Show How Genre and Narrative are established in the opening sequence of “The Bourne Identity” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. You should write about:

· Mise-en-scene

· Character

· Location

· Dialogue

· Special Effects/CGI

Start with The Bourne Identity:

1. Point out that the film fits into three genres: Spy; Thriller; Action Adventure

2. Begin with the Spy Genre – describe what conventions you would find in a Spy Film. (High Tech equipment; a Hero with many highly specialised skills; Secret Government Missions, etc.)

a. Describe the opening scene and then say what clues are in that scene that suggest the film is part of the spy genre.

b. Describe the scene in the CIA headquarters, and then say what clues suggest the film is part of the spy genre.

c. Describe the scene when Bourne leaves the boat and then say what clues suggest the film is part of the spy genre.

3. Go on to the Thriller Genre – describe what conventions you would find in a Thriller. (A series of enigmas or puzzles; a hero who is ‘in the dark´ ; a mysterious enemy or antagonist who is trying to kill the hero.)

a. Describe the opening scene and then say what clues are in that scene that suggest the film is part of the thriller genre.

b. Describe the scene where the ship doctor removes Bourne´s wetsuit and finds the bullet holes and the embedded computer chip with the coded information about the Swiss bank.

c. Describe the scene where Bourne attacks the doctor and then is unable to remember his name.

4. Finish with a description of the Action Adventure film. Describe the

      conventions: As the name suggests, you would expect: Death-defying Stunts;

      a hero with the ability to fight and win against overwhelming odds; chase

scenes or dangerous stunts etc. Point out that there are no actual action/adventure conventions used in the opening sequence, but we do see the hero preparing for his confrontations later.

a. You could talk about how he withstands pain when the bullets are removed

b. The way he attacks the doctor

c. The way we see him keeping physically fit on the fishing boat as he recovers etc

5. Summarise what you have found out about “The Bourne Idenity” and point out that the other film you studied - “Pirates of the Caribbean” - also fits into several generic categories. (Period Drama; Action Adventure; Supernatural Thriller.)

6. Begin with the Period Drama – describe what conventions you would find in a Period Drama. (Period Costumes; period dialogue; period locations, modes of transport/professions etc)

a. Describe the opening scene on the ship and then say what clues are in that scene that suggest the film is a period drama.

b. Describe the scene when the Elizabeth Swann is getting dressed and when she meets Will Turner. How do we know this is a period drama?

c. Describe the scene when Jack Sparrow docks his sinking ‘ship´; then describe the ceremony in the fort.

7. Now go on to show the action adventure elements.

a. Describe Jack Sparrow´s ‘escape´ from the armed sailors.

b. Describe his rescue of Elizabeth.

8. Finally, show how the film could be seen to be a supernatural thriller.

a. Focus on the opening seen with the mysterious parasol; strange boy with the medallion; the ‘ghost ship´ the atmospheric music etc.

b. Describe what happens when Elizabeth falls into the sea and the medallion gets wet.

9. Explain what you have learnt about genre and sub-genre.

10. Reach a conclusion about the two films, summing up how we can ‘read´ a range of clues to help us determine a film´s genre. Point out which three genres “The Bourne Identity” fitted into and which three “The Pirates of the Caribbean´ fits into.

11. Say why you think it is important to learn to study genre.