Film Project Planning Research - Pretty Woman

While pursuing more research on great romantic comedy films, I decided to include the movie Pretty Woman. The movie follows Edward Lewis, a wealthy business man who hires a Hollywood sex worker, Vivian Ward, to be his date to several social and business events, and despite their initial distaste for one another, they begin to grow fond of each other as the movie progresses. I chose this movie due to its genre, romantic comedy, and because its story line is similar to the plot Marin and I are trying to create. The movie begins with the film production company, Touchstone Pictures, then goes right to blackout, where the screen fades into the first scene of a man doing a magic trick to two women at a upper class social function in the early 1990's in Los Angeles . A man is seen looking for Edward Lewis, who is in his office, avoiding the party while having a civil argument leading to a break up with his girlfriend, Jessica. Within the first two minutes, many shooting and editing techniques are employed, the most prominent begin the sound bridge of dialogue in the beginning followed by a fade in from a blackout. Another editing form integrated into the film is when Edward is seen having a disheartening phone call with his girlfriend during which they break up. During this call, we see Edward speaking on the phone, but we, the audience, can hear Jessica's voice through a voice-over. Other cuts and shots are used to show different places within the time of the party first two minutes of the film. Pretty Woman was a wide success within the box offices, ranking the third-highest grossing film of 1990. Their film achieved the highest number of ticket sales ever for a romantic comedy in the US. Julia Roberts, who was cast as Vivian Ward, received a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. In addition to her acknowledgement, screenwriter J. F. Lawton was nominated for a Writers Guild Award and a BAFTA Award. While continuing my research in the romantic comedy film genre, it is crucial to integrate components from successful films such as Pretty Woman to aid in incorporating certain elements effectively into my own film.