CM Analysing an opening sequence: Genre, Film Language and Narrative:

Se7en: David Fincher, 1995:

Genre:

• Se7en belongs to a Thriller as its main genre with a sub-genre of psychological horror.
• The audience are completely getting what they expect from a psychological thriller, which is immediately showing a weapon (knife) and also a dead body and blood with a detective trying to work out how this has happened and why and who. Also with the title sequence being shown in montage editing it also demonstrates the distortion of the psychopaths mind who is cutting off his fingerprints and also scribbling in a note book in a crazed fashion.
• The text does conform to the characteristics of the genre, with the detective who is male which is a generic convention of a thriller, also the dead body character which is also highly generic to the genre.

Film Language:

• Mise-en-scene conveys the meaning of this sequence with the weapon of a knife which is immediately setting up the fact that violence is a regular occurrence and will most likely take place in the film. Furthermore the pool of blood, which connotes death, and also murder which is a strong convention of thriller genres. Also with the scribbled in notebook shows unstable and potentially insane man, which again is the normal characters seen in thrillers.
• The camera shot size, movement and angle also conveys meaning with the pedding up to reveal a dead body which connotes mystery of how and why this has happened, slowly revealing to the audience the situation that they have been placed in. Also the low angle shot on Detective Somerset shows a high up role in the film and that he is who the audience will respect during the film, and with a shot size of medium shot on Detective Somerset allows the audience to immediately register him as a character who will be prominent in the film.
• With the title sequence sound anchors the images via having a montage edited piece of film with a sound bridge that is very disjointed and scratchy on the ears. This creates a sense of insanity of the person who the audience are then positioned with during the title sequence.
• Through the dialogue and non-verbal language of the characters you can learn much. For example, Detective Somerset is very calm, collective and thinking as logically as he can focusing on the job saying "Did the kid see it?" (talking about the murder) which isn't caring for feelings of people just getting his job done. Yet Detective Mills runs up the stairs when we first meet him connoting youth as is fit and excited about the situation he is in, this leads towards the notion that he could be very naive and irrational with his way of life.
• Other visual techniques that the director uses are stock locations which are dark, small crampt rooms and also the usual weather of thrillers which is either raining or overcast to again reassert the darkness of the situation the characters are in.

Narrative:

• The form of the narrative is beginning with the character exposition, starting with the main character being established as the audience is positioned with him (Morgan Freeman) Detective Somerset, then going onto the introduction of (Brad Pitt) Detective Mills "I've just arrived in town twenty minutes ago," immediately showing the audience that Detective Mills is new to the area and the job too. Finally the introduction of the psychopaths hands which has set up the three main characters within two minutes.
• The audience is positioned in a linear position to the narrative, by starting where the film begins with the first meeting of the two main detectives.
• The techniques of identification are that the two detective's names are immediately stated to the audience giving them an identity. Furthermore through the police officer saying to Detective Somerset "we'll all be glad when we get rid of you" showing that he is alone until meets his successor Detective Mills. Also at the very beginning Detective Somerset is shown alone in his home which connotes loneliness and alienation at home and at work.
• The major themes in this narrative is death and murder, this is shown through the use of mise-en-scene and dialogue. Mise-en-scene has the dead body and blood, and the dialogue of "the neighbours heard the first barrel then the second" which is talking about a shooting which is murder and death.
• Tension is created by immediately showing that Detective Somerset is carrying a knife which is an immediate finger pointing towards death and weaponry. Also with the pedding up of the dead body is making the audience want to know who it is, who killed him and why did they kill him. Then it cuts to the title sequence which has very sketchy writing which connotes insanity. Also music that is very distorted to demonstrate to the audience something isn't right. Finally the cutting of fingerprints again heightens the audiences wonder at what is about and will happen during this film creating tension through out the opening sequence.

CM Film Noir: Themes

Film Noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940's to the late 1950s.

Film noir is often described as essentially pessimistic that are seen as depicting a world that is inherently corrupt. Classic film noir has been associated by many critics with the American social landscape of the era - in particular, with a sense of heightened anxiety and alienation that is said to have followed World War II.

