help to specialize the opening scene. Some of the scenes are longer than I would deem necessary, so I would cut them a little, like the scene of him taking off his tie at 1:40.
2. "Two Peas in a Pod" https://youtu.be/4iy64blVFJk?si=3TtjfMeGZLARf_GG
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
I liked the tracking shot at 1:23 that follows one of the protagonists as the other comes up to her to tell her something. The use of this tracking shot made the scene look more realistic and natural, like viewers were following the protagonist on her daily life. Additionally, my favorite part must've been the focus pull at 1:47. This was a very well-executed and properly placed use of varying the focus and gave this opening scene a unique touch.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I disliked the speed of the zoom at 0:56. If done slower, it would've added a more sentimental moment to the scene. Instead, it felt hurried and insignificant. Also, I'm not a fan of the transitions used to cut in between scenes. They feel immature and oddly placed. Something like a match cut or whip pan may work better for this scenario.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes, this does feel like the opening scene to a movie. Especially due to the establishing shots at the start that showcase the setting of the school and library. However, it doesn't make me want to know what happens next as the editing itself was underwhelming and left a lot to be desired. It didn't make me excited or curious about the characters and their situation.
Was there anything that left you confused?
Yes, I wish viewers got a better idea of what one of the protagonists' whispered in the others' ears, and why it caused them to have such an adverse reaction. Was he trying to start a rumor or get revenge? Also, why was he being excluded and left out? Are the others not truly friends with him?
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
I think fixing the camera position at the start and end to align better with the rest of the opening scene would help make it more cohesive and not look so messy. Including various shot types instead of one long master shot would add some diversity to the scene, like an eyeline match. Adjusting the volume where conversations are being held so viewers can hear the actors more clearly would also improve the opening scene. Lastly, incorporating different lighting could give this film's premise more interest. Maybe the scenes where the protagonist is whispering in the others' ears could be done with low lighting.
3. "Missing" https://youtu.be/vAW-q6FRgtA?si=enadMdUilcoBedbn
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
I enjoyed the editing done at 0:48 that implies there's someone watching them and adds a mysterious feeling to the next scenes. Also, the title sequence is very well executed. I like how the camera tilts toward the sky and trees. The soft focus during it is also well done because it helps the title become prominent agaisnt the background.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I didn't like the medium shot at 0:17 because it didn't add any significant meaning to the scene and looked unnatural. I also disliked the zoom at 0:25 because it adds a "vlogging" style to the shot, whereas it's not utilized anywhere else in the opening scene.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes, this does feel like the opening scene to a movie. By puting the title sequence halfway through the opening scene, it gives viewers a chance to become aqquanted with ther protagonists. Also, the chronological order of the events help secure the idea of this opening scene as a mystery about a person who has gone missing. The ending makes me curious as to where the coordinates lead and what the protagonists will find there.
Was there anything that left you confused?
Yes, why does it suddenly get dark at 1:06? Additionally, why do the protagonists have better clue-finding abilities than the supposed detective at the start who told them the missing person might be gone? If one of the characters was set up to appear as a highly intelligent person, the opening scene may be more believable.
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
My suggestion would be to refilm the ending scene where it suddenly gets dark to make the opening scene more cohesive and understandable. Instead of some of the editing like the cut to the medium shot and the zoom, actually moving the camera might look more impressive than what was done post-production.
4. "Betrayed Shadows" https://youtu.be/MWhmKSlVnc8?si=4BH3y3PxmZLmtMKS
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
I liked the "vlogging" type of shot at 0:27. This is unique and shows the viewers what the protagonists are doing and seeing, like a point of view shot. Also, I specifically like the tracking shot at 0:41 because it cuts perfectly to the next scene where one of the protagonists run up to go see the lake. This makes viewers feel as if they're part of the action and getting to enjoy the view of the lake as well.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I wasn't a fan of the excessively long tracking shot at the start of the opening scene. It felt redundant and overdone and made me lose interest. I also disliked the natural lighting from the sunlight; it was too much high-key lighting for the theme of this opening scene.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes, this does feel like the opening scene to a movie. By adding the cut-off where the protagonist is approached and suddenly drops the phone, it creats a scary atmosphere that makes viewers worry and wonder what happened to the actor.
Was there anything that left you confused?
Yes, who are the protagonists filming for? Are they a group of influencers or are they just making a small vlog for their friends and family? Did the person who kidnapped the protagonist at the end have a vendetta against her, or was she just at the wrong place at the wrong time?
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
I believe some different kinds of footage during the tracking shots would benefit this opening scene. Close-ups of the surrounding nature, the protagonists' outfits, or even their faces instead of one master shot would work well. Also, a title sequence would tastefully piece the whole scene together. Lastly, making the digetic sounds of the twigs snapping at 0:36 louder would add more depth to the opening scene.
5. "The Ivy Chase" https://youtu.be/mjYc0V77OLQ?si=eKCXltCDGvEJTytd
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you like?
I loved the insert of the computer screen at 0:42. It subtely adds to the personality of this protagonist as someone whon isn't confident and is insecure. For contrast, the over-the-shoulder shot of the other protagonist looking in the mirror is a perfect character foil to one another. I also like the two-shot of both protagonists sitting together.
What specific technical elements of the film opening did you dislike?
I did not like the length of the two-shot or how one-dimensional it was. In the sense that it was very basic and was just an elongated shot without any extra context. I think the audio is very plain and does not add anything to the opening scene. Also, the title sequence at the end is boring and lacks color or personality.
Did this look like a movie opener and did it make you want to know what happens next?
Yes, this does feel like the opening scene to a movie. It sets up the setting and situation as a school and protagonists who are about to find out the results to their college applications. The opening scene also includes other tidbits that could be expanded on, if this were a full length film, such as the diference between the popular, confident protagonist and the shy, insecure protagonist.
Was there anything that left you confused?
Yes, what happened during 0:49 where one protagonist sees the other searching up a guide to self confidence. It then cuts to another scene of them siting together. I'm confused on the sequence of events. Also, why is one protagonist mean to the other? What is the history?
What suggestions do you have to make this movie opener better?
I think some upbeat, popular music would fit perfectly during the starting scenes where one of the protagonists is putting on makeup. This would contrast with the shy and soft-spoken protagonist, where some quieter music could be introduced. Also, adding some close-ups of the protagonists' faces during the two-shot, as well as some zooms, would add a perfect final touch for the opening scene.
Thank you for reading! These are all of my reviews.
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