Opening Scenes

Below are three opening scenes I have studied and made concise notes on. I was particularly interested in the way shots,sound & editing were utilised in order to create a specific effect upon the audience. In our group we tried to pick different openings so we would end up with a bunch of interesting ideas we can use in our own opening. The results were great, hopefully you will be able to spot a few ideas in our final production.

Film title - Se7en

Use of close-ups/extreme close ups to create a sense of mystery, confusion, isolation and gives off a feeling of claustrophobia – an enigma code is created.

extreme close up

Titles appear as if scratched on the film – we see a range of actors names, production credits, director etc. throughout the sequence.

Music is reflective of the images – industrial, heavy and unsettling. We hear a scraping noise similar to scratching a tape which sounds almost like a scream for help.  The non-diegetic sound of the thunder has many connotations, for example fear.

Mise-en-scene is dark and grimy – use of shadows.  The whole atmosphere of the film is established in the opening even though we see very little in terms of character detail.

Film title - Saw 1


I am unable to attach the correct video on my blog via youtube, below is the correct link :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAWK9V9Hk_A

Production company titles play at the start of the clip.  The titles are in a simple font and are not played over the action but before it so as not to distract from important elements.

Use of close ups and very specific light sources create enigma code – this is conventional in thrillers.  The audience’s attention needs to be grabbed. Mid-shots are also used to help the audience get an idea of the mise-en-scene.

Point of view is used to allow us to see what the other character is seeing.  It puts us in their shoes. From one of the POV shots, it is blurry. The blurry shot suggests impaired vision possibly due to the length of time the character has been locked in the dark.

blur

Editing – the takes are quite long to create a sense of isolation and to develop the tension.

The sound is mostly diegetic but specific uses of music emphasise certain elements – the discovery of the body for example. The sound of the water gave an idea of the situation of a drowned body, creating further tension for the audience.

Mise-en-scene is very dingy – a grotty bathroom, costumes are grimy and sweaty.  Particular props are highlighted, the gun, tape recorder etc – these are important to what will happen.

  

Film title - Cape Fear

Enigmatic montage of images – creates mystery

Use of extreme close up on girls face implied the importance of the character and shot. This effect is utilised again once the male character is released from prison. He walks confidently towards the camera in the middle of the frame which comes across as intimidating.

Titles look fragmented to illustrate the potential themes and atmosphere

Long take of the water – indicates it is important to the story. The focus of the choppy waves creates an unnerving experience for the audience, a sense of displacement.

Use of red – connotations of blood and danger.

Lighting makes use of shadows – conventional to the genre. At one point we are able to make out the shape of a muscular tall man but only one of his bare hands is revealed and the other is hidden. This suggests he may be hiding something important, possibly a weapon.

shadow