An abstraction is the overview of a phenomenon, as could be described as a brief summary of content. In essay writing this can be linked to setting the mindset/ idea of what your reader is going to consume subsequently, and works as an 'introduction' for the rest of the following information.
Within this abstraction the overview should remain direct and relate clearly and concisely to the main points that will continue. It is promoted that an abstraction should be a few sentences long and should remain summarised.
To illustrate how this can be done with larger bodies of information, the class undertook an activity in which each of 6 groups summarised a 20 second film snippet in to one sentence. These were then all pulled together to sum-up a 2 minute clip in to 6 short sentences. The film used was 'Withnail and I' (1987) and it was easy to recognise how detail could still be included even when just giving a general abstraction.
To further demonstrate this we watched a scene from the 1942 film 'Casablanca'. In this short section of film the audience is fully informed of characters, possible storylines and of past histories giving context to the future character developments. The conversations between just two characters (Rick and the Policeman) ask and answer all the right questions the audience may have; with intrigue being consequently created by including just enough relevant detail to the upcoming story. This narrative is an example of a strong opening.
In contrast to this is the weak commencing of the 2003 film 'The Room'. The information given in this short clipping has no relevance to the rest of the film and seems random and disjointed. This inconsequential scene has drawn out scenes with no evident meaning in the present let alone as a reflection of the future film progression. Cliches too further disvalue this abstraction.
My first thought of another film which used the opening establishing shot to foreshadow furure information is the the opening scenes of the 2009 film 'Zombieland'. In which the 'rules' which will be tested and justified throughout the film are first mentioned. In doing this clips of the upcoming film are also showed in which creates an interest in to carry on watching.
The main character is also distinguished as the narrator, an intense graphic content sets the tone for the gore and violence to be expected, and the rules put in place give a history to how the main character has come to these conclusions. All that are needed in an effective abstraction.
Similarly the character introduction and history given here intrigues the views to watch more; especially with the cryptic phrase concluding the sequence. "This is not a love story' sets a contrasting tone to what is presumed.
Similarly in Easy A, a starting abstraction is used. The brief round up of events that will follow leave the audience to continue watching in order to answer the questions the opening has caused.
