Research: The 'Watching' documentary

Research: Extension Task.

The following questions are about the film opening of the 'Watching':

1. 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"? 

A film must make sure the audience are interested and want to continue watching, an easy way to do this is to make the opening of the film draw them in.

2. According to Director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of 'instant arousal'?

He believes the main satisfaction from the film should be built up to, and shown after the audience have waited for a while, rather than straight away. He thinks the risk of an 'instant arousal' is what you will do next, and how it will continue to interest the audience.

3. Explain why "a good beginning 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". 
The audience make an early adjustment to the film, the beginning is when they establish what type of film it is. The opening is where the film is coming to terms with its viewers. 

4. What does critic Stanley Kauffmann describe at the classic opening? Why does this work?

The film begins with an establishing shot, which shows the audience the setting of the film. The camera then zooms into a building window,which then leads to a close up of a character in the building. This process allows the audience to see the protagonists home area and occupation.

5. Why is Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film Seven so effective.

The title sequence was a main part of the opening because it introduced the personality of the main character. The sequence had a psychotic energy which foreshadowed what would happen later on in the film .

6. What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film "A touch of evil"? What did universal studios do to it? 
Orson Welles intended to include no credits or title music in his opening scene. He wanted to plunge the audience into the story without giving them time to prepare themselves for it. The universal studios disagreed with his idea, and inserted the credits and source music. Welles intended effect and originality was lost.