Film Opening Analysis James Hargreaves

The Social Network opening sceneDialogue from Jessie Esinburg’s character is heard over the top of a black screen, as we fade into a medium shot of the two characters. The Director has used Miese en Scene of a pub/bar to create the atmosphere through sound i.e. the background characters talking and drinking as well as the sound of plates and cutlery. Immediately giving as a setting

Mark begins talking about SAT’s, it is clear that these two characters are students. The Camera then cuts to a shoulder shot looking over Mark at Erica, keeping to the 180 degree rule so we don’t loose focus on the dialogue or continuity. Looking at Erica’s facial expressions we can tell that she is slightly confused at Marks direct tone of voice, stubborn attitude and quick fire questions.

It is made aware to us that the two characters are dating, however looking at the Miese en scene we can tell that Mark is not taking the date seriously, he is wearing a grey jumper, possibly reflecting his down beat mechanical personality. His hair is not well kept and could suggest his lack of interest for personal appearance. The scene is poorly lit adding more emphasis on the two main characters, the people in the background become a blur so we are fixed on the tension between Mark and Erica.

Previously for the shoulder shots a medium close up had been used, as soon as the conversation moves on to finals club we cut to a close up to show the characters in closer detail. This is used to add emphasis on the topic of the conversation: clubs in the university which Mark can now apply for. The audience now feel more engaged and are made aware that this is an important part of Mark’s social life in University that will lead him to create Facebook (the focus of the film).

After the two characters bicker for a moment we cut back to a medium close up of Erica, she leans forward as apposed to sitting back and informs mark she is breaking up with him. Mark is not clear at first until he realises and also sits forward. Moving the characters seating positions allows the audience to realise that this is a serious moment in the film and has now set up the issue for Mark to overcome. Throughout the scene music from a band presumably in the bar had been playing, no singing just a simple repetitive beat and strum from a guitar and drum. Not to distract the audience from the dialogue, at this point in the scene the music has begun to fade out, allowing the seriousness of the conversation to become noticed.

Erica reaches forward and grabs Mark by the hand, she informs him that girls won’t date him because he’s an a**hole. She then gets up and leaves. The use of the close up shot on Erica again shows us the importance of what she is saying. The Soundtrack music begins to play as she leaves. This is a very important line in the film, Erica is given a close up to create focus on her character. It also creates the feeling that she is now strong and independent and does not regret the break up what so ever. We the see that Mark is the complete opposite of this and does not take the break up well later on in the film.

As Erica gets up and leaves we cut to a medium shot at a slightly higher angle than the one used before, looking down on Mark as he sits by himself. This could represent how the character is feeling small and slightly insignificant after being dumped. Also Erica is at a higher level to Mark showing her strength in leaving him. This exchange of dialogue between the two characters helps the audience to establish Marks personality, it also places the character with a difficult situation. The audience is now interested on how Mark will deal with the break up.

We cut to a wide shot outside the pub overlooking a large area at night. The Camera pans across the top of the building and onto the street. the production company’s name are shown and then the Director (David Fincher) and then the title of the film. Typical city diegetic sounds such as traffic and car horns are heard over the subtle music. As the camera comes into view of the street we see one figure running down the street and across the road, we can tell its Mark because of his grey jumper. Mark seems distanced from the audience now and is so much smaller than he has been presented in the pub. Perhaps he feels isolated now as he runs back to the safety of his dorm.

After the long establishing shot we then cut to a medium shot panning across following Mark as he runs down an alleyway and then on to a street-lit campus. Mark is the only visible person running in the shot, therefore he stands out also because the camera is following him we are more focused on him as a character. The camera pans round from right to left stopping when Mark’s back is directly facing us. This could represent his choice to ignore any distractions such as other people on the campus and the audience. Adding to his awkward introverted personality, this makes the audience more inclined to find out what he is running back for in such a hurry.

We then cut to a wide shot of the camera panning down from the sky then staying still as we are presented with a building over looking a pathway. In the distance we can see Mark running towards the camera. It stays still until he passes us and then the camera pans around and keeping him in frame. The Campus has numerous students walking round some by themselves some with bikes some with others but all walking, allowing the audience to concentrate on Mark.

