Research on the Openings Pt 2

Continuation from my last post; on the samples for the genres I was looking for.

Genre	Case Studies
Drama/Coming of age	Moonlight (2016) By Barry Jenkins Observations: Rather than a piece from a score there is a radio quality sound:” Every N*gger is a Star,” appearing before the first shot is taken and within the first 2 min there are no opening credits Shot Composition: The scene starts with the shot of a car where a man steps out follows him as he walks to two other men. This is a master shot that doesn’t stop until he sees some kids run through the street; then it cuts to a handheld-tracking shot of a boy being chased. Analysis: The very beginning of the film starts with a black screen where there is some asynchronous beach water sounds that slowly overlap with the song with radio quality sets the scene. The master shot with the sporadic movements not only keeps the audience focused on who’s in front of the camera. Through the scene, we are shown the community as well as the conditions of their neighborhood that set the scene for the story. I think the lack of credits, in the beginning, makes this artistic decision force the audience to focus on what is being shown.
Drama series	13 Reasons Why (2017) By Brian Yorkey Observation: Music with vocals, and close-ups on characters to catch emotion; no opening credits Shot Composition: Starts with a close-up of a picture of Hannah Baker that zooms out to an out-of-focus shot to focus on a boy. Cut to a shot of Hannah Baker before transition that shows that she's not there. Over the shoulder shot of him looking at people’s reactions to Hannah Baker’s memorial. Medium to another over the shoulder of him looking at the memorial as he moves closer. Then we have multiple medium shots that follow the conversation between the two boys, before ending on a close-up on the first boy’s face. Analysis: This is different from a movie but the way that they go about preparing the story for the viewer. The use of slow-motion for everyone else but the first boy calls attention to him and the difference in attitude between the normal students and him. As well as starting the story from the end in a sense; the ending of something else. As well as the interactions that can’t be deduced by context clues and force the viewer to keep watching.
Drama	Akeelah and the Bee (2006) By Doug Atchison Observation: There are a lot of panning shots that usually go in the order of left consequentially and then right. The title screen coincides with the beat of the music. Shot Composition: A pan to the right, a pan to the left, then two still shots, followed by more left and right pans of the suburbs and the environment. Cut to a closeup of Akeelah, fade into more pans to the right showing the school before going to an over-the-shoulder shot of the teacher handing out tests. Before beginning a shot to shot featuring different angles during the conversation between Akeelah and her teacher. Analysis: The editing of the title to match up with the music makes for an engaging and fun introduction. The voiceover done by Akeelah helps set the stage for her goals and her situation.