Split Screen

We initially decided that we wanted to incorporate split-screens into our opening sequence because it would really emphasise the contrasting characteristics in Lauren and Scarlett. I researched films of our genre that used split screens effectively, and tried to find some inspiration for our group.

Although it wasn't particularly relevant to our morning sequence idea, the phone scene in Mean Girls uses four-way split screening to show all the girls in their own homes. It allows us to see them all constantly and usefully enables us to see their individual reactions to what goes on.

In my research, I also came across a film called The Rules of Attraction, a British Film made in 2002, rated 18, Although it is considered a dramatic rom-com, the IMDb film synopsis described it as a film about a love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate - making it a lot grittier than our girly chick flick. However, different as it may be, the opening sequence uses a constant split screen to introduce and highlight the differences in what could be two potential protagonists.

When choosing which shots we wanted to split-screen, we thought about what we wanted to contrast, and what would look good as a shot. We also wanted to split-screen with varying shot types.
We decided on using six:

• Shot 3 ECU- Alarm Clock/Mobile Phone
• Shot 14 MCU- Hairdrying
• Shot 17 CU/MS - Pulling up skirts
• Shot 21 CU- Applying Mascara
• Shot 23 ECU - Applying Lipstick
• Shot 25 CU - Opening Drawer