Analysis of opening scenes- The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is an action packed film ideal for all super hero fans, comic books crazed fans, and the majority of the general public. From right at the beginning of the film, the opening four minutes or so attracts the audience in many ways, from the music used to the types of camera shots present.

From the word ‘Go’, elements from making an excellent film begins. The first camera shot, establishing shot,  used is a high angled long shot, which automatically sets the scene and the location of where the film is set, ‘Gotham City’. Having used this type of camera angle shot, the audience feel as if this is from their eyes only, and are overviewing the events which will be occurring seconds later. The camera shot has movement of focusing, which makes the audience feel more inquisitive and engaged with the film. However this shot emphasises the normality of the day as it shows an everyday view of what people may see from their office buildings for example, which relates to the working people in the audience.

Having low bass, fairly quiet background music straight from the start creates immediate tension and suspense due to the music involving ticking as if there is a race against time. This music emphasises the next scene, as the smashing of the window in the building makes the audience jump or be on alert as the volume of the music decreases and the sharp sound of the window smashing increases. This music also links perfectly with the camera shot used, (high angled long shot), as it creates increase suspense when combined, which follows the conventions of an action packed film. Involving low beats in the music, suggesting a heartbeat rhythm, implies that something ‘bad’ or ‘critical’ is going to happen, as heartbeat music usually is linked to this.

The props used in the following scenes, promotes the genre of the film as being an action film. Guns and masked people signify violence and crime, which is all involved in the conventions of an action film. This tells the audience that the story line would involve crime and good fighting the bad. Having clown faces for masks can relate to the audience’s fears as clowns are seen as fear factors for many people; this suggests that the masked people are going to be the villains of the film. However, all Dark Knight Fanatics know many of the villains he faces, which one of the big ones is ‘The Joker’. The uses of these masks could imply that they are all involved with ‘The Joker’, which firstly associates with the Batman trilogy, but also makes the audience feel as though they know what is going on more than the people in the film. Further in the film, zip wires and metal cutting devices are used, which again all associate with conventions of an action thriller.

The masked people are all  wearing black clothes, which imply to the audience many things. First that they are all in it together and is an undercover job as the colours used makes them blend into the general public.  Also having such normal clothes makes the characters look as normal as the next, which makes the viewers untrustworthy of any other person in the scene. Stereotypically, white is seen as purity, loyal and good; however all the people present in this section of the film are all wearing black, which could symbolise their part in the film as being villainous.

The use of dialogue is also very effective as the repetition of the character ‘the Joker’, automatically tells the audience that the storyline will definitely, without a doubt, involve him. Also having the characters describe The Joker, raises the audience suspicions and first impressions of what this character is like, as they only have what is being said by the masked people as being the man which wears ‘ make-up’ or ‘war paint’. Also the use of dialogue suggests the status of the masked people as further on in the scene one of them says ‘when did you learn to count?’ This makes the audience believe that they are not very academic, (which links to mis en scene as stereotypically, least academic people are more likely to commit crime).

The location of this crime and undercover job can allow the audience to again relate to the events commencing, as using the location of a bank makes the audience realise that crime can happen anywhere and even in such an everyday place. Furthermore, using a low medium shot of the villainous people coming in, shows how big the place is and to a certain extent, it makes the audience adrenaline increase as they want to know how they are going to pull off such a big job, as the shot type emphasises the hugeness of the place.

When the scene is in the bank, the use of the close up of the man at his desk, makes the assumption that he isn’t the kind of person to sit back while all this is happening. The first impressions of him makes the audience warm up to him as carrying on through the scene he is trying to protect the people and the bank. This encourages the audience wanting him to succeed.

Near the end of the clip, there is a few close up shots in a row, between the two masked people. Using this technique generates tension as nobody knows what is going to happen. This camera shot leads perfectly into the last shot, which is the two shot, as it shows exactly what was going to happen. The use of the dialogue confuses the audience as the masked man mentions ‘I’m meant to kill the bus driver’, when clearly there is no bus in the scene. This makes the audience expect something explosive or damaging is going to commence. The two shot helps emphasis the destruction the bus causes and enables the audience to understand that this was a very thought out plan.

Overall the clip ticked all the criteria of engaging with the audience from the correct location to the clown masked criminals, but also followed the conventions of an action packed thriller, making the audience wanting more! I would recommend seeing the rest of the film as it’s as action packed and addictive to watch from the start to the very last seconds of filming. You never know, you may finally see the ‘war painted’ man known as ‘The Joker’…

Analysis of opening scenes- The Grudge

The Grudge is a very well known horror, involving supernatural suspense and is the first of the Grudge series.

The establishing shot is a high angle shot moving into a long shot view of the setting. This shot shows the normality of the day, making the audience feel as though nothing bad is going to happen. This also gives an insight of what the view is like for the character in the scene, which suggests that he is a man with lots of money due to the location he is in. The audience would think that he is a very lucky person to live in a location like this. Furthermore this angle may suggest that he may be seen as more superior than the people below him as the high angle shot implies he is looking over them, and even judging their every move.

Associating a beautiful woman in this opening scene shows that before the events happens, everything before was good and working out. This makes the audience have confusion in what is going on as the contrasting characters demonstrate, as a man with an attractive lady in a highly expensive apartment, with good location is so depressed and finally committing suicide. This may not go by the normal conventions of a horror movie, as many usually start with a sudden jump or scare, so the audience know what they signed up for. However, this horror movie, in my opinion, goes more for the story line than the huge scare factor to begin with.

