The world ending can be funny

To gain inspiration for my opening scene I researched films in the same genre I was going for. To start out my film is a blend of science fiction and coming of age and will follow a teenage girl. The premise of my film is a rogue planet is making its way towards Earth causing mass panic as people try to live the last few months of their lives, interestingly the protagonist doesn't care and continues to live life normally. 

When I researched film openings, I first started by searching for movies where the world is ending/almost ended. 

Love and Monsters (2020)

 Although the premise did not match exactly, the genres were similar, and the main characters were close in age to my film.

The opening of this movie was visually interesting and made me want to continue watching, which is something I want to bring to my film opening. Love and Monsters opens with a backstory, and the main character recounts in a voiceover how the world almost ended because of an asteroid, and how it caused monsters to be created. Animation, news footage, and quick cuts were utilized to show the story engagingly. Although I do not plan on using animation, the lighthearted and almost comedic tone the main character was using was definitely something I can incorporate, as it provides a balance of comedy and drama to make the world ending more lighthearted and show how the main character is indifferent to it. 

Melancholia (2011)

The opening of this film is a stylized montage showing scenes from the end of the world set to music. The pace is slow, and the atmosphere is dreamlike. Since there is no dialogue, it leaves the scenes up to the viewers' interpretation. 

The surreal images shown in the opening scene are meant to foreshadow the depression of the main character. The film doesn't have a traditional exposition like many sci-fi movies do, instead it immerses the audiences straight into the feeling of the film. I like this idea, and while I'm not taking an artistic approach, I also plan on taking an unconventional route. The music in the scene is used to set the tone. It is slow, eerie, and almost haunting. I also plan on using mostly music for most of my film opening. 

10 things I hate about you (1999)

While this film doesn't have the sci-fi element I'm incorporating in mine, the protagonist "Kat Stratford" was a big inspiration when I was writing my protagonist. The opening uses a blend of music and voiceover to introduce the viewers to the main characters rebellious nature and disdain for societal norms. 

The light-hearted yet sarcastic tone blends romance and comedy, foreshadowing future conflicts and character growth, all while incorporating contemporary cultural references that resonate with the audience. Overall, the opening effectively lays the groundwork for the film's exploration of rebellion and conformity in teenage life. which are themes I want to incorporate in my opening.

Sources:

Love & Monster's | Opening Scene

Melancholia (2011) - Opening [HD]

Bad Reputation in 10 Things - Kat intro scene