Drama title sequence

 GOOD WILL HUNTING

The movie good will hunting directed by Gus Van Sant starring Mat Damon, Robin Williams and Ben Affleck in 1997 is categorized in the drama genre. Key conventions of a drama include high stakes and multiple conflicts which normally include emotionally driven characters. From this opening scene this isn't clearly presented and someone from an audience or in general might not have been able to categorize this film by only seeing the opening scene. They would probably have to see the rest of the film to be able to categorize it themselves.

We are presented with different sets of characters. Clearly we are able to see a professor type character, a janitor and a group of classmates in what we could say university. Its located in 1 main location as well as a small feature of the house that the janitor character lives in, as shown in the photograph above. Looking at the character positioning, and the relationships of characters, towards the end of the opening scene there has been a shot on the janitor which created a certain emphasis around him. We watch as an audience as 

he looks at the board of equations.This has been directly done to communicate a message. This engages the audience as we start to think or try to imagine why he is looking at this board. This actively makes the audience ask questions  keeping them interested and engaged. I believe that in the future of this narrative this will mean more. But for now I feel that this is presenting this character as engaged and wanting to learn possibly. This is possibly the future. That its about someone who stereotypically wouldn't be smart or interested due to the status that we see him as at the beginning. But slowly through time he becomes the unexpected and beats those stereotypes and associations. 

Looking at the way they have used sound, it has been carefully thought about and positioned purposely. For example the scene starts with a non diegetic instrumental soundtrack that includes the use of piano and violin. This Is effective as it creates a serious yet content atmosphere. It doesn't connote anything bad but communicates an element of possibility for change. Paired with the tracking of both characters leaving the house, gives us a minor implication to what their like personally. it is quite a happy soundtrack so creates an okay atmosphere. And lastly the way the opening scene has been edited has included long shot durations as well as zero transitions except cuts. This is simple and goes along with the narrative within this opening scene. It connotes a sense of calmness and simplicity, which is what the narrative is like. Overall I felt that this wasn't a representation of the drama genre and tended to subvert to the typical conventions of a drama, yet engaged successfully with audiences keeping them entertained.