Romance genre: The Holiday

In the opening scene to the holiday, we have the titles which are associated with film, so we are shown that the institution of the film is Columbia, and also tells the audience where the film was produced. We see a couple which could also look like a married couple on there honeymoon. this straightaway fits to a convention of a romance film as there is typical couple shown as being intimate, and affectionate towards each other. we also ear a voice over which introduces the film and is one of the main features of conventions of a romance film which will able the audience to identify what the film is about. So the protagonist is the voice-over, and she is talking about different types of love, and they are complimented with different shots shown that type of love being applied. So as she talks on about the types of love, and the camera slowly reveals the protagonist and talks bout the type of love that she is currently in. We are then shown business party and shows from her perspective who she likes and she tells the audience, so it looks like the protagonist is having a conversation with audience. This all links to the conventions of a romance film because it talks about the protagonist having unrequited love, which makes the audience feel more sympathetic for her and makes her seem more innocent, which will then draw attention towards her which will show how she faces it on an everyday basis.

Sound is important within a romance film as it helps to create mood and an atmosphere within this genre. Non diegetic sound has been used at the beginning when we hear a slow paced violin and piano playing at the same time at a steady pace. So as the opening scene begins with married couple dancing and being affectionate towards each other, so as we enter the non-diegetic so the violin and piano starts to build as the couple get more intimate and so as it comes to where the non-diegetic sound is coming from which shown by a man playing it on a piano, and what looks like that he is composing a piece to fit that scene. So the non diegetic sound changes to diegetic sound, making it more realistic for the audience and allows them to be involved. As the non-diegetic sound is still playing it quieten down and the audience start to hear a voice-over which may also sounds like protagonist be introduced. The voice over is talking about the different types of love, and alongside the non-diegetic sound becomes louder so the violin becomes more high pitched, which then the voice over has a small pause to introduce the title of the film in the opening scene. So as the voice over returns and as she is talking, the audiences are shown a variety of clips which compliments what she is trying to say, so representing the types of love. As the non-diegetic sound is still playing and the voice over then introduce the protagonist, as she starts to refer to herself as she explains the types of love she is in, which is unrequited love. The voice-over also seems as if its directly talking to the audience about her problems, which makes them more involved. Diegetic sound begins to come in as we hear the sound of the taxi/car driving through the streets, which also shows the location of a Christmas setting. We also start to crowds of people during a office party which the protagonist leads the audience into. The voice over starts to introduce another character which could also be a protagonist, and also introduce her lover. The voice over which has been identified as the protagonist emphasizes her love and how much she has gone through for the past three years, which makes the audience seem sorry for her, it also shows the protagonist innocence through her word, symbolising that she is seeking for help from the audience.

The opening begins with camera blurred or out focus of the setting of trees, this is effective because it creates a more relaxed with the colours being represented which compliment the shot, so the trees; leaves being green, represents neutral and calming atmosphere. Close ups have been used show the characters expressions, in this case we are shown a couple kissing, and the close ups shows there intimacy. The camera slowly starts to zooms out to show the audience that this piece is being composed by someone and we are shown another possible character. Close ups have been used to show the characters facial expressions, so we are shown the man behind the desk, shows his facial expression as he is looking at someone, the camera starts to move to show the women, and this is shown from the man perspective, and as the women walks towards the desk, and we are shown a medium shot of her walking towards the desk, showing a flirty approach, as the man kisses the women's hand, but the women doesn't seem as eager back and pulls her hand slowly and walks away. we also see close ups of the man in car as it looks like he has lost interest in her, as we are shown through his body language as hes more layed back and more of straight face. Establishing shots  is used of the setting, so we are shown a establishing shot of a city with Christmas lights we also see the introduction to the protagonist which is shown through a shot of a office, and we are shown an office party or gathering showing a crowd of people, this establishes where the narrative is going to take place. A tracking shot follows the action of the protagonist moving around very quickly to try and get attention from the man he loves to reveal to the audience her desperation to get attention form the person she loves, and so a number of medium shots are shown of bother her and the man, and show that the man could also be a protagonist of this film as well. This engages them because it allow the audience to follow her and what she does to try and get his attention.

The main characters are introduced in the opening scene when the voice over is the protagonist talking about the different types of love and the scenes which compliment, also the way the protagonist is introduced through the voice and the camera angles reveals her from behind. We see the introduction of the protagonist as the camera uses tracking shots to follow her movements and the reason behind it, showing her desperation and voice over also determins that she is the protagonist. It as well the audience recognises that they are the main characters through the use of the dialogue/camera shots/events that they are involved in.

Enigma codes are used to tease the audience and engage them in the narrative so they carry on watching the film. Certain enigmas are included in the opening such as puzzles about the reasons behind what she she does to grab attention from the man and the audience would want to know his reaction towards all this. Also the voice over also seems as if its the protagonist talking, but leaves an enigma for the audience to find out who is actually talking as the audience isn't shown an image of the protagonist or the voice-over.

Noticeable clichés are used in the opening scene such as the non-diegetic sound  of the violin and piano at a steady pace and starts to build, we see a typical couple at the beginning kissing and being affectionate and intimate towards each other  this engages the audience as they recognize. There is an aspect in which involves a man and women, putting them as the main protagonist these features and can predict what is going to happen in the narrative.