Submarine Analysis

We decided to analyse opening sequences of the coming-of-age genre and of an Indie style to find out the conventions of the genre and opening sequences, which we will later apply to our opening sequence.

ABOUT: Submarine is a British indie comedy/drama about teenager Oliver Tate. It focuses on two aspects of his life; his love life, with the independent and feisty Jordana, and his turbulent family life, in which disagreements between his parents affect him deeply.

GENRE CONVENTIONS:

Themes explored in this film include adolescence, ‘first times’ school life, relationships, love, family and friendship.

The protagonist, Oliver Tate both follows conventions of teenage characters and breaks them. For example, he often feels isolated and uncomfortable in the school environment and is eager to pursue a relationship with Jordana, but also seems to be quite intellectual and clever.

OPENING SEQUENCE ANALYSIS:

Camera (shot type, angle, camera movement)

-          Almost 360 degree pan around Oliver’s bedroom to show it as a typical teenager’s room- long shot duration

-          Awkwardly framed CU of Oliver with slight angle- personal space/invasion of privacy coincides with entering his bedroom first.

-          VLS/LS of exterior setting- streets/beach at dawn.

Sound (sound effects, music, dialogue)

-          Starts with silence- draws your attention to the tranquility and ‘emptiness’ of the bedroom

-          Sound effects of birds chirping- signifier of early morning which works with the visuals of dawn.

-          Voiceover by protagonist Oliver Tate gives an introduction to the character as a deep thinker/analyst- ‘Most people think of themselves as individuals, that there is no one on the planet like them. This thought motivates them to get out of bed, eat food and walk around like nothing’s wrong. My name is Oliver Tate.’

-          Soft piano music with male singer (Alex Turner- Stuck on the Puzzle). Emphasis on calmness, again works with visuals of coastline.

Editing (shot length, transitions)

-          First shot is very long, but cut up by institutional information appearing on the screen. Build up to the climax that is the introduction of the main character

-          Cuts used and edited so that they fit with the rhythm and timing of the backing track

Mise-en-scene (colour, lighting, costumes, setting, props, body language)

-          Bedroom setting is quite dimly lit with lamps and artificial lighting around the room; seems natural and homely.

-          Due to the low key lighting, the colour is therefore quite dull and grey

-          Props in the bedroom include a blue bed, book shelves, a chest of drawers and photographs on the walls, all of which are signifiers of a teenage/young occupant

-          The skeleton and telescope create a contrast to the above and add depth to the character by suggesting he is interested in sciences and perhaps not the stereotypical, lazy teenager who detests work.

-          The beach/sea setting suggests calmness and tranquility, and sets the mood for the film as quite light-hearted.

Institutional information that appears in the opening (convention)

FILM 4 LOGO/SEQUENCE

UK FILM COUNCIL LOGO/SEQUENCE

(This is in white block capitals on a blue background and appears before the character introduction)

Film 4 and the UK film council present…

In association with the Wales Creative IP Fund and The Film Agency Wales…

In association with Optimum Releasing and Protagonist Pictures…

In association with Red Hour Films…

A Warp Films Production

By Sharlene Gandhi