What techniques are used in the opening scenes of the film Twilight to capture and sustain the interest of its audience?

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1 What techniques are used in the opening scenes of the film Twilight to capture and sustain the interest of its audience? You should consider: the genre that the film belongs to and the expectations of its intended audience how the film establishes its setting the music, colour and camera shots and editing used and the atmosphere these create how the film introduces its characters how the film indicates its major themes whether you think it is successful. Use the spaces below to help you collect ideas for your essay. Background The film Twilight is based on the first in a series of novels by the author Stephanie Meyers. Complete a small amount of background research to find out who these novels are intended for and what they are about. Find out when the film as released and the names of its producer, director and main actors. Who is the intended audience of this film? How do you know this? Page 1 of 8

2 Genre The word genre refers to a type of film, literature or music. As an audience, we expect certain things from different genres; these are called generic conventions. By considering a text s genre we can infer and deduce things about it, linking it to other texts whilst broadening our knowledge and understanding. The concept of genre is not always simple though. It could be argued that the film Twilight combines elements from a number of different genres; thriller, romance, teen, horror, fantasy and vampire. What conventions do you expect from the following genres? Consider setting, characters, themes and atmosphere. One example is completed for you. Thriller Romance Teen School, home, recognisable day-to-day events and places e.g. prom. Family, friends, relationships, different cliques, boy and girl. The future, growing up, identity, alienation, bullying, love. Elements of comedy and drama. We grow up with the central characters and relate to their experiences. Horror Fantasy Vampire As you watch the opening scenes of the film for the first time highlight any of these conventions that you are aware of. What is the effect of incorporating elements from different genres in one film? How would you simply define the genre of Twilight? Page 2 of 8

3 Taking notes: It s all in the preparation... You are going to analyse the opening scenes of Twilight looking carefully at the techniques that are used and their effect on the audience. As you watch the film it is important that you keep clear and concise notes. Clear, concise notes = successful essays that are enjoyable to write! Being able to make effective notes is an important skill to learn and practise; it will help you in all your subjects and in the future. There are lots of different ways to make effective notes. The method that is most effective for you will very much depend on how you think and the situation that you are in. It is worth trying out different methods to see what works for you! You could try: diagrams or illustrations lists or bullet points draw arrows, use numbers (1,2,3) subheadings CAPITALS font effects e.g. Italics, BOLD, colour. Whatever methods you choose to use good notes will: help you identify and remember key information and ideas help you to quickly identify and locate that information for your final essay help you to collect and organise your ideas. Good notes should: consist of key words and phrases- not full sentences be written in your own words and not copied be clear, organised and easy to read. Note taking task 1) You have five minutes to read the information on the next page and identify the key information that it provides. You should be selective. What information do you think might be useful for your essay? Make your notes on a separate sheet of paper or in your exercise book Page 3 of 8

4 Twilight (2008 film) From Wikipedia Twilight is a 2008 American romantic-fantasy film directed by Catherine Hardwicke and based on the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. The protagonists of the film are Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, who are played by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, respectively. The premise focuses on a teenage girl and a vampire who fall in love. The project was in development for approximately three years at Paramount Pictures before it was put into pre-production by Summit Entertainment. The novel was adapted for the screen by Melissa Rosenberg in late 2007, shortly before the Writers Guild of America strike. The film was primarily shot in Washington and Oregon in early Twilight was released in theaters on November 21, 2008, and grossed US$35.7 million on its opening day. As of May 30, 2009, the film has grossed US$382,133,300 in worldwide box office and $148,771,132 in North American DVD sales. The soundtrack was released on November 4, ) Now, turn this sheet over and give a brief account of the information you have retrieved to the person sitting next to you (refer to your notes if you get stuck). Your partner should then do the same. Now consider the following questions: Have they included different information to you? What made you select the information you have? Is the way you have recorded your information effective? 2) You may like to find some more information about this film and the novel that it is based on. There is loads of information on the internet but, as always, be careful where that information comes from and carefully select relevant material only; a lot of information will not be relevant for your essay. Below are two websites to help you start: Page 4 of 8

5 Twilight notes When analysing a film you should think about: the music that is used and its effect on the mood of the film the camera angles, techniques and editing that is used and their effect how characters are introduced and developed the setting(s) and what we learn from them how themes are suggested and explored the dialogue and its delivery. When you analyse a film you are looking at the pictures that are created and what these tell an audience. You need to consider how small details give the audience particular impressions and what they encourage us to infer. Key words: Connotations (connotes) Inference Action Establishing shots Diegetic sound The opening scene: The deer Tone/mood Tension Panning shot Zoom Mise en scène Close-up Medium shot Long shot Aerial shots The introduction of Bella in Phoenix Arriving in Forks, Washington Page 5 of 8

6 At home with Charlie First day at school The Cullens Themes Other impressions Page 6 of 8

7 Twilight essay framework What techniques are used in the opening scenes of the film Twilight to capture and sustain the interest of its audience? You could organise your essay in the following way: In the first section the introduction you should introduce the film Twilight and tell the reader a little bit about its background. You should identify and explain its intended audience and explain the question that you will be answering. In the second section you should explore the genres that the film combines elements of. You should highlight the expectations that you have of films that contain elements of these genres. How would you label the genre of Twilight? In the third section you should discuss the techniques (music, camera shots, colours and sounds) that the film uses to establish its settings; Phoenix, Forks, home and school. Think about how these settings are shown to differ and what the audience is encouraged to learn about them. In the fourth section you should discuss the techniques (music, camera shots, colours, sounds, costumes and movements) that the film uses to introduce some of its major characters; Bella Swan, Charlie Swan, the Cullen s, the school friends. How do these techniques work together to capture our interest? In the last section the conclusion you should consider the themes that the film explores. What techniques are used to introduce and hint at these themes? You should also explore how the opening scenes of the film suggest what is to come and evaluate how effective it is at capturing the attention of its intended audience Page 7 of 8

8 Remember You should discuss a range of different techniques that the director employs and their effect on the audience. Use quotations and evidence to support your ideas. Try to use a range of connectives to show the relationships between your ideas. Plan and check your work carefully. Aim to write between 1000 and 1200 words. Example extract This is an extract taken from a student essay (complete with incorrectly used apostrophes!). Read the extract and consider the following questions: What does this student do well? What could this student improve? What information could they go on to include? How might they make their points more effective? The Cullens are first introduced to the audience in the middle of Bella s first day at school. She is seen sitting in the school canteen talking to her new friends; the director uses close-ups to show that Bella is nervous and uncomfortable, as most teenagers would be at a new school, we can empathise with her reactions and feelings. When the Cullen s walk into the canteen the camera moves with them using a panning shot; the speed slows down and the diagetic sound of students having their lunch and chatting is replaced with the theme music of the film. All these techniques highlight importance of the Cullens in the film and make them seem unusual and different. It is almost as if the all the students in the canteen go quiet and watch their entrance and we, as an audience, are sitting watching as well. All the Cullen s are dressed in cream, white and blue clothes; these are very cold colours and make the Cullen s seem cold and distant whilst also making them stand out further from the jeans and bright colours worn by the rest of the students Page 8 of 8