AT Film Noir Visual Techniques

Visual Techniques: Film noir films often use low key lighting which is lighing that specifically lighting one element. An example of this is venetian blinds effect. This is were we see the light source through the blinds creating a bar effect, also known as banistar rods often cast upon an actor. The use of dramartic shadow paterning helps to obscure characters faces or completley cover their face.

Also the use of dutch angles(cantered angle), low angle shots and wide angle lenses. There is the use of distortion through things such as frosted glass or curved mirrors or other distorting objects. The use of location shooting this involved night for night sequences which has became and still is increasingly frequent in film noir films.

AT Analysis an opening sequence: Representation and ideology, Media Audiences, Institutional context

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)

Representation and ideology

• One of the dominant ideologies shown in the text is that of the 2 children playing in the sand on the beach as this is a stereotype of young children however this is juxta opposed by the man who has been what appears washed ashore. Another value that is held is the power of the man who approaches the man who has been washed up upon the shore with a gun stereotyping he is dominant and is powerful, however his source of power is from his gun.


• The first social group represented is the little children and this is represented by them playing in the sand however they leave and another man enters as move on to the adult people we see in this typical thriller that it is the male who is prioritised in the narrative and generally those who are older as they are seen as of more importance and the children have little significance.
  
• The representation of the children is represented by what they are doing and there location the same goes for the other characters as the buildings appears to look like a fort. The clip is an asynchronous narrative and therefore shows the very end of the film although it is not apparent.

Media Audiences

• The target audience for this film is leaned more towards males due to its sub category of action, however appeals to alot of other audiences such as art house due to the other category of mystery being a more niche audience. The ratting for the film is a 12 so limits it being a family film and establishes the content within.
  
• A possible audience reading of the text is that the man washed upon shore is lost and as he meets this other man he is reminded of where he is and why he is there. Another way of reading the text is that these 2 men are enemies as the man says " have you come to kill me" leaving us on a cliff hanger as to why he says that which is later explained in the film.
  
• The way in which I read this text and evaluate it is that the man washed ashore is lost and looking for someone, then he is reminded of why he came here and what his purpose is then the flash back tells us the story before to build up to the end. The way in which my background affects this reading is coming from a 17 year old boy I perceive the situation in a different way in which a female would as it is more to my liking of the genre of the film and therefore can appreciate the text more. My age means I'm old enough to understand the text alot more and can interpretate it alot better compared to that of a younger mind they may not be as comprehensive as i am however may have some of the same age as more with a higher comprehensive level which means age doesn't always determine your knowledge and understanding. Coming from a middle class background means that I'm more likely to be in a higher education however strictly speaking this is not always true and therefore its is not only about this factors alone that will separate the way I read and evaluate this text it is all of them combined.

Institutional Context

• The star in this film is Leonardo Dicaprio. This is important in this film as he is a very bankable star which will help make the profitability of the film increase, he is well known for this genre and therefore people perceive that he has a set standard to his work. Another star used in the film is Michael Cane, he is considered a big star and very versatile in his work, known internationaly like Dicaprio also helps to increase the film's profitability. There is a star you would not expect to find in this genre and that is Ellen Page. She featured before in the film Juno(Jason Reitman, 2007), a teen rom-com, a very different genre compared to thrillers however she to appears to be very versatile in her work and suits the role perfectly.
  
• Warner bros produced this film Inception, this film is an industrial film which is reinforced by the fact it was produced by warner bros. a big media conglomerate this is why it was able to get funding for this film and allowed the backing off the bankable stars.
  
• One of the main stratergies used to market the film was to put huge posters in the city of New York covering sides of sky scrappers. This was a clever technique as helped to show the scale of this film and the hype about it as it was rumoured about how the film was on the verge of not being made due to the concept of the film.


• The institutional context is evident in the opening through the mise-en-scene of the clip as it is in an exotic location with the beach shot with this palace in the background supporting the fact about having a big budget to have all these wonderous locations plus further in the film the CGI used is outstanding and is defenitally due to the institution.

