Technique: Lighting/Colour

The colours used in the opening to Nowhere Boy have rather a yellow washed look about them. It seems dreamy and has a vintage-esque feel. This shows us a definite setting, it makes us feel nostalgic and warm, and therefore we realise this film must be set in the past. As the scene is morning, the lighting also is of the same nature, it has a relaxed feel and sets us up for what we believe will be a nice morning and ultimately, a nice movie. We are introduced to what we think as a good life for John as warm colors reflect a warm atmosphere of family and friends.

Throughout the film the colour of the filter is shown to change our emotions. The over all mood of the film is generally quite lighthearted, but as it is autobiographical the mood goes from highs to lows quite quickly. One moment you are laughing and the next you're in tears. This scene is positive and lighthearted, and therefore has a yellow wash which makes us feel nostalgic this is much the same as the effect 'sepia' does. It has a warming feeling and is usually something we associate with 'better times'. Later, in a more upsetting scene, The wash is a grey/blue tone. This plays with our emotions; the scene feels cold, and so do we.(See photos). The film is set between the years 1955 and 1960 so the colour of the filter puts us back into that time frame. For the most part, photos we see of the late 50's look worn and sun damaged. The camera angles are mostly at eye-level and this fact ads to this 50s photographic idea, Although the movie was filmed in the year 2009 it's almost as if the film was made back in 1955 and has since been colourised to give a more realistic feel to the film. This sense of warmth at the beginning could also have been used as a false sense of security as the same day that this happens, John's uncle, Uncle George dies suddenly as result of a liver hemorrhage. The weather seeming warm and the lighting being of golden tones  has set us as viewers up for positivity and this event surprises us, which is what the director intended.

   Opening: Positive scene; Shows yellow wash.   

                                Later in the film: Sad scene; Shows a blue wash.

Generally, people associate nice weather with a "good day", and the director has certainly played on such emotions. The sun is out, the scene feels warm, and viewers read this as "this movie will be upbeat". The viewer feels they can emotionally attach to the scene as they believe nothing bad is about to happen. This further accentuates the surprise and sadness we feel when Uncle George passes. After only 5 minutes of the film, we already feel a connection to John, as we weren't prepared for the death of a character either. (The scene in which Uncle George collapses has much the same yellow colouration, and both John and George are laughing; the scene is happy and carefree. We never lose a sense of comfort until Aunt Mimi comes home to deliver the bad news)

Technique: Dialogue

Dialogue is used wisely in the opening of Nowhere Boy to introduce character, and diminish status between the characters. The first line of dialogue we hear is Aunt Mimi speaking sternly at John saying "Do I ignore you? No. So please don't ignore me. I've called you twice". This shows Aunt Mimi's no-nonsense manner and also her old-fashioned outlook that teenagers should not be spoken to as equals. This is made obvious by the tone of voice she uses, it's as if Mimi believes that John could not get along in life if she wasn't there to guide him. Another crucial moment of dialogue is whilst John is in the principals office, being punished. The principal tells him; "At this rate, You'll be lucky to find a job on the docks, because at the moment you're going nowhere... here at Quarry Bank, generally, nowhere." To which John replies; "Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there." this shows us John's disparagement for authority, and further emphasizes the idea that Aunt Mimi has a serious control over him. 

The stern delivery of the first line in the scene not only shows us character but helps us jump back to reality after a dream sequence. We realise that John's life isn't full of touring and fans (yet), but he is in fact a normal 15 year old. It sets the scene, and holds the viewer as this is a section of John's life previously unexplored. The line also shows us Aunt Mimi's character which carries on as a focus for the film. Her disciplinary attitude and this stern angle on parenting carries on through much of the film. Symbolism also may have been used as Aunt Mimi interrupts John's dream and later on in the film, Mimi sells John's guitar as punishment for skipping school.Ultimately this could have ruined John's musical dream (as he says in the film,)'to be like Elvis'. The last dialogue we hear in the opening scene accentuates John's disrespect towards the elder people around him. John believes he should be spoken to as an equal, and if he isn't he believes he has the right to speak to them the same way. This also shows his quick wit, as there is no pause for thought. Implying he is a genius ( "Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there.") accentuates his self confident manner, his delivery and cockiness makes us believe him. 

