Binary Oppositions in Openings of Teen Films

Story lines are often based on binary oppositions to cause conflict between characters and groups . These are usually established in the opening of any film as they set up the story line and start to build tension. These oppositions can be found mainly in sound, camera and mise-en-scene. Some example of these are:

 

10 Things I Hate About You 

In the opening 5 minutes of the film, many binary oppositions are made apparent. In mise-en-scene, the first opposition is the contrast between the popular girls and the outcast the popular girls are in a blue convertible, with the top down, brightly clothed and bopping along to upbeat music. This is contrasted by the outcast, who drives next to them. She is in a run down red car, with a stoic facial expression, and wearing all black. This shows conflict between the characters and foreshadows upcoming struggles between them. as the film is set in an American high school, there are different cliques shown in the opening. the audience is introduced to the jocks, coffee kids, white Rastas, cowboys, popular kids and the ivy league nerds. These all contrast each other and helps to showcase tension already established between the cliques. The guidance counselor is a contradiction of herself. She wears light pink clothing and is dressed smartly which normally represents someone as innocent; however when we get a close up of her laptop we see that she is the opposite. 

The use of camera also helps to establish an opposition in characters. In the beginning, a mid-shot is used to show the popular girls as a group, presenting them collectively and signifying that they are to individuals as popular people are normally the same. In the same scene, a mid close-up is used for the main female character to show that she is alone and establish her as the outcast. In the guidance counselor's office, a contrast go high and low angles are used to show who has the power. For the new kid at the school, he is seen using a high angle shot which shows him as inferior where as the guidance counselor is shown using a low angle shot. It shows who is inferior due to age and status.

Romeo + Juliet
In the beginning of this movie, binary oppositions are established through the rivalry of two gangs. This is the first major opposition as the audience is introduced to the Montague and Capulet gangs. Through this, they are presented to be opposites to show their differences. In the mise-en-scene:

Montague	Capulet
Light colours	Dark colours
Weak	Powerful
Yellow convertible	Blue smart car
Peace	War
Casual dress	Smart dress
White American	Latin American
Dog tags	Gold bling
Chubby	Fit
Not groomed	Well groomed

These complete contrasts help to make the rivalry between the two gangs more obvious. It shows that the Montague's are more relaxed and immature whereas the Capulet's are more silent, serious and mature. Their differences are also shown through the use of sound. When the camera is focused on the Montague's, synchronous hip hop music is played to go along with their appearance. This immediately shows a difference in their sense of style which is often the base of conflict in any teen film.

Grease
In the beginning of Grease, a contrast between the gangs, female and males are shown. A major opposition is shown between the two main characters in the cartoon part of the opening. The male character wakes up in a messy room with his hair unkempt, The female character, however, wakes up to a clean room with her hair already done. It creates distance between the characters and foreshadows upcoming conflicts. Conflict between the male and female gangs. The male gang is called the T-birds and they wear leather jackets and style their hair in a typical 70's fashion. The female gang are called the Pink Ladies which is stereotypical for women. Both of these gangs, although have their conflicts, present a the members as having a bad attitude. Both of these oppose the other clique presented in the school; the innocents. These are a group of girls who wear long flowing skirts and appear to be the opposite of the T-birds and the Pink Ladies.

      

The opposition in sound is shown through the accents used by the main characters. The main female characters has an Australian accent and the male main character has an American accent. The beginning scene mainly points out the differences between the main characters; even though they were shown to be in a relationship in the beginning.

Twilight
The settings that are shown in the beginning help to establish binary oppositions. The first place the audience sees is Phoenix, Arizona; very sunny and in the desert. The other setting shown is Forks in Washington; chosen by Stephanie Meyer because it is the rainiest city in the US and has a forest surrounding. The change in scenery suggests problems for the main character as she is moving from one place to another. Sound is also used to assert the idea of contrast between places. In sunny Phoenix, country music is played whereas in Forks only the voice over of the main character (describing the weather and minimalist aspects of the place) is heard. The use of costume and props also helps the audience to recognise the main character as the 'outsider'. She turns up at the school in a worn out truck whereas everyone around her is driving flashy up-to-date cars. She is also wearing a mustard coloured jacket which stands out among the dark colours of the locals. By establishing her as the outsider, it signifies that there will be conflict based around the main character as she doesn't seem to fit in.