SH Analysis of an Opening Sequence 1

Dexter (2006 - present)

The opening sequence for the TV series 'Dexter' shows the protagonist's morning routine, but the techniques used to shoot the sequence implies that the character has a mysterious evilness about him.

Film Language and Narrative: The narrative for this sequence is linear as it follows the protagonist through his morning routine from him waking up to leaving his apartment. It is also a character exposition, as the character is introduced and his personality is implies. The audience is positioned with Dexter, who we identify as the protagonist as he is the only character in the sequence and the camera follows his actions. However, Dexter is only revealed fully at the end of the sequence, which creates a mysteriousness about him. Extreme close-ups are used in this sequence to show the actions Dexter takes during his morning routine, and connotes a sinister theme to these actions. At the beginning, a mosquito is shown in a close-up shot, and then the scene cuts to a longer shot so that Dexter's face comes into the frame. He slaps and kills the mosquito and smiles, which already connotes something sinister about him as he takes pride in killing it.

The title 'Dexter' is then shown in a capitalised, red font which is in the centre of the shot, and a small amount of blood splats next to it, connoting a theme of horror and murder. Dexter then begins to shave, extreme close-ups shows his fingers running down his cheek and him beginning to shave. He cuts himself, and the blood is shown firstly trickling down his chin and then falling into the sink, which then spreads the blood. A tissue absorbs the remaining blood, and the shot is filled with the blood being absorbed. This entire scene connotes a theme of horror and a sinister aspect of the protagonist.



Dexter continues his morning routine which is mostly shot through extreme close ups and close ups. He cuts through ham with a knife, carelessly throws it into a frying pan and an extreme close up of his mouth shows him eating it in a carnivorous and bestial way, portraying an image of a savage animal.

Dexter then fries an egg and eats it, all shot at extreme close ups. He adds ketchup, which appear like spurts of blood, further connoting his sinister but hidden nature.

Coffee beans are then shredded in a compression of time, so that the audience can clearly see the blades cut through the beans, further conveying a murderous image.

Dexter then squeezes the coffee out of the machine, and a close up of the bubbles are shown, implying a 'murder scene' of drowning as the bubbles rise. Dexter the squeezes the juice from a fruit, which connotes another bloody mess as the remains of the fruit are shown.


He then prepares a string to floss his teeth, but the extreme close-up implies that it could be something more sinister such as a garrote, but the next shot relieves the tension as he uses it on his teeth. Dexter ties his shoe laces in the next scene, but the extreme tension he puts on tying them connotes a violent side to him.

The sequence finishes with Dexter finally being revealed, as he pulls over his white T-shirt and appears to gasp for air, locks his door and smiles directly at the camera for a prolonged period of time to create an enigmatic character who may have dark secrets.

The sound throughout this sequence is mainly non-diegetic, as the music is prevalent and is slightly odd, with elements of happiness through the use of the major key notes. The music connotes that something is strange about Dexter, and is also upbeat which contrasts the actions depicted, which also creates a sense of abnormality in the situation.

The diegetic sound is less prevalent, and is made by the use of the props, such as the sizzling frying pan or the noise of the Dexter chewing the ham. These sounds add to the sinister nature of Dexter's morning routine, by exaggerating what they are. The music is sometimes in synch with the actions, for example the crash of a cymbal can be heard as the egg is cracked.

The major themes of this sequence can be read that Dexter is living a normal life but has a sinister secret which is connoted by the everyday actions he takes which are made to look sinister and murderous.

Tension is created in this sequence by the introduction of props, through the use of mise-en-scene, as extreme close ups (for example Dexter pulling his shoe laces), but the audience not knowing what the props are or what action Dexter is going to take with the prop. Tension is also created when Dexter stares into the camera, appearing to look directly at the audience which creates an uncomfortable scenario for the audience.

Dexter appears as a working - middle class male, as he wears a casual shirt and has his own apartment. The sequence is quite masculine, perhaps as it follows a masculine character. This is evident through the use of sound, non-verbal language and props, as Dexter tightens his shoe lace his bicep can be seen tensing. Also, when Dexter eats the ham it is in a bestial way, which connotes a more masculine tone to the sequence. Therefore the representation of a working-middle class male is that they are masculine, and as Dexter is the protagonist it represents that protagonists of thriller TV series are predominantly masculine males.

