Monday 22 October 2012

Film Opening Sequence Analysis

Each one of these different screen shots hold a different meaning or are shown for a different purpose. I have decided to choose the film ' Inside Man' as I think that this film is so well directed and I think that the opening sequence is the best I have ever seen.

1. In screen shot 1, this is the first person that we see in the film so straight away we can tell that he is the main character and he is the most important character of the film. In the film we can hear him talking about being in a prison cell then in the screen shot we see him with a dark background. This background supports him by showing that he is in darkness like being in a prison cell. This is effective for the viewer because we feel like he has already been caught or will be caught.

2. In the second shot we see the same man that has been talking before but he is in front of a different background and it is a lot lighter than before. In the film we can see in the scene that the wall behind him is getting lighter and closer which could show that he is starting to be in the light. This is effective for the viewer because it is a small clue that even though you think he is trapped or caught he has found a way to get out into the light or to be free.

3. The third shot is when the actual title sequence starts and it starts to show the opening credits. In the screen shot we can see a massive roller coaster but underneath this we see a van and a man or woman dressed in a full boiler suit going towards the car. The director has decided to do this because the roller coaster takes the focus from the man/ woman. this could show that these people are being able to hide away without people noticing them and without being caught.

4. The fourth screen shot is just the part where the title of the film is shown, this is to show the viewer that the film has started, this is supported by what is happening in the background as the van drives away with the person inside.

5. Number 5 is only shown for a few seconds as it is not a major part of the film. however it is a clue of what is happening in the film as this hasn't been given away yet. The sign says 'Manhatten State Bank' this is a clue to where the film is going to be set and also to what is going to happen in the film. To the viewer it is till unclear to why there is going to be a bank robbery and who is involved.

6. Screen shot 6 shows the driver of the van, the one who has been picking up all of the other people that are going to be involved in the robbery. The director has done this to show every charcter and to show how many robbers there is. This is becuae of what happens later on in the film and the director doesnt want to give away their identities yet so has them to cover their faces.

7. Screne shot 7 is linked to screen shot 6 as they both are showing another member of the gang that is going to rob the bank. In each of the shots where the people are being picked up their is always a sense of calmness and of quite scenery. All the people around them are unaware of what will happen and it shows that these criminals are able to hide or blend in with the public so easily, you will never be able to tell who is a robber. This is supported later on in the film when the hostages are being interviewed but all the criminals but one is blending in wiht them and they are unable to be detected.

8. Number eight is a screen shot of a well known landmark in manhatten that can be recognised for the area it is in all over the world. This is just supporting the fact that anywhere, anytime, anyone can do something that will change the way that someone thinks about an area or a whole country.

9. The last screen shot is of the last credit we see this credit is of the director, his name comes last because he wants people to know it is his film. In the background it shows the name of the street on a sign post, this is shown to set a scene and to inform the viewer where the film is set.

No comments:

Post a Comment