4) 'watching' documentary (RESEARCH)

what does Thomas Sutcliffe mean when he says "films need to seduce their audience into long term commitment. while there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible?

• Thomas Sutcliffe is saying that a film need to maintain the audience's focus and make them want to watch more. for this to happen a consistent quality must be maintained throughout the entire film rather than having the beginning significantly better than the rest. although the opening must 'instantly arouse' the audience to draw them in to the world of the film.

according to director jean Jacques beineix, what are the risks of 'instant arousal'?

• the risks of 'instant arousal' is that the rest of the film could suffer if it doesn't match what has come before.

explain why "a good opening must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet, and at the same time make sure that it doesn't know too little"?

• this must be done to ensure that the audience feels inclined to watch more to solve any questions, and by giving them some information already they will feel engaged. also it creates a sense of intrigue regarding the narrative.

what does Stanley Kauffmann describe as the classic opening?

• Stanley Kauffmann says the classic opening starts with an establishing shot that then progressively zooms to reveal the main character, this is effective because it tells the audience of the setting, occupation of the central character and the organization of the world. all these key points are set efficiently by using the classic opening.

why is Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film seven so effective?

• the opening to seven is so effective because it throws the audience straight in and sets the tone for the rest of the film. it also tells a story in and of itself that is full of foreshadowing, as well as introducing the obsessive nature of the main character.

what does Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film 'A touch of evil'. what did Universal do to it and why?

• Orson Welles wanted to the plunge the audience straight into the story without any non digetic elements but Universal added a score and the credits as that was the traditional way to do an opening sequence.

what is meant by "a favourite trick of film noir"? what is the trick?

• the trick is when the beginning is like an ending. this is effective because it gives the audience a destination and the rest of the film is the journey. It also gives the audience a reason to watch the film again as you can notice more things on a second viewing.

how does the opening of the film the shining create suspense?

• the opening of the shining creates suspense as the location looks almost picture-esque but it is full of bad omens. the camera moves like a predator, fixated on a tiny object (the car) this makes the audience feel as though the car is travelling in the wrong direction. the music adds to the feeling of suspense as it is quite ominous.

Akiiki Kelly