SH Analysis of an Opening Sequence 2

The Number 23 (Schumacher, 2007)

Genre: This film is a psychological thriller, as it creates suspense and tension but also incorporates elements of mystery and drama to make it psychological. In this opening sequence, a sense of mystery is conveyed as the audience does not know what is happening, as this sequence is a montage of text which appears to be written by a type-writer.

The opening sequence of this film conforms to the genre of a thriller, as the actual text changes and jump cuts are used to move from one piece of text to another which shows the sequence in an abrupt way and creates a sense of abnormality.

Also, the patches of red blood which appear connote a sense of horror or murder, which further conveys the thriller aspect of the film and possibly a sub-genre of horror. The opening is a title sequence, and focuses on the number 23 as it is displayed in almost every shot and is the film's centres around a character who is dangerously obsessed with the number. The numbers are accompanied by historical facts related to the number 23 and also the actors and some of the crew names, which are in slightly larger and bolder font than the other text, or appear in red rather than black to make them stand out so the audiences attention is focused on them.

Generic expectations of this film are fulfilled in this opening audience, as thriller elements such as the fast cutting rate and patches of blood convey this genre, and the repeated showing of the number 23 creates a psychological aspect.

The target audience for this film is mainly adults aged 18-50, as it contains scenes which are inappropriate for younger audiences, and also appeals to the adult audience as psychological thriller require the audiences to be engaged with the film, as this film contains plot twists and a elements of mystery.

The opening sequence does not reveal many hints about the plot itself, but does connote a sense of mystery and a possible theme of horror and obsession through the repeated use of the number 23 and the blood patches, which is what the audience is likely to read by viewing this opening sequence. It conveys an enigmatic plot from the beginning, which will appeal to the adult audience as they will see the film to discover the mystery.

As a British teenager, my age and background may influence my reading of the text. However, in this sequence I do not believe it does as no social groups or characters are revealed, so my views on class, gender, race, sexuality or any other detail of a character which may differ from other audiences, cannot be conveyed. My reading of the text is the same as other audiences likely readings.

The Number 23 stars Jim Carrey, who is a famous bankable star but usually appears in comedy films. This is an interesting cast for the production company, as he is not famous for appearing in thriller films, but this may still attract financiers and audiences as he is a famous actor nonetheless.

The film had two trailers released on television and cinemas and was on widespread release for only 35 days, and it was mostly unsuccessful with critics which discouraged audiences to see it.

The film was produced by New Line Cinema, which is currently a subsidiary of Warner Bros and Time Warner, which makes The Number 23 an industrial film, as it was produced by a conglomerate-owned company, rather than an independent film.

This institutional context is partly evident in this opening sequence, as the bankable stars name appear, and some special effects were used as the text appears and disappears, changes colour, and the blood patches appear in specific patterns.

The opening sequence may have been entirely computer generated, which connotes that the film is an institutional film, as many independent films may not have the funding or access to the computer equipment needed to produce this sequence.

SH Film Noir: Characters

Characters: The characters in a film noir are generally morally unstable and ambiguous, with stock characters including a 'tough' detective, the 'femme fatale', police forces and criminals each with their own moral ambiguity and corruption. The 'femme' fatale' is iconic to film noir, as she is represented in a sexual way which may be a regressive representation, but use their 'charms' to 'catch the hero's gaze' but eventually double-cross them. This can be seen as a progressive representation of woman as she usually out-smarts the hero and can be seen with a gun, which is unconventional for other film genres.

feedback #1

Well done - this is a very promising start, particularly the collaborative use of the blog through commenting. You have chosen some very interesting opening sequences and there are technical observations on some. Through your comments I can see that you are thinking about conventions and what would be appropriate to use, however for each of the three genres I would expect to see an analysis of the generic conventions (see my comments).

