The Notebook Opening Scene

The Notebook

Use Of Camera: The scene starts with a establishing shot of a person on a boat in the lake, this sets a sweet romantic tone to the scene and makes the audience relate to it. As it is an establishing shot it shows the setting of the sunset which indicates it is a romance film. The shot then cuts to a long shot of the boat with the main focus on the sunset, the whole frame is tinted red which suggest passion and emotion which are main connotations of the romance genre. The shot creates a peaceful tone and creates a very relaxing picture for the audience. The way the camera is focused on the sun expresses a amorous, nostalgic effect making the audience emphasise with the moment and imagine what the film is going to be about. The shot then cuts to a medium shot following the boat, in the boat the audience can see a figure which looks like a man, creating a mystery and makes the audience wonder who it is. The camera then changes to another medium shot from the side showing the ripples in the water, this shows the pureness and expresses a natural side of love in which this film could focus on. The scene then carry's on until we see a woman looking out the window at the boat, this is the only other character in the scene which could suggest the film is going to be focused on their love.

Sound: The scene starts with non diegetic music which creates a peaceful atmosphere, this is the only sound we hear for the whole scene. This enhances the mood as it makes the audience feel that they are on this calming journey of love as the person rows down the stream. This creates a sense of innocence and the picture that is being painted is really natural and pure. The way non diegetic sound is used is it compliments the rest of the scene nicely as it creates a harmonious effect. The reason the director has used non diegetic sound is to attract the audience and invite into this classic, simple scene. The non diegetic sound also refers to the genre as the naturalistic way the scene has unfolded is a clear indicator of the romance genre.

Narrative: The scene doesn't give the audience much of an idea of what the film could be about, however from the scene the audience can start to question who the person is on the boat. As the boat is following a long stream it could suggest that the film is going to be about a journey following a couple through their whole lives, this gives the audience an understanding of what the film could be about. The way the shot is tinted red could suggest emotion as the colour red connotes passion and love. These two aspects could refer to what the film is going to be about.

Genre: There are many indicators that this is of the romance genre the main one being the sunset which portrays a romantic, passionate aspect of the scene. The setting connotes romance as it uses a sunset which typically is used in romance films. The non diegetic music indicates that it is a romance film as it is calm and peaceful making the audience feel happy and content. The idea of the boat rowing down the lake connotes romance and love and attracts the audience into the film.