C:\Users\Dynamite Dilly\Documents\As Media Studies\Reservoir Dogs Opening Sequence Essay
Transcript of C:\Users\Dynamite Dilly\Documents\As Media Studies\Reservoir Dogs Opening Sequence Essay
Reservoir Dogs
Use of Camera
At the start of Reservoir Dogs, the people are all static and not doing
much movement, as they are just sitting around a table having a
conversation. This creates movement from the camera to keep the
scene exciting and entice the audience, as it is vital to keep the
audience gripped at the opening sequence of a movie. To keep the
audience’s attention the camera moves around the table to each
individual character, as without the movement of the camera the
shot wouldn’t b e very intriguing and not be showing much more but
men sitting around a table, which is not a very exciting opening. The
movement of the camera is also extremely essential to us, as it
establishes all of the characters and gives the audience an insight of
each individual’s personality, for example, we are giving an indication
that Harvey Keitels character has authority, is confident and may be
a leader, as the camera angle is focused upon him when he speaks,
and does not move around a lot, like it does for characters, such as
Quentin Tarantino’s, who might not play a big role in the film. Even
though we have only seen five minutes of the film, the camera angle
helps us have an understanding of what the characters are going to
be like later in the movie.
Sound/Editing
At the very first second of the scene we hear the movement of
cutlery or plates, which gives us an idea that the scene is in a diner or
restaurant. There is not much other sound in the opening sequence
apart from lots of dialogue between the men on the table. The
dialogue is humorous and casual, which makes the audience feel
shocked, as the stereotype of a criminal is not talking about casual
things but to be planning the robbery. This makes the audience not
know that they are robbers and does not give them the indication
that they are going to commit a crime. After the cafe the scene cuts
to them walking as a group outside, with slow tempo and upbeat
music, which matches their style of walking and the posture of being
cool and composed. There is not much editing in the scene, as the
concentration is mainly on their dialogue and there is no need for
them to cut anything, as the director wants the audience to see how
normal these men are, making it seem strange for them to be
criminals.
Mise-en-scene
The scene begins in a cafe with conversation around a table full of
men. We are not aware of where the cafe is and we don’t have much
of an insight of what the characters are going to do. The enigma is
not shown and all we can see is them having a casual and humorous
conversation. All the characters are dressed the same in a black suit
with a black tie, making them seem like they are in some kind of cult
or group organisation. Only two of the characters are not wearing
the uniform, which makes them seem separate from the group or
they could have more authority than the others and make the
commands. All the characters are happy to leave a tip, apart from
one of them, which gives us an idea of what is character is like, which
is very selfish and thinks solemnly of himself before others. The cafe
scene cuts to outside, where we are introduced to all the characters
in more detail, as they walk in slow motion, which is essential in
showing the difference between all of them and their characteristics.