Group: Genre Research 2: Thriller Timeline

M (1931, Lang)

An early thriller film that centres around an intense police search on a serial killer who is murdering children, and other lesser criminals start to aid the police to end is killing spree. This film is an early representation of a thriller film revolving around a crime and has inspired other thriller films to do the same.

Psycho (1960, Hitchcock)

'Psycho' is a psychological thriller film which features the famous 'shower scene', and raised the standards of thriller films at the time of release, as it created suspense and tension throughout.

Silence of the Lambs (1991, Demme)

A thriller/crime/horror film starring Anthony Hopkins, in which a young FBI trainee must confront and seek advice from an imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lector, so that she can catch another serial killer. The film's iconic character of Hannibal Lector incorporates horror into the thriller genre.

Seven (1995, Fincher)

The film depicts a hunt for a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins to portray his murders. The films use of dim-lighting and brutal murders creates an intense and suspenseful experience for audiences.

The Dark Knight (2008, Nolan)

Bruce Wayne (Batman) continues his fight against crime in Gotham City, but a new threat emerges a psychopathic criminal known as the Joker causes chaos in the city. This film creates a darker image for protagonists, antagonists and their rivalry and deviates to become more of a thriller film than earlier 'Batman' films.

Group Genre research 2 :

Genre Development:

Genre: is a type of category or media product

Rick Altman Genre :-

- Blueprint

- Label (name of catergory central to the decisions)

- Contract (Making a contract with the film as they expect to see that genre represented

How we should develop our idea is to start off big with whole idea for the film then think about how we would introduce that and represent the events that are likely to occur in our opening.

Development:

1. Genres have a recognised protagonist


2. Archetype characters (Hero, Villan)


3. Stock Characters (minner roles e.g. bond girls)


4. Plot and stock situations predictible and recognisable


5. Iconography(object, location or stars take a meaning e.g. the ring in Lord Of The Rings


6. Themes

Group: Genre Discussion?:

I think that we should choose to do the genre of Thriller. As is easier to accomplish some of the genre traits than doing a horror, for example, we can easily show a killing with a hooded figure appearing from in a dark room and then murdering a person working at their desk. This is easier to represent rather than having a teen drama were lots of characters are needed to represent the common stereotypes within a school situation. Yet I am open to the idea of a horror as is also able to be shot well, for example a man walking through a dark area such as woods, with an axe dripping with blood and a collapsed body behind him lying down by a tree, who we think he has just killed or something?

AT Genre Research 1: Thriller

Watchmen (Zach Snyder, 2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXLfTv42T8A&feature=related

The film is a Thriller/Action/Crime/Fantasy

Camera Techniques:

• The use of a MCU of one of the main characters right at the start at the movie establishes who we are positioned with.
  
• Then a slow track in on the TV screen of which he is watching shows that he is focused in on the TV.
  
• Use of a high angle on the man in his dressing gown which is followed by a CU to show his facial expresions, however he appears to not be fazed by the other mans appearance.

Editing:

• The use of expansion of time to slow down the fight between the two adding more suspense and action.
  
• The man in the dressing gown known as the 'Comedian' is driving the cuts from the very start as we get a MCU of him sitting on the sofa smoking a cigar then it cuts to what he is looking at also when he is fighting the other man he punches through a wall and it cuts to the other side to see his hand go through.
  
• The use of a soft focus to show the subjects shadow at the door helping us to see what he is looking at.

Mise - En - Scene:

• The whole opening sequence is set in the "Comedian's" appartment and seems to have a dull colourwash to help reinforce the time of day.
  
• The room is not lit very well and therefore creates a sense of mystery when we see the shadow upon the floor.
  
• The setting helps reinforce the genre of a thriller as it is a idealistic place to hold a fight where some one breaks in adding the mystery of why the man breaks in.

Sound:

• The music in the background is in such a contrast with the opening scene as it is relaxed and slow whereas the fight is quite quick and is over within a minute. This helps to notice what has happened him sitting alone watching TV then someone breaks in and kills him represents the irony of it all.
  
