Assignment 6 – Opening Sequence

AnalysisBy Gledis Dedaj

The Opening Sequence from ‘Gattaca’!

• Genre: Science fiction • How it meets conventions of the genre: The use of images such as body parts and medical

equipment allowthe audience to know that the movie will have

something to do with science.

These different shots tell the audience that the movie is about identity and someone trying to hide theirs.

Finger nail

Human hair

Packets of blood and urine

Font/titles of Gattaca!

• The text/writing in the opening sequence fades in sync with the music.

• The text is small at first- this represents looking through a microscope.

• This links to the Science Fiction genre of the film.

Camera Shots!• The opening sequence consists of mostly close-up

shots and extreme close-up shots.• These extreme close-ups are done to hide the

identity of the character in order to reflect what the film is about- Hidden identity.

•Extreme close-up of hair •The characters face is

always hidden to create mystery and

enigma

•The close-ups give the audience pieces of a puzzle from the movie – this creates enigma.

Camera movement!• The camera movements are very slow and smooth in order to calm the audience and put

them at ease .• The movements flow from shot to shot to

relax the audience.

•The camera moves swiftly and gently along to show the strand of hair.

•The camera moves with him as he slowly shaves.

Sound and Transitions!

• Sound:

• The music is non-diagetic.• Its starts off slow then

high violins come in.• It is very slow pace

throughout the opening sequence.

• After a while the noise of the characters movement can be herd-this is diagetic sound.

• Transitions:

• The images overlap each other and fade into other images.

• No cuts, it keeps flowing.• The minimal movements

from the character and lack of action creates a slow pace

Images!• The opening sequence consists of different shots of

the characters body.

• It shows an experiment going on but its not explained.

• The images are pieces of a puzzle that create enigma.

• From the images we know the film has something to do with the human body.

Trying to hide his identity with a false finger print

•We can be identified through our blood and urine.

•He is using someone else's – trying to hide his identity

The Opening Sequence From ‘Seven’

• Genre: Thriller• How it meets conventions of the genre:It does this by flashing random and disturbing

images.This makes the audience uneasy – common in

thrillers.

•The randomness of the images create enigma for the opening sequence

Camera Shots!• Images overlap each other and fade away in time

with the music.

• Close-ups of characters actions emphasis what it is that they are doing.

• Their face is not revealed, we only see body parts

like their fingers and finger tips.

Narrative and Images!• Narrative:• The character is getting

rid of his fingerprints.

• He wants to hide his identity.

• He doesn’t want to be found.

• Images:• Images of photos and

weird random pictures.

• The images make the audience uneasy.

• They send out a cold medical feel

• Torture instruments and money represent crime, greed and evil.

Editing/Pace and Transitions!

• Editing/Pace:

• The pace is quite slow but the camera shots and flashes of images make it seem a lot faster.

• Transitions:

• Small pieces of information are revealed .

• This creates enigma.

• The overlapping and fading disorientate the audience.

•Fast flash of the title

Special Effects!

• Echoing:

• Ghost trail:

• Flashing:

• Black and white:

• Sepia:

• Slow motion:

> >

Font/titles!

• Hand written

• Appear and disappear

• Flash with tempo of music

• Slanted sideways

>

Opening Sequence from ‘The Ring’!

• Genre: Thriller• How it meets conventions of the genre:Terrifying and thrilling images used to scare the

audience.

Terror in her facial expression

.Common in thrillers and horrors.

Fonts/titles!

• The font appears hand written

• The ‘O’s in the text match the ring of the well in the film

This emphasise the theme of the film.

• The text moves in sync with the music.

Camera Shots!

• Low angle shots to emphasise actions of the character.

• Close-up of her hand on the door knob.

• Close-up of facial expression.

• 15 second long shot creates tension.

Slowly walking up the stairs.

Camera Angles and Movement!

• A low angle of her feet as she walks to the door

• The shot of her feet in the water is an uncomfortable cold image and emphasises fear.

• Fast pace movement.• Quick shots of images moving in time with the

music.• Lots of flashing images.

Transitions and Narrative!

• Narrative:

• The narrative is non-linear.

• There is no real story-line.

• Transitions:

• Everything is included.

• Random images and photos to disorientate the audience and put them in a state of panic.