Generic Conventions

Juno – At the beginning of the film the time of year is the first thing to come up and then it fades into the film. We see the main character 20 seconds into the film. From the beginning you find out that the main character is also the sort of narrator of the film. We see another character 1 minute into the film, with the main character. Then goes into the opening credits, where the film then goes into a cartoon style. In the opening credits there is music playing - All I Want is You sung by Barry Louis Polisar; also the main character is being tracked throughout this part, also there is use of OTH shot, pan, close up and high angle shot.

Closer – Music starts straight away and the name of the film then fades into the film. First main character seen 38 seconds into the film and second main character seen 46 seconds into the film – both are walking down opposite side over a road towards each other. Both characters are surrounded by people (in London) but they are the first people you see. When they make eye contact it looks as if they know each other but they don’t. Girl main character gets hit by a car and guy runs to her aid.

Love Actually – Starts at an airport, everyone there meeting their friends and family, whilst a narrator speaks (one of the main characters). Shows lots of shots of people hugging, greeting, and kissing. Then the shot changes to another of the main characters in a recording studio (1 minute 20). Pan, close-up, high – angle shot, shot of the other characters in the scene. High-angle shots and long shots of London and then into another main characters house. Credits throughout.

Mean Girls – Credits on a black screen for 15 seconds and fades into film. Starts with close ups of two people (parents of main character) then main character comes into shot (close up) and then into long shot. All talking to each other and then main character narrates. Flashes of things she’s talking about (stereotype home schooled children) then to photos of her family in Africa. Then to main character surrounded by people at high school, POV shots of what she can see and close ups of her face to show how she’s feeling. This cuts to her walking into a classroom and there’s an over the shoulder shot of her and 180° rule.

Because I Said So – music straight away, and goes into short clips (old fashioned clips – black and white and sepia) of mothers and daughters (matches music). Then wipes across to film, first shot of a wedding cake, and then to main characters (mother and daughter) and their family, eldest sister is getting married. They have photos taken and one of the main characters talk. Photos are taken and shown. Both main characters talk to each other OTS whilst switching between them talking and two other characters. Then wipes to another wedding cake (other sisters wedding)