Opening Scene Analysis: The Holiday

Opening scene analysis of The Holiday

The holiday, directed by Nancy Myers (2006) opens through a bright and colourful setting in which immediately introduces the audience to the genre of romantic with elements of comedy. This is evident through the props and surroundings used within the scenes mise en scene. At 0:27 seconds the scene opens with the non diegetic sound of piano music, accompanied with the characters kissing and dancing, this immediately engages the audience as we begin to wonder 'who are these characters?' (one of the many enigma codes we are introduced to throughout the opening scene).

The camera then zooms out and we see the frame of a computer, therefore the audience are now introduced to the fact that the first scene is of a film in a film. This technique is impressive and engaging as a spectator as it lures the audience into a film and then rapidly the audience then become aware that this is not the film they are watching, however this made me realise that this technique would not be appropriate for a thriller/horror genre which I am considering making. The various enigma codes are solved here as we now know who they are and why they are kissing/dancing. Also here, (0:52) non diegetic music becomes diegetic as we see the protagonist Jack Black physically playing the instrument when the camera pans down.

Later on in the scene, we hear a dominant signifying voice over of a woman's voice that is narrating the story. At this point in the film we don't know who this woman is, however we know she will be involved as she is talking in the 1st person narrative. She begins to talk when the picture of 'universal' is on the screen, then continues to the frame of Jack Black (use of sound bridge). This suggests that women dominate throughout the film.

Titles start coming up on the screen in a very simple serif text and bland white colour which attracts the audience of female teenagers and adults. The titles are subtly placed on the bottom of the screen, predominantly not taking the shine and attention away from what is happening in the film. The titles will engage the audience and encourage them to watch on due to the famous actors and actresses featuring in the film, for example - Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law.