Opening Titles
The titling sequence is not the first thing we see- it comes after a naturalistic opening scene. There is harsh, disturbing, non-diegetic music played over the titles (some random noises such as scratching and screams). The font is as if it is handwritten in an untidy scrawl, making the audience look closer to read what it says and giving the impression that someone has written them by hand. It is a higly edited sequence of disturbing images that flash and change rapidly. It is strange and slightly phsychotic in it's nature, creating an unsettling ambience. It is filmed in black and white with the odd flashes of red (denoting danger, blood, passion). Some of the shots merge unclearly from one into another, creating a feeling of disorientation. Lots of CUs are used to control what the audience focus on in the shot. It seems like someone is collecting evidence but not in an authoritive way- it is obsessive and unpredictable, suggesting it may be more of a scrapbook of somebody's achievements than an official police document. The images are POV shots where sometimes you can see the person's hands but no more, building a sense of mystery and confusion. This abstract sequence contrasts greatly with the previous scene, taking the audience by surprise and putting them on edge.
Generic Themes
A sense of sadness is created in the opening. Lots of hollow, busy noise is heard yet the character seems not to notice this (suggesting he is used to the disrruption of a busy city). He is experienced at his job and truly cares, causing the audience to empathise with him to begin with. This means that when another character is introduced, binary opposition is established, creating an interesting relationship to develop during the film. A shift in status is shown quite early on, with the use of high and low angle shots, positioning of the characters in the scene and symbolic items of costume. It is a linear sequence, presenting the events in the order that they happen.
The protagonist has a hard, defensive exterior (setting him up to be opened up later in the film).
Sound
Diegetic~ rainfall, sirens, people's voices in the street/other rooms in the building, naturalistic background noise
Non-Diegetic~ the eery music used in the film's titles contrasts with the natural sounds heard in the opening sequence
Mise-en-scene
~Rain is used as a patheitc fallacy (thrilling atmosphere, reflects events in the film, a constant noise that could disguise other noises- making it difficult to be totally aware in any situation, metaphor- they are cleansing the city, bad weather acts as a barrier and stops things happening so efficiently)
~Objects that he needs for the day are laid out obsessively neatly, giving us an insight into his character
~It is relatively dark and there is a distinct lack in colour (the film was shot using natural light and minimal additional lighting)
~Costume items are symbolic (he wears a hat because he is experienced and used to the rainy city whereas the other character is trying to dodge the rain becuase he is new to the job)
~Blood is not shown in such an obvious form. It is not essential information at this point so it is suggested as opposed to seen close up. This could be to make the audience focus on the characters and their relationship rather than looking at the horrific body
~The magnets on the fridge are realistic and make the setting look like a real home. It adds a personal touch and shows the character is emotionally involved with his work
Shot Types
*Close ups and medium close ups are used initially to show the character getting ready
*POV shots are used to develop an insight into the character's lifestyle and suggesting his occupation
*The second scene (at the crime scene) is shown mainly through medium shots, showing some of the setting and involving the characters talking
*Two shots are used to connect and contrast the two characters (focussing the audience's attention on them)
Camera Movements
Most of the shots are fairly static to begin with, sometimes panning slowly to gradually reveal the location. This means the audience may feel like they are not seeing the whole picture.
A low angle tracking shot is used to show the characters as the exit the crime scene and walk own the street, giving them a powerful status. Tracking along with the action makes the audience feel present, like they are a part of the scene.
This thriller opening was very different to 'Momento' and again had some interesting conventions. I thought it was intriguing to film using only natural lighting where possible. At times it made it very hard to see what was happening which was the intention but I wasn't overly keen on this. I loved the titling sequence because that in itself was thrilling. It was mysterious and made me want to watch the rest of the film!
The titling sequence is not the first thing we see- it comes after a naturalistic opening scene. There is harsh, disturbing, non-diegetic music played over the titles (some random noises such as scratching and screams). The font is as if it is handwritten in an untidy scrawl, making the audience look closer to read what it says and giving the impression that someone has written them by hand. It is a higly edited sequence of disturbing images that flash and change rapidly. It is strange and slightly phsychotic in it's nature, creating an unsettling ambience. It is filmed in black and white with the odd flashes of red (denoting danger, blood, passion). Some of the shots merge unclearly from one into another, creating a feeling of disorientation. Lots of CUs are used to control what the audience focus on in the shot. It seems like someone is collecting evidence but not in an authoritive way- it is obsessive and unpredictable, suggesting it may be more of a scrapbook of somebody's achievements than an official police document. The images are POV shots where sometimes you can see the person's hands but no more, building a sense of mystery and confusion. This abstract sequence contrasts greatly with the previous scene, taking the audience by surprise and putting them on edge.
Generic Themes
A sense of sadness is created in the opening. Lots of hollow, busy noise is heard yet the character seems not to notice this (suggesting he is used to the disrruption of a busy city). He is experienced at his job and truly cares, causing the audience to empathise with him to begin with. This means that when another character is introduced, binary opposition is established, creating an interesting relationship to develop during the film. A shift in status is shown quite early on, with the use of high and low angle shots, positioning of the characters in the scene and symbolic items of costume. It is a linear sequence, presenting the events in the order that they happen.
The protagonist has a hard, defensive exterior (setting him up to be opened up later in the film).
Sound
Diegetic~ rainfall, sirens, people's voices in the street/other rooms in the building, naturalistic background noise
Non-Diegetic~ the eery music used in the film's titles contrasts with the natural sounds heard in the opening sequence
Mise-en-scene
~Rain is used as a patheitc fallacy (thrilling atmosphere, reflects events in the film, a constant noise that could disguise other noises- making it difficult to be totally aware in any situation, metaphor- they are cleansing the city, bad weather acts as a barrier and stops things happening so efficiently)
~Objects that he needs for the day are laid out obsessively neatly, giving us an insight into his character
~It is relatively dark and there is a distinct lack in colour (the film was shot using natural light and minimal additional lighting)
~Costume items are symbolic (he wears a hat because he is experienced and used to the rainy city whereas the other character is trying to dodge the rain becuase he is new to the job)
~Blood is not shown in such an obvious form. It is not essential information at this point so it is suggested as opposed to seen close up. This could be to make the audience focus on the characters and their relationship rather than looking at the horrific body
~The magnets on the fridge are realistic and make the setting look like a real home. It adds a personal touch and shows the character is emotionally involved with his work
Shot Types
*Close ups and medium close ups are used initially to show the character getting ready
*POV shots are used to develop an insight into the character's lifestyle and suggesting his occupation
*The second scene (at the crime scene) is shown mainly through medium shots, showing some of the setting and involving the characters talking
*Two shots are used to connect and contrast the two characters (focussing the audience's attention on them)
Camera Movements
Most of the shots are fairly static to begin with, sometimes panning slowly to gradually reveal the location. This means the audience may feel like they are not seeing the whole picture.
A low angle tracking shot is used to show the characters as the exit the crime scene and walk own the street, giving them a powerful status. Tracking along with the action makes the audience feel present, like they are a part of the scene.
This thriller opening was very different to 'Momento' and again had some interesting conventions. I thought it was intriguing to film using only natural lighting where possible. At times it made it very hard to see what was happening which was the intention but I wasn't overly keen on this. I loved the titling sequence because that in itself was thrilling. It was mysterious and made me want to watch the rest of the film!
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