Research - 9 Frame Opening Analysis - It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

1. We hear a voice that states "It starts on a bridge." This instantly grabs our attention with many enigmas - What starts on a bridge? Who is saying this? Is it a specific bridge we know? etc. There is a low, eerie music soundtrack that is playing throughout, giving it a slightly 'out of this world' feel.

2. We are then introduced to the character, Craig, who is riding his bike along what we assume is the bridge that was just mentioned. This is done by the camera facing upwards, while tracking along behind Craig; it then slowly tilts down to reveal the character. He is wearing a big coat and a hat, which shows us that it is most likely in the winter as he is cold. The music suddenly stops as Craig's sister calls his name and there is a cut to reveal his family at the side of the bridge and dialogue continues - they are also dressed for the cold weather.

3. After some black comedy (in which Craig's parents seem to be more worried about his bike than his safety), Craig falls off the bridge. Just before we think he is going to hit the water and die, the film freezes on this frame while Craig's voice-over explains that he is dreaming it all... However, it seems more real than normal.

4. The film then fades to black and the title fades in - the titles are very simple to keep the audiences attention directed at the main story line, rather than artistic use of titles. This means there is a very little amount of opening credits, only the title of the film. There is no music playing during this, only the sound of the wind from the bridge to keep us routed to the story. If there were a number of special effects or lots of other pieces of video footage being shown during the titles, it would distract us from the simplistic, serious story-line.

5. Craig rides his bike to a hospital and there is a slow bass guitar lick that is played a few times - giving the scene a curious feel to it and filling our heads with more enigmas... What is he doing about his dreams? Is it something serious? Is it the first time he has gone to the hospital for something like this? etc.

6. The is a sharp cut to the 'Sunday' message - showing us the time in relation to the story (this is repeated throughout the film with the other days of the week). Again, the titles are basic to keep the audience concentrating on the story line rather than the artistic style of editing.

7. There is another little part of comedy in which Craig states that he wants to kill himself (introducing us into the main body of the story), then the receptionist remains calm and gives him a form to fill out... A little too calm if you ask me. We know she is definitely a receptionist due to her costume being a uniform of sorts while she is sat behind the reception desk, so Craig is talking to the correct person to help him out. This makes the scene comical, as she reacts in a way that most of us wouldn't expect (including Craig).

8. There is a high angle shot that shows Craig sitting with no-one around him - reflecting his feelings of being isolated and alone. There is no music playing, however sounds you will typically hear in a hospital are heard (e.g. phones ringing, people chatting quietly/in the distance, etc.).

9. There is a shot-reverse-shot used as Bobby sits next to Craig and talks to him. At first his costume makes it seem that he is a doctor or male nurse, but his body language and dialogue contradicts this. There are some comical moments in the dialogue, and we start to get to know both Craig and Bobby's characters a little more. We are also kept entertained by the comical moments, so we get a bit more information about the characters, and our attention is still on the film.