Research into Movies of the Same Genre

Rushmore

Opening Scene

Titles

Family Portrait

Family portrait is set against curtain background beside the company's title, this portrait subtly introduces the main character's family beside the company title. This is the first showing of characters in the movie, right at the start and right with the titles

Curtains

The title sequence is created like the opening to a play at the theatre. The titles are shown on a background that is easily recognisable as curtains. So the titles are done, and the curtains open: signifying the beginning of the movie, and the plot will begin from here

Title

The title of the movie is shown. Cleverly, the movie's title is revealed as a sign on the front of the school. So not only is the title of the movie shown, it is presented as a real object that is present in the movie - the school's sign

Music

"Hardest Geometry Problem in the World" by Mark Mothersbaugh

The music is quite alien for a teen movie, it is very different to what is expected. It is strange because the song, called "The Hardest Geometry Problem in the World" by Mark Mothersbaugh, was created for this opening scene, in order to fit it - yet the tone and sound of the song feels quite out of place.

The music almost transitions when the school sign is shown as if it is a big reveal, and starts to fade out whilst the teacher begins talking until it is no longer present, allowing dialogue to be heard for the first time

The music intensifies and becomes faster as Max begins to work out the equation in front of the class

The music cuts off as he finishes in order to create tension, whilst waiting on the teacher's reaction to Max's working out - to find out if he has got it correct

The teacher finally speaks, saying "You got it" and then the music begins again

Shot Types

The first shot begins at a window and then pans round to reveal a classroom, the viewer is made aware that a school is present so that they know quite quickly that the plot / movie will include students

Shot pans to maths equations, the viewer is able to see that these are educated students just from seeing this visual

Teacher shown

A student speaks, yet the camera doesnt move to him. It instead moves to the tougher equation he was talking about

At the end, switches between shots of the class and shots of where he actually is. this is the big reveal that all this scene has been a dream

Mise En Scene

The use of mise en scene is very important in a teen movie like this as it shows the viewer what they should expect for the rest of the movie, specifcally costume. The teacher wears a waistcoat and glasses - is clearly older than the students. The students on the other hand wear a school's uniform, they all are wearing the same outfit. As well as the costume, the location must be truthful to the events. Therefore, the scene is situated in a classroom to show the educational setting that will be present here and more than likely more in the movie.  

Recurring Character Types

The teacher is unique from the rest of the people in the scene, as mentioned in Mise En Scene. He speaks more confidently, it is very obvious that he is the teacher. He tells the students that they won't have to open a math book ever again, this causes them to excitedly converse about the thought of never having to do work. This is stereotypical and recognisable - that students highly prefer not to do work. Max is clearly supposed to be presented as the respected child, who could be the smartest just from his appearance. The students laugh as he speaks He buttons blazer, makes himself more presentable and the chalk is thrown to him by teacher, clearly some respect

Submarine

Opening Scene

Titles

Companies

Title

This title is a square shape, or a boxed shape

Music

"Stuck on the Puzzle" by Alex Turner

Shot Types

The opening shot is a pan, cut by the pan and then the titles for the movie

This establishing shot reveals the main character in the movie 

Mise En Scene

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Titles

The titles are illustrated in a notebook, making it evident that this film involves notebooks - used by teenage students in school. The viewer is made aware that the film will focus around one or more teenage student.

The mood is set. The viewer knows it isn't going to be a dark movie.

Black writing on a white background makes the titles more defined, the viewer sees what the feel of the movie will be like, from the theme of the titles

Music

The music is fast paced and comedic, after the young boy (the main character 'Greg') sees the clock and begins to rush to get ready for school. It becomes evident that the main character will be unorganised, and this unorganised and rushed morning routine is very stereotypical for a teenage student, which the movie is focused on 

Shot Types

The sudden realisation of the young boy being late is highlighted as the camera zooms on to the clock. This zoom makes it definite, he is late and further enhances the stereotype referenced before. 

Mise En Scene

The main character runs through the house with his shirt around his head, his trousers not fully on him and his bag in his hand. 

Everything is very disorganised and helps to create a scene that reflects the young boy's situation in the morning. 

Recurring Themes and Character Types

The older brother is quite an important part. He is also easily recognisable as the obnoxious older sibling that is above the younger. He taunts Greg and tells him to wake up now that he is late.

Youth in Revolt

Titles

The titles are illustrated in a notebook, making it evident that this film involves notebooks - used by teenage students in school. The viewer is made aware that the film will focus around one or more teenage student 

Music

The music is fast paced and comedic, after the young boy (the main character 'Greg') sees the clock and begins to rush to get ready for school. It becomes evident that the main character will be unorganised, and this unorganised and rushed morning routine is very stereotypical for a teenage student, which the movie is focused on 

Shot Types

The sudden realisation of the young boy being late is highlighted as the camera zooms on to the clock. This zoom makes it definite, he is late and further enhances the stereotype referenced before. 

Mise En Scene

The main character runs through the house with his shirt around his head, his trousers not fully on him and his bag in his hand. Everything is very disorganised and helps to create a scene that reflects the young boy's situation in the morning. 

Recurring Themes and Character Types

The older brother is quite an important part. He is also easily recognisable as the obnoxious older sibling that is above the younger. He taunts Greg and tells him to wake up now that he is late.