Research opening- Love Actually

Film opening love actually

Love actually was made in 2003 and the film is certified age 15. Universal pictures and StudioCanal produced the film. The director of Love Actually is Richard Curtis. The distribution company was Filmes Lusomundo. The gross takings in America for the film was $59,365,105. The film received 1 BAFTA, 1 Empire Award, 2 Evening standard British film award and more.

Target audience and whom it appeals to

After watching the opening of the film I can connote that this has a target audience of 13-50. I think this because the storyline could appeal to this age gap and the script could be funny for this age gap. I think that this film appeals to both genders as there are characters that both genders would like and favour. I think people who would go and watch this film and expect romance and comedy pleasures.

The Titles

The titles in the film are quite minimalistic and only show important names such as production company and the title of the film. "Love actually is all around" is also included in the opening title and appears on the screen in sync with the voice over. This particular line is based on the song "Love is all around" which in the beginning of the film is sung by one of the characters. The typeface that is used in this film is very simple and I can connote that it is like this to stop the audience from being distracted from the clip playing in the background- I can infer that this is what the director wants us to focus on. The colour of the font is white which is a neutral which can be for both genders. At one point the word "is" is in red which can emphasise its meaning- the word in red which is used later is "love". I think that this is highlighted in red because it makes it standout more and red is stereotypically a colour related to love.

 Whilst the credits are going on in the foreground, in the background a clip is shown from an airport in the arrivals area showing loved one being reunited. This could be showing the audience that the film is based on love as it is shown many times in the airport clip and is also making the theme of love more prominent. In this film opening it also shows people from different genders and age groups which could emphasise how this film is for both genders and more than one age group.  

Sound

In this opening there is a sound track added to the opening of the film. The score is quite soft, relaxing and quite romantic. This kind of music fits in well with the genre of film which is romantic comedy- it also helps to set a romantic atmosphere which goes well with the airport clip in the background which is full of love. Whilst the clip is playing a voice over is added on top and it is Hugh Grant describing the airport scene being shown whilst he is speaking. He is also telling the audience why he likes the arrivals gate at the airport and I think that this makes it more personal to the audience as if he is telling them a secret.

Representation of the characters and mise en scene.

In the opening of this scene we are not shown any particular character from the film. However we are shown the people at the airport and from looking at what they are wearing I can see that they are meant to be stereotypical middle  class people. The people in the clip are al wearing everyday clothes which could show that they don't need to dress up to be reunited with the ones that they love. In the voice over Hugh Grant comes across as quite humble which could be what his character in the film is like. The lighting that has been used is high key and helps to emphasise the happy atmosphere that is created through this happy scene at the airport. When the people in the airport are being reunited with their loved ones there is a medium close up i think this has been done so we can see the happy expressions on their faces.

Atmosphere created

When the film opening begins I can tell that the atmosphere is full of love and happiness which I think is what the director wanted. Because the atmosphere is like this it could give the audience an idea of how the rest of the film will be like. It could also encourage them to keep watching to see if this atmosphere remains the same throughout the whole film. Through the voiceover Hugh Grant seems quite humble and down to earth which could foreshadow the personality of his character when the film continues.