This opening sequence is very much based on special effects and sound; at the very start the background is simple black with pin-pricks of light to represent the abyss that is space- the titles are large and yellow, which makes them stand out and really capture the attention of the viewer. Music (non-diegetic) then comes in a quick crescendo to once again steal the attention of the audience with the sheer power of the orchestral sounds. Titles then show, telling the background story to the film; these move upwards in a strange 3D format which is both original and different; this has become a trademark of the Star Wars films and has helped to create it's iconic status. The music changes tempo at this point; and because the background has not moved, this is the only way we can make any assumptions about the story and its plot. This next surge of music is quieter and more gentle, before the titles finish and another crescendo is blasted at us as the empty part of space we first saw becomes the distant surface of a planet and a rocket blasts above the top of the screen. This is followed by a much larger ship, both are shooting light coloured lasers at one another and some of these flash into the screen. This switches to on board one of the ships but we do not know which it is; there are three robots moving hurriedly down a corridor with a lot of shouting and running going on about them.
All of these things create enigmas because we don't know why there is a chase, we don't know who these people are, and we don't know what the goal is for each of the sides. Concerning micro-elements, mise-en-scene is very simple throughout the opening sequence; it is either all black, (space) with the two rockets and odd planets, or all white (on board the ship) with futuristic styling and background actors all in matching uniform.; this helps establish the sci-fi/thriller/adventure genre, by demonstrating the conventions. It also instantly sets up audience expectations due to the initial conflict matched with the deep and Earthly music score. However, equilibrium has clearly already been broken, but this has been explained in the opening credits, and we are still yet to see the specific place and time of the scene, nowhere but 'space' has been showed to us.
Intro Two: Dorian Gray (2009) (0:00-1:07 minutes)
This opening sequence is one of my favourites because not only is it my favourite film from 2009 but it's so distinct and interesting in how it introduces its protagonist. At first, the screen is mainly black, with a contorted image of someone from their waist up, but without a head. Gentle but sinister music (non-diegetic) is playing as the picture slowly builds up and turns into a genuine shot of the character. He slowly looks up as the music almost comes to a stop, before a louder whoosh of sound accompanies him as he swoops down upon something in front of him, stabs it with a sharp object in his hand and blood is sent seeping over the victim's body and the murderer's. The brief cut to black before the shot of the main character moves to one of the victim's chest, is a feature of this opening sequence which makes it stand out, as it temporarily blinds the viewer. There are then several jumpcuts, which make what we see surreal, as it isn't following in a smooth and realistic manner; the film cuts again to a very small shot of our character putting a chest into a carriage (with an extreme close up of the blood-stained corner), before the carriage moves away. This initial shot of the carriage is at a low angle, in front of the carriage, the shot then cuts to a view from the side of it, as it moves away and our protagonist is left standing on the edge of a very black, and very cold river. Another jump cut, to him standing on a bridge, as he throws the trunk he had with him off into the water, followed by a close up as it sinks into a murky grave.
All these things make Dorian Gray a good opening sequence because it creates many enigmas through its narrow shots of certain objects hiding elements from us, lack of dialogue, and uncommon skips in the line of events. Most of this sequence is also in dark, therefore we see little, however it is clearly established that our plot will be set in a city, and at this point, at night. The main character is obviously introduced and established in these shots and the conventions linked to this thriller/horror genre (i.e. blood, murder, dark city streets) are also very clear and set up audience expectations.
Intro Three: Zathura (2:43-4:40 minutes)
This opening sequences uses a lot of dialogue to establish characters. It starts with a close up of a young boy, watching something, with the diegetic sound of a ball being thrown back and forth. This then cuts to an establishing long shot of a house and its front garden, we see the young boy sitting in front of the house, watching who we assume is his father and older brother playing 'catch' in the garden. Music plays faintly in the background at this point, (non-diegetic sound), lighting is generally very bright as they are outside in the day; this shows us that the story will revolve around this house, these people and this time of day. The little boy gets frustrated with his sibling when he takes a catch meant for him, he runs into the house allowing us to see more of the location for the story.
The use of diegetic sounds and dialogue really brings the viewer straight into the film, focusing their attention on the hostile relationship between the young brothers; creating the first enigma. The close up used at the very beginning also gets us to focus on this character, I like this idea and plan on incorporating it into my own coursework piece. The brightness and simplicity of the house and its garden imply this family is a normal family, or at least appear to be; the lack of non-diegetic sound also gives a strong sense of realism.
Therefore; these clips show basic generic conventions for the thriller genre- darkness (low-key lighting), background simplicity, and tension. However each of these examples are all sub-genres of thriller and therefore harbour conventions more specific to their purpose; our own sequence will be a thriller-adventure and so similar to the final clip 'Zathura'; with lots of high-key lighting but also suspense and underlying tension caused by the relationship between characters, rather then surroundings.
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