Ginger Snaps- Opening Sequence Analysis

 

Legally Blonde- Opening Sequence Analysis

Wallander- Opening Sequence Analysis

Mise-en-scene uses the location to create a relaxed, calm atmosphere and can make the audience feel very tranquil. There is no noise within this location and isn't busy at all, which can contrast with the storyline and also the main characters.

The main characters are dressed very goth, wearing all black and Sonia has a red strip in her hair which can portray a more rebellious look from both these girls, which contrasts with the beginning scene showing the location in an quiet urban area. 

The use of an establishing shot is used, as a form of camera work, to show a landscape preview of the whole location. This highlights the dull side of the urban area but also adds to the eerie atmosphere created.





In addition, the use of a close up of the man's key ring, allows us to gain more information about him and the fact he has a son which can probably mean he's around middle-aged. It can also represent that he was probably just an innocent civilian, trying to looking after his family and the only reason the girls murdered him, was for his money.

The first element of editing used is the use of cross cutting, from when the girls are walking away, back to the dying man in his car. This can symbolise that they link with each other and can get the audience ready for the rest of the storyline, so they are able to find out more information about the previous events that have just occurred.




The use of the slow paste editing can show that everything they've done has quickly happened but the after events are slow as they aren't thinking properly and are in shock from what they've just done.

Diegetic sound is used such as, foot steps, heavy breathing and the car radio. This can allow the audience to really interact with the film world and allows them to feel more involved with what is happening as they can feel like they are actually there.

Lastly, the music used in the credits produces a very smooth and gentle atmosphere which can contradict to the whole storyline. This can make the audience feel more engaged.

Sixth Sense- Opening Sequence Analysis

In this essay, I am going to analyse the opening sequence of Sixth Sense through the areas of mise-en-scene, editing, camerawork and finally sound. An opening sequence should include continuity editing; giving the audience an idea about the setting of the film, the characters and key events in the film and titles and credits etc. This makes the audience want to carry on watching as the opening sequence is interesting and attractive.

First of all, the opening credits are white with a black background which shows that the film is serious. This also relates to the music in the opening credits as it creates tension and gives off a creepy vibe to the audience. Additionally, the font is spaced out which makes seem very isolated.

 In the opening scene, the setting is in a cellar with low key lighting to create shadows and look scary. This makes the audience believe that something frightening is about to happen. However, in the end the women leaves the cellar unharmed.



The costume of Malcolm and Anna, as in the opening sequence the we find out the names of the couple, relate to their wealth, as Malcolm is wearing a suit indicating that he is high in class, and Anna is in a long silk dress which also indicates the same thing. However, Vincent Grey is wearing nothing but his underwear, which cuts and bruises up his legs and is holding a gun. This highlights that he is very unstable and a dangerous character, making the audience keep an eye on him.

One way editing makes the opening sequence of Sixth Sense good is when the credits fade in and out. This creates tension and a creepy atmosphere as the audience are starting to understand the type of film they are going to watch.



Additionally, an eyeline match is used in the last scene of the opening sequence to show the little boy, in Bruce Willis's (Malcolm) perspective to highlight that the boy is important in this scene and makes the audience attracted to him.



There is a use of dissolve into 'next fall' to show the jump in time and that the story has moved on from the last scene. This gives the audience a new story to focus on as it provides them with a new setting and a new character.

One way camera work makes the opening sequence of Sixth Sense good is the long shot of Malcolm's wife in the cellar. This shows that she is alone and weak creating tension and fear towards her as something unexpected may occur.



Also, the use of zoom on certain props such as, the frame and cards, indicate that they are important and that the audience should keep them in mind to understand future events. The frame and cards portray that he is good at his job and that people respect him because of it.



Finally, in the last scene of the opening sequence there is a quick pan, in Bruce Willis's Perspective, of the young boy walking past the bushes, this shows that he is important in this scene as Malcolm wants to keep his eyes on the boy at all times.

Lastly, the use of silence when Malcolm's wife (Anna) is in the cellar creates tension and fear and emphasizes that something is about to happen to her as there is no sound. It makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they don't expect what is going to happen next due to the use of silence. The fact that Anna is in the cellar on her own creates more of an effect and she is more vulnerable and an easy target.

Another aspect of sound which makes the opening sequence of Sixth Sense is dialogue between Malcolm and Vincent is calm and relax which makes the shooting ironic as Malcolm is labelled good at his job so the audience believe that he is able to calm down his former patient (Vincent) but instead Vincent shoots Malcolm and himself.


Finally, whilst the credits are being played tense creepy music is being played when the credits fade in and out which foreshadows the future events that occur in the opening scene and rest of the film.

Opening Sequence

An opening sequence is when the characters, setting and event are introduced. An opening sequence should use continuity editing to make it flow and gives the audience a view on what the film includes making them what to continue watching the film. 

First Example:




This opening sequence of Hot Fuzz includes continuity editing as well as montage editing. This sequence shows the audience the main character and the setting of the start film. During the opening sequence Simon Pegg (Officer Sergeant Angel) uses a voice over to introduce his character and tell the audience about his past events and how successful he has been as a police officer. 

Second Example:




This Opening sequence of The Original Halloween (1978)includes continuity editing to make the audience want to carry on watching. Also, it brings the audience closer with the characters and gives the audience an idea of each character in the audience wonder what is going to happen.

Third Example:



The opening sequence of The Lorax includes continuity editing and introduces the setting of the film and the main characters of the film. The song that is played through out the opening sequence shows the genre of the movie (family) as the music is happy and creates a positive atmosphere.

The Brief

I have to research, plan, create and evaluate the opening sequence and titles to a new fiction film that last no longer than 2 minutes.

Preliminary Project

In this preliminary project, we had to create a short opening sequence that included: someone walking in through a door, someone sitting down on a chair and finally two characters having a conversation. Additionally, we have to include a shot reverse shot, action match and the 180 degree rule. The short film consisted of continuity editing, which is when the editing seems invisible and flows from one scene to another. This makes sure that the audience doesn't get confused with whats going on in the film, as everything in the film flows and goes together, instead of there being cut scenes and slight pauses. The sequence must have the same characters and ensure the continuity of time, space and finally action. 

WWW: 
- We included a shot reverse shot, action match and followed the 180 degree rule.
- The opening scene included continuity editing, allowing the scene to flow and look natural
- We included all the elements given to us in the brief

EBI:
- Use the camera to follow Owen instead of cut to him walking 
- Include background music to create a better effect

Introduction

Hey, my name is Sam Blake and I am 16 years old. I'm doing A level media studies and I decided to study media studies as 

it seemed interesting and I want to learn about about the different types of media and how they are made. Im interested in learning how to create films and video games as I watch plenty of films and play multiple video games such as Fifa 16 and Black ops 3.