Similar Product Analysis – Film Openings

Snatch (2000)

Writer: Guy RitchieDirector: Guy RitchieGenre: Crime-Comedy

Characters in the opening two minutes:The title sequence begins inside a getaway van of four characters disguised, escaping a bank robbery. A closeup is shown of a large diamond, the camera then spins anti clockwise, transitioning to the next shot, this suggests that the film ‘revolves’ around the diamond. The first two minutes of the film consist of meeting with the main characters, the antagonists and protagonists. The scene is very fast paced with characters having no more than 6 seconds of screentime, a fast paced sequence attracts the audience, engaging their attention and capturing all the information in a short span of time. This sequence concentrates more on the characters of the film.

The transitions between characters show various objects being transferred to each character, in terms of: gold, chips, playing cards and even a gun. This relates with the comedic/crime genre of the film, showing props that help set the tone or mood of the film. The comedic aspect shows characters reacting with one another in very cartoon like or goofy ways. Also the music creates a funky, fun or even an energetic aspect to the sequence.

The introduction of characters consist of only the characters names names, focusing more on the characters rather than the cast that play them, additionally the crew are not mentioned either. The use of alliteration is used frequently to describe the characters, examples include: Franky four fingers, Bullet-tooth Tony, Gorgeous George and Boris the Blade. The film contains an ensemble cast, meaning that each character shows great importance and contribution to the plot, this is proposed as each character has almost the same amount of screentime shown. The freeze framing concept is inspired by retro boxing posters. The colours were chosen and were made desaturated to add an aged feeling. The typography was based on a range of fairly heavy, bold fonts and then redrawn by hand to show intentional imperfections. This gives a grungy and distressed looking edge of the film. No dialogue was used by characters so the audience visualizes more on the facial expressions and body language, how the character interacts with the environment.

Settings within the film opening:The audience will understand the meaning of the setting as the film being set within ‘every day’ life. For example Cousin Avi is seen in an office, Mickey is shown inside the caravan that he lives in, Franky four fingers gambling in a casino as he is addicted to gambling and Vinny inside a pawn shop since he is the owner. All these locations

present an ordinary lifestyle, as they don’t present themselves to be anywhere special or fantasy like, we are familiar with these settings.

Camera Shots in the opening scenes:Various shots are used although they focus more around mediums to medium close ups. Also the use of perspective shots, examples include the perspective of the victim being put into the trunk of Bullet-tooth Tony and also the secret compartment of the Boris the Blade’s gun compartment. The use of match on action to transition between the characters, passing around various objects, the editor does by cuting from one shot and begins the next shot where the action is paused, this suggests that each character has some sort of relationship between each other. Jump cuts are also used to emphasise the fast paced action of the sequence.

How the first two minutes engage the audience and set up the narrative:The title sequence captures the audience as it is fast paced and the lack of narrative keep the audience wanting more, the anticipation keep the audience in their seats. No dialogue is shown so only visual communication is given, the audience becomes involved in the fast paced scenes and captures all the information in a short span of time. The sequence sets up the narrative by showing the diamond, suggesting to the audience that the diamond is the centre of the plot. Since it is established that four characters are getting away from a bank, the movie continues from that scene, driving the plot forward. Intriguing questions maybe asked by audience, such as: “What happens next?”, “Will they get caught?” or “How do the other characters play a part in this plot?”.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

Writer: Simon Pegg, Edgar WrightDirector: Edgar WrightGenre: Horror-Comedy

Characters shown in the sequence:From the begininng of the sequence, the audience witnesses a variety of people working in mundane, dead end jobs. A supermarket worker is seen pushing a number of shopping trolleys. The next number of shots show grouped people acting in sync: the super market cashiers scanning items, working men waiting at a bus stop to check their phones and a group of people walking down a street. All the extras are shown doing the same action at the same time, the director has done this to emphasise the zombie aspect, having these workers go through the same routine day in and day out with vague facial expressions and also showing weary body language. They are considered extras because they only receive five seconds of screen time each, the lack of information used to introduce them and the extras shown in large groups enforce this. Although the next shot shows a child playing football by himself outside on a street. This shows the audience that the younger generation have not been affected by stress or exhaustion. The audience then meets our protagonist in the next shot, Shaun. However at first glance only a pair of stumbling legs and a shadow is seen, as the camera pans up a tired moan is heard. The director has done this to trick the audience, suggesting that Shaun is a zombie before his face is revealed at the end of the pan, this is irony. The next shot features our supporting character, Ed. He is seen playing video games whilst Shaun joins him, the audience understands they have a close relationship with each other and that the two characters live with each other. The only dialogue the audience hears during the scene is Ed asking Shaun “Haven’t you got work?”. This again helps reinstate the idea of the general public already being zombies.

Setting within the film opening: The setting shown during the opening sequence helps the audience understand that the film is set within ‘everyday life’. Locations that are familiar to the audience or the majority of the general public, such as: supermarkets, bus stops, streets and finally a living room. This helps the audience empathize with the movie and creates a relationship between the audience and film within only the first minute of the movie. They are presented as ordinary and don’t show any settings to be special or fantasy like.

