Different Types Of Opening Sequences Used In Films

Different Types Of Opening Sequences Used In Films


In a title sequence:

• Shows us the main characters/their names 
• A sense of the location
• Tells us the era it is set in
• Shows the genre
• Reveals the title
• A preview of the narrative
• Atmosphere/tone of the film - mis-en scene

Opening Sequence of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:

• Fast paced rock music - action film
• saw characters names 
• short story shown - chance of love then destroyed
• revealed genre of thriller/action
• objects thrown in the air signifies violence
• Don't see a face - mysterious
• narrative = hackers/surveillance/technology 
• this is a discrete title sequence - no clear description of actors and story line. 

The Traditional Title Sequence:

• Introduction of main characters 
• clear sense of genre,location and narrative
• Sense of tone of film
• font is genre specific

Straight into the Film:

• Straight into the first scene with no title sequence. 
• Opening scene usually defines the narrative and plot
• most likely in action or horror

The Stylised Opening Sequence:

• Combination of straight into it and traditional sequence e.g. Skyfall

When creating my own sequence, i would use the straight into the film sequence as it is the most effective because it doesn't allow one to create misconceptions of the narrative as it almost straight away demonstrates what it is about. 

I analysed the opening sequence to The Incredibles. I liked this title sequence because it was traditional and was simple to understand the genre of action and adventure and a clear way to establish the narrative and main characters. 

Skyfall Essay

How is gender represented in the extract of Skyfall?

 

This extract of Skyfall showed a difference in gender roles in comparison to other films. The importance of a male or female character was shown through camera angles, sound, editing and mis-en scene.

We initially see that the camera is behind Bond and is tracking him as he advances around the room, this represents that he is a leader. We then begin to see an over the shoulder shot of him caring for a fellow colleague and disobeying orders from M to take care of him, showing that he is a caring hero. This is an unusual section where Bond was the authoritative figure and disobeyed orders given to him by M. This is a counter typical situation as you rarely see a woman in a position of power over the man, giving him orders and getting constant respect.  The behind tracking shot is then contradicted by a diegetic voiceover Bond receives in his hear from M. He is being given instructions and isn’t in charge. Furthermore, the eye line match demonstrates he is searching for a stolen object in the room and he is the hero in this scene. The tight fitted black suit shows he is important.

 

In the second scene, we see a wide shot of Bond when he gets into the car with Moneypenny. This was chosen to show he is powerful. Contrastingly, we see that she is driving the car when they are chasing the enemies in this fast paced, action packed scene. This is counter typical as you would usually see a male driving the car. This is overshadowed when Moneypenny breaks both wing mirrors whilst at high speed, putting a sense a reality back into the counter typical scene.  The fasted paced non-diegetic music throughout the scene, shows he is chasing someone and he is the hero as well as increasing the tension so one is exciting for the upcoming events. The cross cutting in this scene between Bond and M shows she is in power and control over his actions, further emphasising the counter typical behaviour. M is given her own individual office when everyone else has a shared one as well as her office being in front of every one so she can look out on what they are doing shows she is the most powerful figure.

 

In the final scene, we encounter diegetic dialogue between Bond and Moneypenny. The essence of the conversation shows that Bond is again superior and in control of their actions. This is shown through a low angle shot looking up at Bond from her view, reassuring his power and status. The close up of M is used to focus us on her facial expressions of seriousness, calmness and authority. The eye line match used in the final scene of the extract shows that Bond is putting himself into danger. This is then again showed through the change between the close up and the birds eye view of the landscape to show us he is high up and could be in potential danger.

 

Overall, we see throughout this extract that M is seen as a countertype and quite a masculine character as well as having power and asserting her authority over Bond and Moneypenny at appropriate times. Additionally, Bond is seen as powerful and heroic and the archetypal male that the young children want to grow up to be like! Finally, Moneypenny is personified as a stereotypical sidekick who conforms to stereotypical gender expectations by allowing a man to take control over actions and responsibilities. However, she does have some power as she was allowed to drive the car throughout the chase.

 

 

Scream

Analysis


Camera: Tracking shot - shows empty space and shows she is being followed. Medium close up shows innocence. Camera tilting slowly down shows suspense as well as the fast zoom.


Sound: Diegetic phone ringing. Non diegetic heart beat. Crickets shows they're in a isolated location. Non diegetic sound signifies change. Diegetic dog bark implies here is an intruder.


Editing: Match on action - phone ringing and her picking it up repeatedly! Vulnerable and naivety shown though slow pace scene and tracking shot, this adds to tension and shows he is being watched. Eye line match - her looking around trying to figure out where the person is.


Mis-en Scene: Tracking shot of the tree slowly coming down on the house - isolated location. Contrast of clothing, innocent girl wearing light colours and murderer wearing dark.


Textual Analysis of Scream

This horror thriller amalgamates the brutal violence of a horror and the rapid suspense of a thriller. In the extract we were shown, there were stand out moments using camera, sound, editing and mis-en scene.

Throughout the second scene, there was a Tracking shot behind the vulnerable lonely girl, this was chosen to exaggerate the amount of empty space and show that she is being followed.  A medium close up was used when she initially discovered the man on the phone was suspicious and psychotic, it shows the innocence on her face. Furthermore, the camera tilting slowly down shows suspense as well as the fast zoom.


