Analysing the Opening Sequence of Two Films of Your Chosen Genre

8/4/2019 Analysing the Opening Sequence of Two Films of Your Chosen Genre

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Analysing the opening sequence of two films of your chosen genre

Chosen film: Jaws

Location/setting:

The opening of Jaws is set deep in the ocean on the ocean floor, which gives us aneerie feeling to the location, as water can be associated with death and drowning, and

gives away to the audience that the majority of the film will either be set either near the

sea, or underwater. Later into the opening sequence, the location of the film changes to

a beach setting with the characters around a campfire. This gives us a warm hearty

feeling, and the mood changes instantly which is mirroring the beginning of the opening

sequence where the setting created an eerie vibe.

Lighting:

In the beginning of the opening sequence, the lighting used is quite dark, creating quite

a chilling effect. But contrasting this, throughout the underwater sequence in theopening, you can see some light colours, and some beams of light which are shone

through the sea giving a calm effect. However, we know that the scene isn’t ultimately

calm, as the background music is quite quick and fast-paced and the viewer can tell can

tell that the score music being played in the background, means that something

dangerous is approaching. Further into the opening sequence , the lighting changes to

night time and it is dark, and the characters are surrounding a campfire giving a warm

friendly feeling, however the fact that the scene is set in the night and it is dark, this

contrasts this warm feeling and gives us more of an eerie feeling, and the viewer gets a

feeling that something bad is going to happen .

Colour:

In the opening sequence there are quite calm and neutral colours, and a light blue isalso used, giving us a calm feeling. However this is then contrasted further into the

opening of the sequence of using dark colours such as black, and navy blue to create a

dark scary feeling, and to create suspense, as the colours usually represent that

something bad is going to happen soon.

Dark colours used

throughout the

opening of the

sequence, giving a

creepy feeling, and

reflecting on the genre

of the film.



Props:

Further into the opening sequence props used include:

- Harmonica - I believed that this specific prop was used as music often

symbolises calm and happiness, and again creates a warm vibe. I believe that

the direction of this film did this, so it would be a direct contrast of further into thesequence, when one of the young female characters are killed by the shark,

meaning that the harmonica didn’t create happiness, it ultimately brought

sadness as the character was killed.

- Alcohol and cigarettes – I think that these props were used to show how young

and naive the young characters are, as they believed that these things won’t

harm them and their bodies, and that they are invincible, which is the typical

teenage stereotype. Again this is then reflected later in the scene when the

young girl who thought she was invincible and could do anything is killed.

Shots:

The shots used in the opening of the two minute sequence:

- P.O.V (point of view): this allows the audience to see what the subject is seeing.

In the opening of the sequence, we are seeing from the sharks P.O.V, and can

see everything that the shark is seeing. As a viewer it feels in a way as if you

yourself are the shark, and it makes you want to continue watching the film to

see what is going to happen to the shark and its victims.

Further into the sequence when the victim is actually being attacked, we are

shown a number of different shots including:

- Close up - to show the viewer the victims expression as she is attacked.- P.O.V - used again to show the viewer what the shark is seeing as it attacks his

prey.

- Cut in - a close up of the victims legs are shown, to tell the viewer that the shock

is ultimately going to be attacking her legs.

Harmonica and cigarettes,

being used as props in the

opening sequence.



Sound:

Score music: in the opening of the sequence the ‘Jaws theme tune’, is played which

was made specifically made for the film, and is now known across the world as if the

song related to jaws. The music is fast-paced, and creates tension and suspense

because, as soon as you hear it the viewers automatically know that the shark is about

to attack or is close by. The music when it is played is non-diegetic because the

characters don’t respond to it.

Different shots used in the opening

sequence (from left to right)

- P.O.V

- Close up

- Cut in

Documents

Analysing the Opening Sequence of Two Films of Your Chosen Genre