Pretty Woman is a extremely popular romantic comedy about a man in a legal but hurtful business who needs an escort for some social events, and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets... only to fall in love. It was produced in1990, directed by Garry Marshall and the production company ‘Silver screen partners’. It features some very famous movie stars including Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Pretty Woman made 463.4 million USD in the box office.
As a viewer the first thing we hear is asynchronous sound (sound that is not linked to the visual picture) of voices chatting amongst a crowd. Visually all we see is a black background. Although are not physically shown anything, the scene is established by giving vibes of a party setting through the use of lots of chatting and mellow background music. The background music would be described as relaxed, peaceful and satisfying to the ears, therefore straight away an image of a sophisticated, posh party is represented through the use of sound.
Next, a set of credits appear on the screen stating its presented by ‘Touchstone pictures’. The credit font is bold and easily read; nothing too swirly just kept entirely simple but almost has a modern, fashionable feel to it. The words are written in white on a black background therefore using a method called reverse out ensuring the word pops out from the screen more. All the letters are written in capitals, emphasising the institution, as it’s a very popular, well-known film institution. Touchstone pictures is an American film institution based in California and has also produced films such as Gnomeo and Juliet, The Last Song, Coyote Ugly and Step Up. Therefore, advertising the fact touchstone pictures produce it is a credit to the films reputation and popularity.
As the first visual picture appears we see an extreme close up shot of three people’s hands, sticking to the theme of keeping the setting effectively a secret, but dropping subtle hints of a party. The man in the mid shot is performing a magic trick to two ladies either side of him. This fits the expected stereotype of men trying to impress and woo ladies in a party scenario, it even implies that the man is in power because he has two women flaunting at his side.
Shortly after, we see the camera using a pan movement to fully establish the setting and reveal the types of characters present at the party. The camera slowly follows a character in his movements through the crowd at the party, showing a dozen or so of impeccably dressed, well presented men in fashionable suits and neat, respectable women in expensive looking party outfits. It becomes quite clear the film was set in the early 90’s due to the type of fashion and hairstyles. In addition, we see that it’s a civilized perhaps work related party involving people around the age of 30-40, certainly not a reckless, teenage house party. The location is impressive, clearly an expensive, luxurious house perhaps the boss of the companies. Overall, the scene is set in high key light with a variation of colourful, bright objects and costumes implying good vibes and positivity.
The editor then cross cuts to a different scene, to Edward in his office speaking on the phone. However, the use of sound bridge implies that Edward is also at the party because the same music continues to play at a faded volume. An over the shoulder shot is used when Edward turns to face the window, this is done purposely to make the viewer feel they are stood in the room with Edward, it gives them a better idea of what sort of mood Edward is in as it feels more personal and direct. Included in that scene, as Edward turns to look out of his office window graphic match is used because we see the rest of the party continuing outside of his window, graphic match relates two otherwise disconnected scenes and emphasises the relationship. This also enforces a stereotype of a well off, arrogant boss who hosts a party with all their money yet fails to attend and keeps upstairs working in the office, we receive an unsociably snobby vibe from our first viewing of the character playing Edward.
Edward then begins to walk down the stairs with a guest from the party, the scene is filmed using a two shot but tracking them as they walk. The editor then uses a cross cut so that it cuts to a different angle of them walking this then results in the entrance of another character, Susan. It means that the scene runs very smoothly and it gives the impression that Edward bumps into Susan and then satisfyingly runs into the next piece of dialogue between Susan and Edward.
During the opening, the audience, who are middle class women perhaps aged 15-60, are represented as an active audience meaning that every individual receives a different message and has a different reaction to the opening because we all come from different backgrounds and have different attitudes, values, experiences and ideas. In saying that, a message is set and the purpose of the opening is to create an image of a well off, business orientated man who is well dressed, posh but also sends hints of being a player, arrogant and uncaring.
As a viewer the first thing we hear is asynchronous sound (sound that is not linked to the visual picture) of voices chatting amongst a crowd. Visually all we see is a black background. Although are not physically shown anything, the scene is established by giving vibes of a party setting through the use of lots of chatting and mellow background music. The background music would be described as relaxed, peaceful and satisfying to the ears, therefore straight away an image of a sophisticated, posh party is represented through the use of sound.
Next, a set of credits appear on the screen stating its presented by ‘Touchstone pictures’. The credit font is bold and easily read; nothing too swirly just kept entirely simple but almost has a modern, fashionable feel to it. The words are written in white on a black background therefore using a method called reverse out ensuring the word pops out from the screen more. All the letters are written in capitals, emphasising the institution, as it’s a very popular, well-known film institution. Touchstone pictures is an American film institution based in California and has also produced films such as Gnomeo and Juliet, The Last Song, Coyote Ugly and Step Up. Therefore, advertising the fact touchstone pictures produce it is a credit to the films reputation and popularity.
As the first visual picture appears we see an extreme close up shot of three people’s hands, sticking to the theme of keeping the setting effectively a secret, but dropping subtle hints of a party. The man in the mid shot is performing a magic trick to two ladies either side of him. This fits the expected stereotype of men trying to impress and woo ladies in a party scenario, it even implies that the man is in power because he has two women flaunting at his side.
Shortly after, we see the camera using a pan movement to fully establish the setting and reveal the types of characters present at the party. The camera slowly follows a character in his movements through the crowd at the party, showing a dozen or so of impeccably dressed, well presented men in fashionable suits and neat, respectable women in expensive looking party outfits. It becomes quite clear the film was set in the early 90’s due to the type of fashion and hairstyles. In addition, we see that it’s a civilized perhaps work related party involving people around the age of 30-40, certainly not a reckless, teenage house party. The location is impressive, clearly an expensive, luxurious house perhaps the boss of the companies. Overall, the scene is set in high key light with a variation of colourful, bright objects and costumes implying good vibes and positivity.
The editor then cross cuts to a different scene, to Edward in his office speaking on the phone. However, the use of sound bridge implies that Edward is also at the party because the same music continues to play at a faded volume. An over the shoulder shot is used when Edward turns to face the window, this is done purposely to make the viewer feel they are stood in the room with Edward, it gives them a better idea of what sort of mood Edward is in as it feels more personal and direct. Included in that scene, as Edward turns to look out of his office window graphic match is used because we see the rest of the party continuing outside of his window, graphic match relates two otherwise disconnected scenes and emphasises the relationship. This also enforces a stereotype of a well off, arrogant boss who hosts a party with all their money yet fails to attend and keeps upstairs working in the office, we receive an unsociably snobby vibe from our first viewing of the character playing Edward.
Edward then begins to walk down the stairs with a guest from the party, the scene is filmed using a two shot but tracking them as they walk. The editor then uses a cross cut so that it cuts to a different angle of them walking this then results in the entrance of another character, Susan. It means that the scene runs very smoothly and it gives the impression that Edward bumps into Susan and then satisfyingly runs into the next piece of dialogue between Susan and Edward.
During the opening, the audience, who are middle class women perhaps aged 15-60, are represented as an active audience meaning that every individual receives a different message and has a different reaction to the opening because we all come from different backgrounds and have different attitudes, values, experiences and ideas. In saying that, a message is set and the purpose of the opening is to create an image of a well off, business orientated man who is well dressed, posh but also sends hints of being a player, arrogant and uncaring.