Camera shots used in the opening scenes:A combination of mediums to longshots are used in the opening sequence. These are used to help the audience identify the location and also focus on the clothes of the extras. Establishing the fashion sense of the extras help understand their social class, especially when uniform is shown particularly in the supermarket scenes. Although when Shaun is introduced, his legs are first shown using a low angle shot, this type of shot is typically used in horror movies and usually used in

introducing the antagonist. The audience looks up the antagonist and makes him seem more physically frightening. Also the editor uses the match on action by hiding the cuts with an object crossing the frame. Objects such as: poles and cars. This term is usually referred to as the ‘invisible cut’.

How the first two minutes engage with the audience and set up the narrative: The bright lighting during the scenes tell the audience the film is not an extremely terrifying movie, compared to other movies that revolve around zombies. The settings reinforce this idea as supermarkets at mid day is uncommon when introducing films that belong to the horror genre. There is no sign of zombies within the first two minutes so the audience understands that this is most likely before the unfortunate event where everyone becomes undead. The audience is engaged as they anticipate when the event occurs, this sequence sets up the narrative introducing the mood of the film and also introducing the two main characters, Shaun and Ed. When Shaun moans it could act as foreshadowing, suggesting that the character may turn into a zombie. Also, the music is an important aspect. The track is very cleverly mixed, capturing moods of joy and creepiness. The intruments used are commonly recognisable as the ones used in horror movies but are playing a more light hearted melody.

Chef (2014)

Writer: Jon FavreauDirector: Jon FavreauGenre: Comedy-Drama

Characters in the opening two minutes:The sequence begins inside a restaurant kitchen. The scene is quite dark and a chef is seen flicking switches to turn the lights on. Then, various scenes show preperation in the kitchen done by chefs. We see quick close ups of the chef’s knife set being unfolded, stoves being lit, garlic being crushed and olive oil being drissled on the pan. Only at the thirty second mark of the sequence is our main character seen by the audience. The chef is then seen performing various chef duties. Quick and precise cuts of ingredients are shown to illustrate the class that a chef posseses. The aim of the director is to show the job and lifestyle of a chef, being very hands on and well time managed. There is a swift shot of Chef looking away whilst he is cutting a zucchini rapidly at the same moment, this proves to the audience that he is confident and well experienced. Also the character is the only one seen working in the kitchen showing that he is early and that his position is high in the industry. Our supporting character comes into frame in the next shot, Martin, who is seen carrying a full grown pig. Martin is shown taking orders from our first character on how to position and cut the pig suggesting to the audience that Martin works under him. The main chef then engages with Martin in a conversation, he states he needs to visit the farmers market to pickup ingredients and asks the time, Martin replies with “Ten-ish…”. The chef then exclaims “Ten?! I gotta’ pick up the kid, where’s Tony?”. This particular line introduces our third character. Martin replies with “Tony went out late last night.”

The next shot follows Chef on the way outside, rushing without his uniform on, putting casual clothes (T-shirt, shirt, jeans and glasses). He bangs on a car revealing Tony who is sleeping in the driver’s seat, again, the director is showing the exhausting job that a chef does. Tony wakes in shock replying with “Yes chef!”, our main character’s name has not been identified, this suggests to the audience that he is in charge, perhaps the executive chef. They then become involved in a conversation, Chef tells Tony that “We got a critic coming in today.” The quick respones shows all our characters that there is chemistry and comfort between each other. Also cracking jokes help show trust and confindence in each other. The scene ends with Chef stating “We got the pig”, “Lechon!” Tony replies. Lechon refers to pork dishes, presenting the vocabulary of the chefs.

Setting within the sequence:The setting in the film immediately tell the audience that the film is based in a chef work space, a kitchen. The setting shows a wide range of equipement and utensils well organised. From pots, pans and ingredients to chopping boards, oil dispensers and trays. What is note worthy is the stove in the setting is unique and show a very different design compared to ordinary household stoves. The kitchen is also very neat and tidy, displaying the cleanliness of a chef. The workstations

don’t present to be familiar with the audience, they may be common to those that work in the food and beverage industry. Although the second half of the movie is presented at a completely different setting, a food truck, this helps the audience see how the chef works outside his comfort zone and the restaurant kitchen setting provides a good base for the movie to begin with. Additionally, Tony is introduced sleeping in a car and explains that he slept because a critic was visiting the restaurant. This presents a chef’s dedication and also the working hours.

Camera Shots used in the opening scenes:Mainly two types of shots are presented during the opening sequence. Mediums and close ups, although there is also the use of medium close ups. Close ups are used to display actions done by the chef, such as: igniting the stove, stirring pots and chopping ingredients in varied ways. Mediums are used to show the chef, although the director has used the use of close ups to show importance to the activity that’s being done. Also the use of jump cuts help the audience determine that the chef is performing all these throughout a long period of time. They are also used to add a sense of urgency

How the first two minutes engage witht the audience and set up the narrative:The music help emphasise the jump cuts and fast paced action. The upbeat melody tell the audience that the film is positive and has a feel-good vibe. Chef, Tony and Martin are introduced, the audience is also introduced the dedicated and concentrated lifestyle of a chef in just the first minute, dealing with different stages. From chopping to butchery to cooking, in just the first minute of the film. The concentration from our character is shown from their body language and facial expression. It sets up the narrative as the audience finds out that the restaurant is dealing with a critic later on and anticipation builds on tackling the service and judgement of the critic.