 Additionally, there are elements of this extract where one can easily tell it is a horror thriller just by focusing on the sound. The diegetic phone ringing right at the beginning quickly began the film with a mysterious encounter with diegetic dialogue taking place. Non diegetic heart beat before the phone call implied that the film will be pulse rising. The sound of the Crickets when the camera pas from the trees down to her house shows they're in an isolated location. The non-diegetic sound of the music when the man on the phone reveals he can see her signifies a change in the mood of the conversation. The Diegetic dog bark when we first realise she is in trouble implies here is an intruder.


 Furthermore, there are simple editing techniques used in the extract that make it clear that it is a horror thriller. The Match on action right at the beginning is when the phone continuously rings and she keeps picking it up! Her vulnerable side and naivety is shown though the slow pace scene of her on the phone call when the camera never cuts away from her using the tracking shot, this adds to the tension and shows she is being watched. The eye line match of her looking around trying to figure out where the person is shows loneliness and fear.


Finally, Mis-en Scene is used when we see a tracking shot of the tree slowly coming down on the house; this clearly shows she is in an isolated location. The Contrast of clothing where the innocent girl is wearing light colours and the murderer is wearing dark. This is a clear but subtle representation of the genre.

Thrillers

Conventions of a Thriller Film

• narratives have similar themes - suspense
• Violence
• Hero and villain
• Dark lighting
• isolated locations
• Non diegetic sound that creates atmosphere/tension
• synchronous diegetic sound to match the action
• An enigma is set up (we want to find out who solved he mystery)

Editing Techniques

Editing Techniques

Continuity editing techniques - invisible editing use by Hollywood. Smooth transitions.

Eye line match - When we see someones eye line and what they are looking at.

Cross cutting - showing 2 different scenes at the same time in different locations.

Match on Action - What we see and the outcome of it. E.g. picking up and glass and then drinking from it

Cut away - Insertion of something to give it meaning. This is usually done at the demand of the character.

Jump Cut - A tiny cut in a sequence that moves the action forward. Deliberately meant to show the passing of time. This adds urgency to the scene.

Fade in/out - This is used to change a scene. It is often used in horror films.

Dissolve - One shot that blends into the next one. It also sows the passing of time.

Wipe - Transition of scenes in a windscreen wiper motion however can be done in many other ways, it is similar to animations in power points.

Sound Bridge - A piece of  music that links 2 scenes together. It is used to add continuity to a scene and make it look like there has been no editing.

Montage - Quick shots cut together to speed up time. Famously used in Rocky.

Split Screen - 2 actors in different locations on screen at the same time.

Flash back -  Going into someones mind to provide a scene of what they are thinking. It provides context and a backstory to the character.

Slow Motion - It builds suspense, usually used in fight scenes and Romantic comedies to exaggerate when couples reunite.

Pace - slow pace signifies sadness. The genre of the film is evident though the pace. Pace shown through dialogue when it is important to the narrative. Fast pace used for high intensity and action.

Shot Reverse Shot - Used to convey information via a conversation. Cutting between peoples shoulders when the other is speaking.

Reaction Shot - focus on a character and shows their reaction to a situation.

Camera Time - The amount o time the camera spends on a character. More time on camera = More importance.

Skyfall

Skyfall

M is a counter type and a masculine character. She is powerful and has authority.

Bond is powerful and heroic - The archetypal (inspirational person) male

Moneypenny is played as a stereotypical sidekick. Conforms to gender expectations by letting the man take the role however she has some power. This is shown when she breaks the windscreen and disobeys orders in doing so.

Analysing Camera, Sound, Editing and Mis-en Scene in selected Skyfall scenes

Camera:

Behind character - tracking him, this represents that Bond is a leader. Over the shoulder shot shows Bond is a caring hero.
Wide shot sows Bond is powerful. When he camera is below him and looking up at him it show his power, authority and status. Bond shooting is used as a tracking shot showing he is the action hero.
The close up on M shows she is taking charge and then the quick switch between close up and birds eye view represents danger.

Sound:

Bond is not in charge and is following orders from M - The diegetic voice over. The non diegetic music shows that he is casing someone and is heroic for doing so, it also creates tension. The aggressive diegetic sound when M tells Bond to leave the man to die shows she is heartless. The diegetic dialogue shows Bond is in control and is superior. The non diegetic sound confirms heroism.

Editing:

Eye line match demonstrates he is searching for a stolen object. The match on action shows he is a hero. The cross cutting shows M is in control and is ordering Bond. This is countertyical of societal norms. Cross cutting also shows that Bond is fast, calm and successful under pressure. The eye line match shows the danger Bond is putting himself in. He has strength, determination and is a hero.

Mis-en Scene

Bonds suit shows his importance and his authoritative status. The props he uses e.g. gun, sponge and laptop shows the agency invest in his talents. The other prop is when the car comes to pick him up as soon as he exits the building. Furthermore, M has her own office where she can see everyone in he office, this evokes power and authority. The societal norms are put into realism again when they show stereotypical female driving when moneypenny breaks both wing mirrors. When Bond takes over the wheel after she does this, it shows he is fearless, experienced. This also shows that there is a continued patriarchal society.

The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 Degree Rule

The only way to break the 180 degree rule is by showing movement. This can be done by tracking, steady cam or panning. To change the 180 degree rule, you can also switch to another character and then cut back as his helps establish continuity.

Eye line match - someone isnt breaking the 180 degree rule