After a few more shots of following Mark we are shown this stationary wide angle shot. A student playing the violin can be heard above the films soundtrack and faint talking of the other students passing by. This shot helps to show the life on Campus, expressing the range of talents and skills each person possess in the university. The wideness of the shot helps to isolate the violinist and also give an idea of what it’s like to be a student at university, often feeling alone and isolated in a big wide space. Or in Mark’s case rushing about places to get things done. When Mark does come into closer proximity of the camera he slows down and so the camera then pans round and keeps him in frame.

Another wide angle shot is used as we see Mark running towards us, again as he passes by the camera pans round and follows him as he slows down and walks up to a door. The Directors name is presented here. We are finally given a name and date- Harvard University Fall 2003. Because the film is re-telling events that are factual (the creation of Facebook) it is important that the audience are informed on the location and date. The contrast in scenes from the pub to the campus is illustrated through a number of ways in the opening to this film. In the pub medium and close up shots were used to present the characters and a lively atmosphere was created through the diegetic sound of people. This helps convey Mark’s feelings and emotions, in the pub he feels in control of the situation and relaxed hence the close shots creating an enclosed feeling in the bar. However once Erica breaks up with him the soundtrack begins and we cut to a number of wide shots, he is now alone with no girlfriend. He is surrounded by the wide spaces with the university buildings surrounding him, possibly reflecting the overpowering status work has on students and now Mark is faced with this as well. Over all the opening to this film is strong with its character introductions and hooks for the audience.

Source Code opening scene The First shot of the film is a wide angle establishing shot, looking onto Chicago city, this is a quick and easy way of immediately allowing the audience to recognise the location of the film as well as the time period; judging by the buildings and skyscrapers it is late 2000’s early 2010’s. A blue and grey colour scheme comes across in the Miese en scene, through sky and water with the metallic buildings in the middle. This could suggest the seriousness of the film, no bright colours are shown. Meaning that the genre of this film is possibly going to be action and adventure.

After a few more helicopter shots of the city the non diegetic music begins. It is an orchestra performing a suspenseful piece designed to grip the audience and allow them to know that something is going to happen. This is part of the hook that engages the audience to keep watching, the shots of the city by themselves are not that interesting but set to the music it is far more gripping. Then we cut to another high angle shot overlooking a train traveling through what looks like the outskirts of the city. The audience is meant to feel like they are overlooking the action, at this point there have been no people seen or characters introduced. The train is kept in frame so this allows us to understand it is an important part of the film.

We Cut between the City and the train as the music begins to pick up in pace. As the camera moves between the building the audience are meant to feel like onlookers observing the scene. It is almost as if the music is suggesting something is going to happen and is therefore building the suspense, and the audience are meant to feel like they are surveying the area such as a police helicopter would do. Particularly this birds eye view shot that emphasises how we are above the action, simultaneously separating the viewer from the people and action and making them feel like observers. The grey and faded colours are still visible throughout the whole sequence, adding to the seriousness of the situation.

As the camera tracks in across the lake the train comes into frame. There is diegetic sound from a bird as it flies across the lake and then from the train as it drives over the tracks. This allows the audience to play close attention, a screech of brakes is heard as to help engage the audience. The camera moves towards the train almost placing the audience into one of the carriages. This shot helps us to understand that this is the focal point of the film and now we, the viewer, are going to be placed into the action. The camera is also now at level with the train whereas before like the city scenes it had always been above it. The audience are now about to be placed into the action so they are positioned at the same level to the train so they are both equal.

We then cut to a close up of a man’s face, he is asleep but is showing confused facial expressions. The Diegetic train noises can be heard but there are also faded noises of explosions and radio calls possibly from the army. The transition from the montage of landscape wide angle shots to this close up of a person really switches the mood. All of a sudden the audience aren’t observers any more they have been placed in the middle of the action. We are now interested as to why the man is confused and why there are noises in the background of army personnel

The man wakes up as the train horn goes, there is a woman sitting opposite him and she begins to talk. The man looks dazed, he looks around as the woman continues to talk. A number of close up shots are used to focus on people on the carriage as well as actions such as a drink being opened. The fast paced editing pace and emphasised diegetic sound creates the rushed feel of the scene and creates the sense it is all happening at once. The man begins to look around, we are shown this Point of View shot from his perspective as he surveys the top section of the carriage. We are now meant to experience how the man is feeling, having been thrown into the scene with no exposition or backstory and left to take what we can from the surroundings and make our own assumptions. By going into the POV shot the audience feel more connected to the man and can now see that he is the main character in this film.

