This document provides an analysis of the opening sequence of a teen drama film. It summarizes the key elements of the mise-en-scene, including the realistic shots and lack of sound at the beginning to build tension. It describes how a medium shot shows the fear on the mother's face as she is mugged and her daughter looks on helplessly. The sequence ends with the train leaving and the killers looking back expressionlessly. Overall the document analyzes how techniques like camera work, editing, lighting and costume are used to create a tense atmosphere and represent the drama and innocence of the genre.

1. Opening Sequence

2. Genre Teen drama Shown through use of realistic shots, showing that it can happen to a real life of teen Challenges conventions as the teen is only seen at the end of the first five minuets. Simple shots are used to show the realism of the genre.

3. Sound At the beginning fairly little sound, which can predict the action that is about to happen within the sequence. Non- diegetic sound shows a train is approaching and helps to set the location. Diegetic sound of people talking, showing its realistic. Music after the shooting is light, soft, suspicous and almost angelic. The music really helps to reflect the mood of the scene and reflects on what has just happened. Non diegetic sound of the phone ringing in the next scene helps the audience to know that the narrative has moved on.

4. Camera Angles, Shots and Movements Many simple shots such as medium, long and close up shots are used to created a sense of realism which reflects the drama. Over the shoulder shot is used to show that the mother is looking for the train to hurry up and we can see in the background we see the two creepy guys approaching. An arc shot was used to show the fear of the mum and the fast pace of the mugging, helped to create a tense atmosphere. Series of medium over the shoulder shots were used to show the fear on the mothers face and the blank expression on the muggers face to show they don’t care. Extreme long shot was used to show the defenceless girl screaming over her mother who has been shot. The shot creates distance showing how the girl now feels so alone.

5. Medium shot was used to show the fear and anguish in the little girls face. Finally the last shot we see of the killers was a pan of the train leaving the station and the men looking back with expressionless faces. A low angle long shot is used to show everything that is going on in the shot and all the people working on the scene. Extreme close up showed an item of jewellery (a wedding ring) which shows the connection between the women and man. A zoom and pan is used to go through a scruffy and drab apartment to show the main actor and where he lives and the comparison to his dads house later on in the film. Camera Angles, Shots and Movements

6. Date is put in the shot to show when the scene is set, its very small so does not take the attention away. Fast cuts were used when the muggers came, to pick up the pace and show that drama is about to happen. After the death happens the scene slowly fades to black to show an end of that year, also that the family is moving on and they are walking away from the bad times. Editing

7. Narrative, Titles and Audience The film is a linear narrative but has a major time change at the beginning of the film. Titles- the letters of the title appear in a random order very soft slow, they move to the left so the shot can be seen and slowly fade. This reflects the drama of the film. The audience for this film would be teenagers/young adults as it is based on the life of two young adults studying work and coping with bad things that happen.

8. Train speeds across the shot in a blur which firstly represents the location. This is seen later on at the end of the scene to symbolize a major scene change. Mother and child at the station at night seems slightly unusual. The little girl has bright blonde hair, wearing a skirt, cardigan, tights and pumps. This gives her the look of innocence which is a convention horror films which means something bad is going to happen to her. The mums leans over to look for the train and immediately the young girl mimics her, showing they have a closeness. Two guys are seen acting suspicious, they are dressed in all black which can show they are up to something bad. Mise en Scene and Representation

9. Mise en Scene and Representation The lighting represents something bad is going to happen. Its dark, moon lit, grey and mysterious. When Tyler is introduced, daylight is shown which represents some life and happiness within the film. Tyler is wearing a red top which so far is the only bright colour the film has had. It brings some happiness and life into the film. He is as a typical young adult, he is smoking, very scruffy, wearing jog bottoms and drinking beer. From this I believe most teen boys can relate to it.