• Selective sound used on the punches and smashing to reinforce the sub genre of action also to help us identify what our main focus is with it competing with the music of the song.
  
• There is only a few lines of dialogue however this is effective as it doesnt give alot away about why this is going on instead leaving you on a cliff hanger as to why he was killed.

AT Film Openings: Thriller

Casino Royale (Martin Campbell, 2006)

• Establishing shot as shown in picture below of the building plus the use of subtitles to help position the audience

• Different use of shot angle on the man getting out of the car and when going up in the elevator


• The music used helps to create suspense


• Main character of the film spoke first thus identifying him


• Use of flash backs


• Lighting helped to create mystery as shown in picture below due to a shadow covering half of his face

CM Genre Research 1: Horror

Saw III: Darren Boulsman: 2006:

•  The genre of "Saw III" is Horror.
• The camera technique used is of a Medium Close Up, with the composition of the shot focusing on the man's facial expression of pain. The camera is positioned at high angle in order to position the audience in the idea they are watching a game of someone being tortured. 
• Also the iconography used of a tiled floor represents a prison, which can be seen as captivity. Furthermore the prop of the gun suggests death which is a crucial element of any horror and establishes that genre immediately.

SH Genre Research 1: Teen Drama

Adventureland (2009, Mottola) [0:00 - 2:34]

This film is an example of a teen drama, which also has elements of a comedy as a sub-genre.

• There are many conventions of teen dramas which allow audiences to recognise the genre. These include stock characters, such as the popular character (the 'jock'), the 'rebel', the characters love interest and the socially awkward character or the 'nerd'. Stock locations are also used, which include high schools, locker rooms and house parties.

• The camera shot to introduce the main character is a MCU, which shows him staring at the girl, before speaking to her. The camera is also tracking in, to make the shot a CU. For teen dramas, there are many stock characters that are used and are easily recognisable by the audience. In this sequence, the main character can be seen as the socially awkward teen, as he only socialises with his two friends, and stares at the girl before speaking to her. This is a conventional character in teen films, as the audience immediately and maybe subconsciously recognises him.
  
  

• The shot-reverse-shot technique is used to show the beginning conversation, which reveals the two characters ending their relationship, which is a common subject in teen dramas.


• The alcoholic drinks (props) and the house party set is a typical setting for teen films.
  
  
  
• The music continues through the opening credits and the scene itself as the music at the party. The music is upbeat and is appropriate for the time period the film is set in.

CM Film Openings: Horror

Saw III: Darren Bousman: 2006:

• Having blackness surrounding the shot symbolises the unknown and towards humans that is recognised as fear.
• The facial expression of pain shows both fear and terror, reinforcing the horror genre.
• The use of a gun represents a cause of death, again supporting the horror theme.
• Tiled floor represents a prison which is can suggests imprisonment and captivity.

SH Film Openings: Teen Drama

Juno (2007, Reitman)

• This opening sequence establishes the main character, a teenager, and shows her walking through a cartoon street.
• This implies that she is still young, as she sees her life as a cartoon and is not ready to become pregnant, which is the situation the film focuses on.

Film Openings: Teen Drama

SH Adventureland (2009, Mottola):

• Opening credits are simplistic as it is a drama, however the film title 'Adventureland' has bright lettering which stand out.
• '1987' - setting of the film.
• The first shot is a CU of a teenager who is also the first character to speak. This establishes the teenager as the lead role.
• House party, alcohol, loud music - establishes the set as a typical teen setting

CM Film Openings: Horror

Sorority Row: 2009, Stewart Hendler:

• Immediatly begins with the idea of death, both faked and then a stabbing at the end of the opening sequence. This shows us that in order to establish the genre early in our film opening we will need to include a key feature such as death if we are doing a horror.

AT Film Openings: Thriller

Valkyrie(Bryan Singer, 2008):

• Establishs the events that will unfold in the film



• Represents which country their from through the opening credits (as shown in the picture the word 'Valkyrie' written in german.)



• The opening sequence identifys the main character



• Subtitles to tell us where we are positioning audience



• Realism of the representation of German Language through dialect in German