Here is my first piece of opening sequence analysis. Over the course of the analysis of the openings of 5 films or more, its necessary to note that the most important reasons for doing so is to gain inspiration for my final project (which is still but a few undeveloped ideas), and to gain an understanding for the common conventions of thriller/murder mystery openings, so firstly i can learn what to include, and when to include it, thus creating the underlying professionalism my film will need to replicate in order to appeal to the same wide audience as thrillers. And secondly so that when it is time to create my evaluation, i know which films and which specific areas to compare my film to in order to argue its professionalism, and to demonstrate my understanding of the genre and its audience, to the examiners.
Why Panic Room?
David Fincher is my favourite director without any doubt. So, it was an easy decision for me to pick Panic Room (a simplistic, yet stuninng thriller) to analyse. Howard shore (a favourite of Fincher) provides a wonderfully tense score, which combined with the visuals- creates a breathtakingly dominant and somewhat clostraphobic viewer perception/reaction.
Opening Sequence timeline+depiction
- 0-19 seconds- Columbia/Sony Pictures Entertainment introductory shot. This quickly demonstrates the prestige of the film- because of the institutions reputation. Through this i instantly have an example of a distributor for an American thriller; thus i develop my understanding of the heritage and appeal to American thrillers, through future research. However this ultimately depends on whether i want to present my film as an American thriller, or a British one. Due to it's arguably recognizable and prestigious ident; Columbia Pictures could be seen to be aimed at wide audience- who will have great expectation of this film, therefore its 15 rating is understandable as the distributor is more likely to be moderate due its vested interest in its reputation, and its conglomerate owners want for high profit. In contrast to Film4 and the BFI (institutions/distributors which have produced films like Shallow Grave, and Trainspotting), Columbia are likely less likely to produce something alternative and violent.
- 19-21 seconds- Police sirens echo in the darkness. Assuming this is diagetic sound, it certainly juxtaposes from the rest of the opening sequence (which is grand and secretive), although having personally watched the whole film more than once- it must be said that this could show to be revealing what is to happen at the film (obviously only a small amount). The police sirens confuse the viewer early on (a common trait in thrillers), but definitely connote the danger which is run throughout the entire film.
- 21-25 seconds- Shores dark orchestral music starts, a slow surrounding shot from in the air (in line with skyscrapers). The floating typography is shown for the first time. This demonstrates the mystery and negative power of this unknown city. This gives me a good example of something which would be effective to replicate in my film opening; the combination of the chilling music building atmosphere, with the bold but mysterious titles, and finally but most importantly the striking sight of the skyscrapers. These combinations are evidently effective in building tension, and luring in the viewer; and are certainly something which the larger cinema screens will increase the effects of. Therefore i can single out tense music, bold titles, and striking scenery as aspects which i would potentially like to replicate in my film,as from first hand experience- and the general success of the film (rotten tomatoes gave it 6.9 out of 10, it earned $196 million in Box Office).
- 26-32 seconds. Two still surrounding/long shots, with the floating text straight on from the camera.
- 32-36 seconds. A new rotation shot (90 degrees possibly)- camera straight on, close on building- showing main cahracter Jodie Fosters name in the floaty typograthy.This shows deliberate emphasis on her name being incredibly grand, and in being shown first in order to show the importance of the characters.
- 37-40 seconds. Exact same shot used for Forrest Whittakers name to be shown- another main character. The importance of having big names in film like this is great, due to the fact that it lures the viewer into total attention, as the average viewer likes knowing an acclaimed actor is in it, this is something which i will contemplate doing in my film- depending on whether i want to aim it at the wide thriller/murder mystery audience, or if i want to give a more British, alternative feel to the genre, in which case big names would be less necessary.
- 41-44 seconds. High angled shot showing a still town scene (a bill board of a women- probably a model, very prominent mise-en-scene as it emphasis the portrayal of realism of the events which further increase the tension, as it becomes more relatable to a wider audience).Lesser character Dwight Yoakams position in the film could be connoted by this vast aerail high angle shot- looking down on his name.
- 45-48 seconds. A rotating close up of a building- showing Jared Letos name blending in with the building-suggesting he could be a sinister character within the film. What this blending effect suggests/infers will be picked up very easily by the viewer, by setting this situation out, the cinematographer is allowing the viewer to become more involved with the film; which for a focused, mildly intelligent audience (noticing the inference) is very effective in establishing engagement. The use of obviously symbolic shots may be something which i consider using in my film in order to engage the viewer more easily. The only issue with achieving this would be the quality of my film, which i have to work hard to achieve( find best camera/camera setting, learn software techniques, and making sure my shots are steady and clear.)
- 49-55. A long slow rotation- showing a long shot of the massive typography- this time bigger than before, reading the words 'PANIC ROOM'. The capitals obviously infer that it is the title of the film, and also they are used important in ultimately demonstrating the danger portrayed in this film. The use of the powerful capitals and font, alongside the most striking visual of the skyscrapers so far, is an effect which in an alternative manner of course (not many big cities near where i live, as well as them being difficult shots to achieve anyway) i would like to replicate, as it undoubtedly is enjoyed and remembered by the viewer, as well as increasingly engaging them in the undeveloped plot. This film opening has taught me the importance of striking visuals, combined with atmosphere building music- as it has the profound effect of engaging the viewer in the film- despite them knowing virtually nothing about the story-line.
- 56-59. In this time period the music changes- becoming more urgent (moving towards Allegro possibly). Kristen Stewart's name shown in smaller writing in a still high angle shot- arguably suggests her young age, and consequently her vulnerability.
- For the next 40-45 seconds, the same pattern of shots continue. Rather than continuing to show you the screen shots repetitively, it would be more worthwhile summarising the intentions of the repeating pattern of title shots. The high angle stills of the surrounding city are to show the vastness and the mystery possible within this entire film. The rotating high angle shots, could be considered to create the impression that the large bold typography are floating like dark clouds. The floating typography has connotations of danger, through its dark colouring, and the fact that through the illusion of them floating- they seem to be uncontrollably lurking- like criminals in the city.
- 1.42-1.45. The music fades- allowing the viewer to hear Jodie Foster (the main character)- speaking for the first time in the film. Whilst a large low angle still of the sky scrapers seen from a park (the first obvious human inclusive view in the entire film coincides with the first line) - showing David Fincher's name in-front of them, in order to show his imposing influence on this film. The effect of the imposing director credit, is certainly something i hope to emulate in my film as it emphatically would show my influence on the film and would leave the viewer in no doubt to who was important in the film making process.
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