10 years later a song was released by The Beatles, entitled "Nowhere Man" (1965, Rubber Soul). Whether the conversation above is completely fictional or otherwise, this is an obvious link the director was trying to achieve. The lyrics to "Nowhere Man" imply there is no place for this person in the world, yet as the lyrics say, "isn't he a bit like you and me".  Much like this moment in the scene, we feel we can relate to the comment the Principal is making to John and this might be a nod to the idea not everyone will appreciate your actions/attitude/etc.The song's lyrics imply that no one is above anyone else; that we are all on the same level, Much the same as this moment of dialogue. As viewers watching the film we relate to John, we see ourselves in him because, as the song implies we are all 'Nowhere Men'.

Technique: Music

Music is an important technique used in the film as it creates a positive atmosphere to start the movie off. The lyrics say "I'm gonna keep a movin' baby/ Don't you cramp my style/ I'm a real wild child", Introducing us to the carefree attitude John has towards life. His life seems very fast paced, he knows what he wants and how to get it, and the lyrics of the song reflect this idea. The music also begins at an interesting point. The song begins as Aunt Mimi walks into the room after John and George have been joking around with a sour look on her face. This, perhaps, shows irony. Aunt Mimi is very stubborn and uptight, in no way a 'wild child' and even has a distaste to this side of John.

The placement of the musics beginning positions the viewer to dislike Mimi, to want her to lighten up and to believe that John is not only the character you want to be friends with, but also the victim of his situation. (It is not until the end we find that Mimi actually saved John from being taken away by his estranged father, and so, the viewer believes that she isn't so bad after all.) This is an important aspect as the relationship John and Mimi share is a main and important focus for the film. More obviously, the lyrics introduce the character of John well. "I am real real cool" is the second line of the song, reflecting John's cocky attitude he had as a teen. Not only do we find that John has many friends, but we learn that everyone seems to like him (except for the 'Mods' in his town). John becomes more 'wild' in the film as he starts his band, and music becomes more important to him than anything else.

This creation of character through the music seems to be the opposite of the Lennon we know famously. As he is younger the song shows an element of innocence. Much different to the intelligent, highly respected artist we view John as today. The character in the film seems to be an extreme of what John was like when he was famous, showing that not only during the film but also beyond the span of the film John matured as a person.

Genre / Atmosphere

The film Nowhere Boy begins with an establishing shot of a building with dramatic pillars, And we see John running up the stairs away from, what we guess, is a mob of screaming female fans. The screams get louder, and more exciteable as the girls get nearer, Yet we still haven't actually seen them. John trips, and suddnley we are brought back to reality with a high shot of John in bed (See photo) as his stubborn Aunt Mimi wakes him for the morning; "Do I ignore you? No. So please don't ignore me. I've called you twice".  This introduces right from the beginning Lennon's longing to be famous. It also shows us the strong nature of Mimi, and her 'tough love' attitude she has towards John. Her uptight nature and the control she believes she has over John is one of the main focuses for the film.
The dream sequence also put us in a time setting, The movie is Autobiographical and based on someone so widely known. John Lennon is such a famous figure we need to be positioned to know at what stage of his life the film is beginning. The idea of screaming fans chasing Lennon is not an unexpected one. However, the viewer does not expect to be awoken to find this to be simply a dream. As a result, the viewer is interested right from the beginning.

The scene cuts to John, out of bed and at the breakfast table. His Uncle George joins him, making playful "Ooh" noises. He places something on the table and a close-up shot reveals a Harmonica. John smiles, and looking excited reaches to grab it. Uncle George says "Yeah, Very expensive!"
"Really?"
"No!"They both laugh and George tells John;
"First lesson. Front room. Eight o'clock tonight, Don't be late!" John embraces George and gives him a hug (See photo). This shows the viewer that not only is John passionate about music, but it also shows the contrast between the relationship of George and John, and Mimi and John. When John is with George the scene feels very light hearted, as if nothing is worth taking seriously. This is because the two characters treat each other as equals, and have a very close relationship. Whilst the relationship between Mimi and John feels tense, and serious. We as viewers get the feeling that Mimi has control over John, and so he acts differently in her company. This contrast is proven as Mimi walks into join at the breakfast table and both George and John sit up straight, and stop joking around.

