Love Actually

Opening scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3GWzLpkVdg




The opening scene and trailer to Love Actually are very different. The trailer follows typical conventions by being fast paced and using montage editing which grabs the viewers attention. The trailer also announces the big, well known actors that are staring in it by showing a mid-shot of them and having credits underneath as well as saying their name in the voice over. A voice over is another convention of a film trailer which gives the viewers details and an overview of the plot throughout without giving away any major plots.


The opening sequence is very different to the trailer. Unlike the trailer the opening is very slow paced and the slow, quite music creates an atmosphere and sets the tone. The setting is established as well as the main theme of the film and makes the viewer feel curious. Although it is very different than the trailer it includes some of the features however the effect they create is very different. For example a voice over is used in both however the opening scenes one is different as it is the main actors voice (Hugh Grant) who has a distinctive voice so the viewer knows he is going to be one of the main characters. The opening sequence does not reveal the main story line but introduces the theme of the film to the viewer and also shows the credits.