Having used a two shot, when the lady wakes up emphasises the contrast feeling and emotions that each of them have. The lady is seen as being very happy and enjoying the situation they are in, whereas the man is expressed as if he is distressed and distracted, which to a certain extent makes the audience feel either that he may be ungrateful what he has or increasingly suspicious on why and what he is up to. Further on in the scene another two shot is used, which makes the audience surprised what happens as this shot suggests nothing bad is going to happen, but instead the man just jumps off the balcony, showing no sign of regret or unwillingness. The audience would be shocked and exceedingly confused on the reason of this suicide.

The use of the lack of dialogue in the opening scene definitely symbolises that this is an odd starting to the day for this couple. This automatically shows the audience that the man is the one which would be setting the film up as he is the one acting suspiciously haunted and even too scared to say a single word. This technique emphasises the effectiveness of the close up and medium shots used of the man as this allows the audience to focus on his character rather than any others in the scene.

When the man jumps off the balcony, the camera shot used makes the audience feel as it is them which have fallen off the balcony. This makes the audience experience the man’s final few seconds of his life through his eyes and emphasis that there is no return from this fall. The sound effects also enhance the feeling of falling for the audience as it acts as if the air is sweeping through their hair.

The bird-eye view from over the balcony allows the audience to see the damage and what is left of the man. This would follow the conventions of a horror film and gruesome scenes are always present in them. This shot makes the audience feel as if it is from their eyes of the woman looking down and due to the slowness of the overlook suggests the lady is distraught.

Finally the music used creates an eerie and spooky atmosphere, which builds up to the opening credits of the film. Having the music in short bursts increasingly getting louder and closer together makes the audience feel uncomfortable and inquisitive on wanting to know more.

This opening scene for me isn't the best start of a horror film as there were no jumpy or scary bits at the beginning, which suggests that there is more of a story line behind this than other horror movies. However watching through the rest of the film the scare factor does increase, and would probably put you off being alone for a while.
Hover and click on the link below to see the opening scene: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfrZp14tFjA&noredirect=1

Analysis of opening scenes- Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump, the multi-award winning film, featuring Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise, is one of the most emotionally involved films there is around; making you tear jerky to smiling with happiness.

In the opening scene the flying feather is peacefully floating in the sky; this makes the whole atmosphere innocent and childlike as the high toned piano tune is simple but very effective. This would make the audience relate to the film as it makes you think of childhood due to the innocence of the tune. The feather could symbolize the journey people take throughout their lives, as we face twists and turns, up and downs, which is what life is about and of course Forrest Gump. Having the feather floating around also allows the audience to see all the surroundings and setting of the film, however, the feather does take a lot of the attention.

When the feather finally lands, it falls to the feet of a man. The close up of the shoes suggests that he is significant to the film and that the shoes themselves may be a main part to the story line. The shoes are also very worn, which suggests that the character uses his possessions in whatever state they are in or that he doesn't have much money, which makes the audience grow on the character and wanting to know more about him.

The clothes which are present in the film continually adds to the character and is introduced with camera moving from a low shot to a medium shot. The clothes uses suggest that the individual is an well dressed and that he always wants to make an impression for others. However the shoes he is wearing contrast to the pale suit, which emphasis that he is childlike as usually when wearing a suit you would wear smart shoes.

Involving the opening of the suitcase, showing the contents of what looks like his life, makes the audience feel sympathetic for him as he has not got many belongings to his name and that it seems as though he lives from his suitcase. It also shows that he treasures all what he finds and has, which gives an insight of his character. The contents of the suitcase are all in a precise but also are all fairly childish like objects, for example, the book. However throughout the film you find out what and why he treasures these objects so dearly.

The close up shot of the character, finally gives the audience a chance to see his face and expressions he has, which implies he is the main character of the story and would be present throughout the story line.

Analysis of opening scene- Ocean's eleven

The establishing shot shows the audience the setting of the first scene, which allows them to create their first impression of the main character in the film. This medium shot emphasises the dinginess of the location, which suggests that the character would be as unhygienic as the environment around him. However, having this gloomy background generates a sharp contrast from the main character as our expectations are shattered as a well dressed, smart looking ‘Daniel Ocean’ takes his seat, instead of the stereotypical convict with countless tattoos. This establishing shot follows the conventions of an action film as crime, jail and the idea of more to come is all present from the start.

The use of dialogue gives an insight of what the character is like and what he has been convicted for presently and in the past. The audience would usually loathe and dislike a convict character due to the numerous crimes they have committed; however ‘Mr Ocean’ makes the audience like him as the smart wit and general appearance attracts them to like him, especially the ladies! Also having only him in the scene speaking, emphasises the significance of his character whereas the parole board are faceless voices, automatically showing the low importance they have in the scene. Allowing the main character to respond to why he did these crimes, makes the audience feel sympathetic for him, as he begins to open up, permitting the audience to relate to him and his relationship problems.

Having using a continuous medium shot, lets the audience see all the expressions and reaction the character has in response to the voices of the insignificant parole board.

The final shot of the opening sequence develops the feelings of intrigue for the audience due to the close up and the music used. Firstly the final shot being a close up implies that he is going to be in the storyline throughout the film. Also makes the audience feel as if they can see what is going through his mind and having the lighting produce a cheeky glint in his eyes, illustrates something extraordinarily smart is going to occur, which sets up the whole storyline. During this close up, the cliff-hanger question ‘what do you think you would do, if released?’ finishes of the opening scene perfectly, as the suspending silence, implies what he is going to do is the storyline of the film. When the question is asked, after the few seconds of silence, the music involving cymbals and a jazzy classy beat, suggests it would be something cunning is going to happen and builds up the rest of the film. The audience is left with one question going through their minds...

 ‘What is he going to do, if he is realised?’