Film Opening Research #1 - Sixteen Candles

 How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences of the film? 

There are about 22 titles displayed during the opening sequences of the 1984 film "Sixteen Candles." The titles include the name of the film, the leading actors and actresses, and the members of the crew (such as producers, casting, and music directors). 

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

The opening sequence shows images of the school in which is a primary setting for the film. They also show students who attend the school: getting off the bus, walking through the campus, opening lockers. More specifically, they show students who are couples and are in relationships, showing affection as they walk together -- including the iconic hand in the back pocket. 

What connotations do the images carry? 

The images carry both positive and negative connotations. The environment in the opening sequences is filled with lovestruck teenagers -- which to them, being together is positive. However, to others, especially the female lead Samantha whose family has forgotten her birthday, this would make her feel even more alone.  

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

The genre of this film is romance. Symbolically, this film reinforces the genre by including features associated with romance and love. This includes lots of hearts and couples cuddling close together. Technically, the camera angles and music also highlights the theme of love and the life of high school students. The film enhances themes such as young love, obsessive love, and even some unrequited love -- all pivotal features of the romance genre. 

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset? 

The film establishes an enigma from the outset by highlighting the neglect that Samantha, the main character, feels at the beginning of the film. She has just learned that her parents forgot her sixteenth birthday, she is hopelessly in love with someone who barely knows she exists, and is surrounded by people with relationships and who feel love. This environment creates an enigma of Samantha's feelings of neglect and loneliness.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

Sixteen Candles is certainly a film for young adults, it's a coming of age film. Just in the opening scene, it was clear that this was the target audience. It outlined a typical high school at the time of its making. The costumes, hair, and makeup of the characters matched the period of the '80s. Additionally, their movements and actions were similar to the teenage population at the time, showing how they interacted and moved throughout their school. The creators of the film wanted their target audience, teenagers, to be able to relate to the setting, the characters, and their feelings in the film. 

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions, and editing techniques. 

The opening sequence uses an establishing shot of the school to start off and then consists of different boom shots, two shots, and some chocker shots. An interesting aspect of the opening sequence is that the camera angles rarely show the faces of the students that they are filming -- especially the ones paired as a couple. Moreover, the camera transitions quite quickly as it moves back and forth to different students. These techniques were likely used to enhance the liveliness and energy of the setting as it affects the characters, specifically Samantha whose energy does not match that of the others.