The man continues to look around confused and dazed, when asked for his ticket he is unware he had it on him. The Woman addresses him as Shawn to which he does not respond. He then sits forward and tells the woman he doesn’t know who she is, he informs her that his name is captain Colter Stephens and he fly's helicopters for the US army in Afghanistan. This shot is a close up of the two characters at eye level, it is slowly tracking in towards them. There is also faint soft music playing over the top. This is an important part of the film as the man is giving us his character information on who he thinks he is. So the shot is stretched out with no interruptions from other actions on the train, music is introduced again to hold our attention. This change in mood allows the audience to focus their attention on the man’s dialogue, it is also the first part of a long dialogue he has in the film. The opening to this film poses many questions for the audience and allows them to be hooked onto the action.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World opening scene

The Film opens with a narration reading out the words that a appear on the screen, the camera then pans down from the sky showing a mid shot of the top of a house. It is clear that this film is a comedy because of the use of a non- diegetic film narrator talking over the top of the pan. The topic of which he is talking about could also be seen as comedic, as it is not a serious or extremely important subject, however a serious sounding voice has been used to describe it. This immediately gives the audience the situation that will start the film and also allow them to know it is a comedy. This also gives the audience exposition on the location of the film, so they know where it is taking place.

We then cut to a medium shot of 4 people in a kitchen. Looking at the Miese en scene it is clear that this is a group of friends, possibly living together. We know this because of the way they are dressed, casual clothing and not to formal. They all look relatively young meaning that they are most likely friends and not a family, also none of them share any resemblance. The character standing up is Scott, because he is stationed at a higher level to the other characters and not sitting the focus is on him. This indicates that he is the main character of the film, also because his name is in the title.

After Scott opens the door to meet knives (his girlfriend) we cut to a shoulder shot at medium looking over her. Scott introduces her to Stephen and the rest of the band, this is a helpful way of introducing all of the characters. As Scott shows Knives his friends the audience are also informed on some of the main characters. The director has also chosen to add in a black card with the characters name, tagline and age. Not only helping to clarify any extra information but also adding to the comedic style of the film, as this is not normally something that would appear at a characters introduction. Also as the film is based of a graphic novel it would seem like the director is acknowledging the style the book probably had by adding text over the image on screen.

Knives sits down next to ‘Young’ Neil, and they exchange some brief, awkward yet comedic dialogue. The colours in this shot are mostly brown- the lamp, wallpaper and sofa. Neil is wearing a grey t-shirt and knives has a green jumper. This immediately allows them to stand out so the audience can focus on what they are saying. Neil is a slightly awkward character, this is shown through the pace of the editing. The shot is drawn out with little use of cuts in-between. This allows the actor to stretch out the length of his pauses between each word. Adding to the slightly confused personality of the character.

As the band begins to play their music, fast paced editing is used to emphasise the loudness of their style. The camera then cuts to a wide shot of the performers which then tracks further and further away, until the room is at an unrealistic size. The camera stops once it passes Knives and Neil on the sofa watching the band. Perhaps this use of set design stretching out the room is meant to show how Knives is feeling towards the band. Perhaps she is in shock and has literally been ‘blown away’. Or that she feels distanced from them and that Scott has now become a lot more attractive to her now he plays in a band and he is out of her league.

As the credits are displayed a range of different colours and shapes are shown. Anarchic style punk art is shown to match the grunge music that the band are continuing to play. The Director has chosen to match these two together as they both work well, the snappy colours and quick disjointed transition between slides match the fast beat and strong sounding music. It is also a simple but effective way of briefly introducing the actors and other important names behind the film whilst not completely separating itself from the entire film. The opening to this film cleverly introduces the characters to the audience in an obvious yet comedic way, the director hooks the audience by adding references to the original media text, and also includes a wacky but slightly enjoyable song from Scott’s grunge rock band ‘Sex- Bob- Omb’ that allows the audience to question what Knives reaction will be to their music.