RESEARCH: ANALYSIS OF THE OPENING OF NOWHERE BOY

NOWHERE BOY ANALYSIS

Institutional information about the production companies are shown in the form of their ident, Icon and Film 4 and other information about the UK Film council and the National Lottery is displayed and how they supported the making of the film Nowhere Boy.

The film opens up with an establishing shot of a grand, white, stone building. This gives an impression of grandness. Through this imposing space, a teenage boy runs through unintimidated by the building and is oblivious to everything around him. This shot makes the boy look small compared to the building. The camera follows the boy, while he is running, which is known as a tracking shot. He is laughing, which makes the audience feel that he is overjoyed. However he then falls which leads to a birds eye shot of him sleeping in his bed and being woke up by Aunt Mimi, meaning that it was a dream. From the traditional pajamas worn by John in this frame, this is a period piece set in the 1950s.

In the next scene, we see John and his Uncle George and how they have a close and friendly relationship, unlike his relationship with Aunt Mimi. Uncle George gives John a harmonica and jokes around with him, which develops their close and intimate relationship, which grips the audience's interest.  When John is leaving to go to school, Aunt Mimi orders John to wear his glasses, showing how Aunt Mimi is very strict and controlling over John and that rather advising he should wear them, ordering him to as if he has no other option. By the end of this scene, the audience is already clear of the responsibilities in the family.

Other institutional information is shown, such as the producer's name being mentioned, since he is the person who takes overall responsibility for the planning and the production. The finance is spent by a number of different co-productions like Lip sync productions, Northwest vision and media, Hanway Films and an Ecosse Films production.

After John gets in trouble for his inappropriate behaviour, while outside the office of the principal, he is smirking, showing how he doesn't care and is amused by his action. The song in the background is 'Wild One', which refers to John as being wild due to his actions. As well, the song was released in the 1950s and is traditional rock and roll, which is another sign of the film being a period piece. So far from this opening scene, John is shown as a rebellious and wild teenager, already giving dimensions towards the character.

The director is announced by the words 'A Sam Taylor-Wood film' showing the importance.

In the most prominent title, which is situated in the center of the screen is the title of the film Nowhere Boy appears on the screen.