Ideas From Movie/ Clip Openings

Ideas from Movie/Clip Openings

Citizen Kane Opening Scene

The name of the movie is edited onto the screen. There is deep/eerie music which creates almost a tense atmosphere. Dark Clouds and colours add to the eerie mood. There is a large gate shown- its bulky which suggests that the owner wants to keep someone out or even possibly in. There is a scary castle in the backgund shown by an establishing shot. All the shots are foggy and dark, and are shown in a montage form. The castle is shown again with one light on that is shown from the outside looking up at the window. We ae shown our first character- a man who dies instantly. The snowglobe in his hand falls to the floor and smashes, this could symbolise his death- his whole life has just been smashed up. A shot is shown through the smashed snowglobe which is a distorted nurse. We are not fully shown the dead mans face as it is hidden by shadows this creates a sense of mystery and wondering who this supposedly powerful and rich man was.

Dark Knight Opening

The shot of a man from behind hides his actual face but shows the clown mask hanging from his hand, this man is almost hidden in daylight. We are shown men on a zipline and there are fast cuts between the shots. The zipline is shown in a high angle shot to show the danger and add suspense. There is loud bangs which adds to the tension, this is joined with the music building up in the background. All the shots are quick to reflect the action that is happening in each of them. The wide shot of the safe helps the watcher understand what is going on in the scene, and when there is the lound clink of metal on the safe it is clear what is going on. The dialogue has helped to establish the joker as a character. Close ups of faces anables the characters reactions to be seen. There is loud noises everytime someone shoots which adds to the affect of danger. 

Exemption (AS Media)

Extreme close up at the very start. Absence of music.  Shot goes to one of blood. Blood is associated with danger- something is not right. The diegetic noise of the loud breathing adds to the suspense this is joined with the nervous tapping. The shot of the tapping hands dhows the guy trying to get the other guys attention. The loud music that starts as the boy stabs the man in the leg creates a jump fright for people who werent expecting it. The way it shows the boy looking for his attacker and the audience only seeing him when the boy sees him was well done.

The First Degree (AS Media)

There is eerie music. Shot of eye in the dark. The way the camera goes in and out of focus reflects on what the boy covered in blood is seeing as he fades in and out of consciousness. The loud footprints adds to the tension, the attacker is coming and the guy cant move any faster than he already is. The blood is a signifier of danger, death and pain. The lack of identity for the bad uy created by not showing his face also adds tension and a sense of mystery.