Analysis of opening scenes- Saving Private Ryan

The opening scene of Saving Private Ryan is introduced with the transition of the title of the film fading onto the black background. This transition suggests that softness and that the film may have a tear jerking element to it. The font used is also very simple roman styled font, which suggests that this film may be to do with the simpler times.

The constant use of the instrumental music in the background implies heroic aspect of the film and may suggest that it is about someone’s journey of achieving something. This music creates a respecting and honourable feeling for the audience as this music can be associated with the kind of music played at Remembrance Day’s. The music also creates an atmosphere of being sombre and despair as the music is soft due to the several instruments used.

The close up shot of the American flag tells the audience that the film is associated with being in America and involves an American story. This suggests patriotism for America as it shows how proud and the amount of respect people have for their country and having the flag fluttering in the air implies that the country will stand strong through whatever they have to face, which suggests that the film is based on military due to the combining use of the music and close up of the flag. Having a fairly long pause on the flag allows the audience to reflect what has happened in the past and allows them to think about things, which makes them want to watch more.

Having a behind the shoulder shot allows the audience to follow the man as if they are walking behind him. This allows them to see the location of where the film is set and having the camera moving up from low to high shows the age of the character.

The medium shot of the group of people, which is presumed to be behind the man shows the emotions and what they all look like. It also shows the closeness they have for one another as they are all standing fairly close together, which could suggest they are related or have some kind of relationship to each other. Having this shot suggests that there is a separation between the man walking ahead and the group of people behind, which makes the audience want to know where they are going but also why he is ahead of the crowd.

The following shot is also a medium shot, which means the audience can finally see what the man walking ahead looks like from the front and shows the feeling he has running through his mind, which seems  to be quite apprehensive. He is portrayed as being an old man, which implies that he is significant to the story line as he is the only one having a shot to them self. Furthermore the group catches up and forms a line begin the man, which suggests to the audience that they are supporting him in what he is doing. This symbolises the closeness and the supportiveness they have for this man.

Having the two separate long shots of the two contrasting flags, shows that it is something to do with war and the history of it, which is the suggested storyline of this film. The two separate shots could suggest that even though they are far from each other in the world they will stand strong together as they are both fluttering in the wind together and standing tall together. This would represent the alliances between these two countries, which would make the audience remember what has happened in the past and can even associate and relate to them too.

Analysis of opening scenes- Skyfall

Within the first couple of seconds the audience automatically knows what film it is, even without watching the screen! Having the iconic music of James Bond, symbolises the theme of spy, action, guns and fight scenes and allows the male audience to fantasize on being a spy themselves.

Having the establishing scene as being a blurred but long distance shot, creates tension and wanting to know the unknown figure walking towards them. This effect of blurriness suggests the audience is looking from a hidden place as they are unable to adjust their eyes on the figure. However the figure begins to move towards the camera increasing the adrenaline of the audience. Having the bright light contrasting the figure may imply that they bring goodness and is seen and known as being heroic.

As the camera adjusts Mr Bond’s face emerges from the darkness, having half his face lit and the other half in complete darkness. The use of the lighting could imply that his character is good but has a concept of darkness and badness within himself as the half lit face implies this. On the other hand this symbolises the whole bond aspect of being a spy and hidden and all the missions being under lockdown throughout.

The use of the music in the background increases tension and suspense due to the use of sound increasingly getting louder. The ticking elements used in the music allows the audience to associate it with a clock ticking down, implying it is a race against time and it is limiting every action Bond is doing.

The use of props all follow the conventions of an action film as involving the use of guns, technology and killings of enemies all associates with this genre. Having guns and high tech devices present in the scene allows the male audience to imagine being a spy as this attracts them to the film. The dialogue into the hidden microphone on Bond allows the audience to hear who he is talking to, which is a woman’s voice. The voice is very demanding, which gives an insight of her character being very forcefully and demanding. This shows the gender role change as women are not seen as having lots of authority over men, however does show that men do the dirty work, which suggests the gender in society of men and women are expressed as equals.