"Wild One" by Jerry Lee Lewis begins to play (and continues for the duartion of the opening.). This backs up the "wild" nature of John. The song is upbeat and fast, giving the opening scene an upbeat and positive feel too. The lyrics state "I am real cool/ I got the jump I got the jive/ Got the message I'm alive/ I'm a wild one/ I'm a wild one" these lyrics, perhaps, show the attitude John has of himself. His high self confidence is reflected not only throughout the opening, but the whole film. His cocky yet charming attitude is reflected in the lyrics of this song.
As John is leaving for school we see Mimi tap on the window and say "Glasses, John.". John straight away does as he's told, taking his glasses out of his coat pocket and putting them on while his friend Pete blatantly mimicks Mimi saying "Glasses John!". This shows further that Aunt Mimi seems to have ties on John. While he is playful and relaxed with others, and in this case his friend, he seems to be much the opposite when she is around. As they begin to bike to school John slows down to a friend (Jimmy Tarbuck) saying;
"Hey, Tarbuck! Keep out of the chippie yah fat bastard!"
"Lennon you prick!"
Pete then replies; "He thinks he's hard, yah know?"
"He couldn't batter a fish!" (See photo)This line of dialogue not only emphasizes the light-hearted nature of the scene but also shows us further that John is well liked between his pairs. The line "He could'nt batter a fish" also gives us a sense of setting, both time and place. Obvious puns such as that aren't usual in every day conversation nowadays, but was just a usual aspect of conversation in England in the 1950's.

A mid shot of some girls in school uniform (See photo) as we hear John;
"Marie! My angel face, Show us your jugs?"
"Cock off Lennon! Or... Cock out?"
As the girls begin to giggle, John exposes himself. The girls keep laughing and walk away into the school grounds.

The scene cuts quickly with a close up of John outside what seems to be the Principals office. He is smiling(See photo), knowing that he is there for the inappropriate nature of his offense. We hear someone being strapped from inside the office. The door opens and John stands up straight and enters. Lighting is used to make the viewer believe that perhaps, John shouldn't be so comfortable, this part of the scene is very dark. When we hear someone being strapped, we know for sure that John will be in trouble, yet the look on his face implies he is unfazed by the whole situation.
"At this rate, You'll be lucky to find a job on the docks, because at the moment you're going nowhere... here at Quarry Bank, generally, nowhere."
"Is "Nowhere" full of geniuses, sir? Because then I probably do belong there."
This line not only emphasizes John's disregard for rules and control, but becomes more effective as it is the last line of dialogue from the opening scene. The fact he ignores the principals status goes to further emphasize his strange attitude and relationship with his Aunt Mimi as she is the only one he seems to listen to upon instruction (eg, "Glasses John" he acted upon this straight away.).

The opening ends with a tracking shot of trees as the title "NOWHERE BOY" shows (See photo). The camera pans across to show John sitting on the roof of a bus, looking as if he is deep in thought. The music ("Wild One" by Jerry Lee Lewis) comes to an end, and so does the opening.

Link to Opening of Nowhere Boy:

The link to watch the opening is here.
It begins at about 0:30 and finishes at about 2:59

Reason for Selection

I have chosen to do the opening sequence of the film Nowhere Boy. The film follows the teenage life of John Lennon, and the beginning of The Beatles. (Years 1955-1960).
The opening of the film shows what would seem to be an average morning for Lennon. Starting with a dream sequence of John running away from screaming fans, the dream is abruptly interrupted when his Aunt Mimi instructs him to get up out of bed. At the dinner table, we meet Johns uncle who tells him they will soon begin harmonica lessons, this is the first chance we get to see his appreciation and passion for music. While he bikes to school we see the city he lives in and once he arrives to school we see his interaction with his friends and girls. After a sly comment, John exposes himself inappropriately and gets himself a trip to the Principals office. The last shot is John sitting on the roof of a bus.
The opening introduces the film well as it shows many aspects that carry on the whole way through, such as John's keenness for music, and his disobeyment for authority. We also see the interactions between John and his Aunt Mimi, which is one of the main focuses for the film.
The opening to Nowhere Boy gives me a lot to write about. It has many components such as a dream sequence, music and dialogue. It also shows character and setting (Time and Location) very well. I also believe the opening (and the whole film) are visually interesting because of the costume and the locations.