Having the low angled view of one of Bonds colleague dying due to a gunshot wound, makes the audience sympathise for the spy as it shows the emotions of desperation for surviving. The audience gains mixed emotions as they feel sorry for the spy but also may make them dislike the female voice as she said to Bond to carry on and to forget about him. The use of the light shining on the dying spy could suggest that he is going to a better place and shows his heroicness to whatever happened before James got there.

Analysis of opening scene- Children of Men

Although I haven’t seen the film before, the establishing shot entices you to watch more than the few minutes of this analysis. The establishing shot automatically creates an enigma, as the audience is struck with wonder on why they are standing in pure shock and upset at, what we presume to be the local new due to the news reporter in the background. The enigma is further continued as the use of having the news on the TV in the background, increases the curiosity of the audience on wanting to know more. Using this high angled shot for the establishing shot, makes the people of the scene seem helpless and vulnerable as we are looking down on them, which suggests the audience is more superior to them. This is also effective as it shows all the people who are worried about what is happening in the news, from old to young, to couples and single people.

Having the man barging through past the stunned people, suggests that he is the main character and is certainly part of the storyline; this emphasises his significance to the film. Also as he’s cutting his way through the crowd, his voice is projected louder than the surroundings, which creates an upset atmosphere as his voice his cutting the silence. To an certain extent, using a strong male figure, attracts the ladies, but could also suggest gender roles in society, as men is seen as having more authority than and over women- even in future life as the film is set in future years time.

The use of clothing and props in the first few seconds of the scene concludes the atmosphere immediately, as dark colours stereotypically suggest sadness and despair. Also the clothes are fairly everyday clothes, which shows the normality of the day, which could suggest that the news is a shock as everybody dressed up like usual, expecting nothing bad or devastating to occur.

As the scene starts the use of having the news reporters speaking through the opening credits catches the attention of the audience from the word ‘go’. This again creates the whole enigma, which is generated in the in the establishing shot. The voices are also not shown, which suggest the lack of importance they have for the rest of the storyline, although they are setting the atmosphere of the whole film as giving the vital information. The voices also combined well with the opening credits as the bold white font, contrasting from the background, emphasises urgency and importunacy to the matter commencing.

The close up of the news, shows the importunacy of the news and gives an insight of the film. This also makes the audience have a feeling of confusion as they are saying a ‘baby of 18 years’ has died-however babies are seen as one year olds, aren’t they? This adds further suspense and curiosity for the audience.

The over the shoulder shot of when the man walks out of the café also involves a continuous shot as well. This allows the audience to see the range of people this news is affecting and the emotions they are all going through. Having a policeman in the scene reflects that the people who swore on protecting us, cannot face what is going on in the world- the law has no say in the matter.

The long shot view shows the setting of the film as being the future London, with big high tech screens on buildings and unusual looking vehicles driving past. The huge screens on the buildings emphasises how drastic the news is due to the continuous broadcast of it. This also gives the generalised view on what the future would be like with technology increasing every day, all over the world. Involving the trash bags on the pavement with policemen walking by them with no care whatsoever, in the scene, suggests again that the news is effecting how people are acting and the decreasing amount of respect they have for their living area.

While the man is ‘irishing’ up his coffee, the camera effect of rotating around the character is very effective. This suggests that the film revolves around him and his journey of whatever he has to achieve. It also gives the audience a full sight of the appearance of the character.

The surprising explosion finishes the scene perfectly as all of the audience was encouraged to focus on the man; this would make the audience jump and build up confusion and another enigma on what has just happened in front of them. The camera shot suggest as if the audience was running towards the commotion as the jauntiness and unstableness suggested we were running and stepping forward. This attracts the audience as it encourages them to involve themselves into the scene. The use of the high pitch loud ringing/ screeching noise in the background creates the effect that the audience ears are ringing due to the impact of the explosion, which again involves the audience.

Finally, having the title of the film, ‘Children of Men’, suddenly coming on the screen generates suspense and increasing the curiosity of what is going to happen for the audience.

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?’