This is my opening sequence analysis for the film "Moon"

1. Moon Opening Sequence
Analysis
Jack Halford

2. Genre
Film Genre
- sci-fi
How is this displayed in the opening sequence?
- Space (shots of moon/sun/Earth/space/moon base)
- Technology (Robots/moon buggy/giant robot moon buggy/spaceships)
- Sun Flares
- Astronaut and space suit
- Colour (white, grey, metallic, dark colours)
- Sans-serif font
- Non diegetic music
- Diegetic
- Films narrative (typical plot of future crisis solved by a magical space
solution which definitely cant go wrong…)

3. Narrative
The title credits are integrated into the opening sequence rather than having their own title
sequence and this gives the audience an insight into the world in which the film is set. The
‘Lunar Industries” advert is used to give information upon the narrative and implies the plot of
the film. The advert tells the audience the problems of the world and its past energy crisis
before presenting HE3 which is supposedly a ‘golden energy’ that will power the world and
provide unlimited energy. This causes an enigma as it doesn’t look like anything can go wrong.
The location and character engage the audience immediately, the mundane, monotonous robot
along with the rugged spaceman conveys to the audience that the man has been there for a
long time and knows what he is doing. We are also given information about the duration of his
job so we know he's going to be there for a long time. We are also told that he works for the
company who created the advert that is shown at the beginning of the sequence.
The moon base itself tells the audience that this is going to be a more realistic and gritty sci-fi
film because instead of having the typical futuristic style which has everything being shiny and
amazing looking technological things it is a practical, grimy design.
From the astronauts facial expression and body language the audience is made aware of the
fact that the astronaut is living a monotonous life on the moon in which he does the same thing
every day and has done since he got there and will do until he leaves. This is also reinforced
through the robots monotone, lifeless voice.

4. Titling
Font/size
White, sans serif (looks modern which matches with the futuristic genre.) Shadows
and reflections reflect genre and also allow the titles to become part of the film
world. The colour of the text changes to match the setting on the screen (e.g.
outside or on a wall).
Positioning
The titles are angled and sized to fit into the setting, for example on the running
machine. The positioning of the titles makes it look as if the titles are actually within
the film world and not edited in afterwards The films title “Moon” appears in the
centre of the frame and takes up the majority of the frame too
Movement (of title)
The title ‘moon’ fades in and out over a shot of the moon itself and through the use
of shadowing it looks as if the credits are part of the film world. Throughout the
sequence the titles continue to move with the camera meaning that they stay in
place and therefore seem to actually be in the film world.
The order of the titles follow the conventional order with the “starring” credits
appearing before the film title and the directors name being the last title credit to
appear,

5. Colour:
- Grey / black – This combination of colours suggests that he is alone, which
further leads the audience to believe that he is lonely. Furthermore, it
suggests his work is mundane, and that there is little change in routine,
making it very boring.
- White / silver / blue – These colours are all conventional to the genre, and
convey a futuristic atmosphere.
Lighting:
- Low-key – Links to the grey / black colouring, as this further emphasises
that he’s isolated due to the lack of other life forms, and that his work is
repetitive and tiresome.
- High-key – Conveys a futuristic atmosphere
- Sun flares – These are conventional to the sci-fi genre, and are commonly
used in sci-fi films.
Colour/Lighting

6. Mise-en-Scene
Costume:
- Mismatched/unfashionable everyday clothing – This suggests that he doesn’t
have access to resources such as new clothing. It also suggests he doesn’t care
about his appearance because he is alone.
- Astronaut suit – Conventional to the genre and indicates his job.
- Name tag – Indicates that he’s a professional, and links him to the company
mentioned in the advert at the beginning. In addition, could suggest that he is
supposed to be one of many rather than by himself.
Setting:
- Outer space – Conventional to the sci-fi genre, and in this instance, conveys that
the astronaut is isolated.
- Moon base – Another example of futuristic advancement in technology, and
indicates his profession.
Props:
- Robots / Computers / Satellites – These props are conventional to the sci-fi genre,
and indicate a futuristic setting as the technology is far more advanced than ours
- Moon vehicles – Another example of futuristic and advanced technology.

7. Mise-en-Scene
Body Language:
- Confident – Suggests that he is very good at what he does, and trusts in
his own abilities, which then further suggests he has been in that job
role a long time. Moreover, it implies that he is used to his situation and
environment.
Facial Expressions:
- Bored – Suggests that he finds his job repetitive, which then implies that
he’s been doing it for a long time. May also suggest loneliness as there
is no one to talk to/interact with, or any form of real entertainment.
- Concentration – Implies that his job is complicated, and requires hard
work to ensure it is done correctly

8. Editing
In the opening sequence many of the takes are quite long which reflects
the dull lifestyle of the astronaut. Along with this editing is simplistic and
this reflects the realism of the film. The simplistic editing and long cuts also
shows how this is the astronauts day to day job and how the work he’s
doing unexciting for him even though it is in space and to the audience
that seems very exciting.
Dissolve transitions are used throughout the sequence. One notable one is
from the title to an establishing shot of where the main character is based.
This shot is also a convention of the sci-fi genre as it shows the moons
surface and space. The dissolve transition is used a lot in the sequence and
links the images together to establishes the setting whilst taking us closer
throughout the sequence to the main character.
Another piece of editing used in the sequence is CGI which is used to
create the moon vehicles when the main character is driving off to and
then into a giant digging machine inside a smaller buggy. This CGI clearly
conveys the sci-fi genre as it shows space vehicles and futuristic vehicles
which are both clearly defined sci-fi items.

9. Effect on the Audience
The opening engages the audience through creating enigmas. The main
enigmas are: why is he there? Why is he the only one there? What's going
to go wrong?. By having the energy advert at the beginning of the
opening the audience wants to know what's happening on Earth and
whether the Energy Is doing what they tell us it will.
The use of the robot also engages the audience as often in sci-fi films
robots are seen or portrayed as the villains and in this sequence we
clearly see that the astronaut is alone with the robot so we wonder
whether the robot will turn or already is evil.
Through the simplistic editing, lack of human to human dialogue, the fact
we only see one human and the sad music an atmosphere of loneliness is
created. The audience is encouraged to keep watching because the
opening doesn’t answer any enigmas, it just creates them.

10. Non-Diegetic
The non-diegetic sound throughout the clip is a soundtrack. The music
sounds as if it is building up to something which intrigues the audience
whilst at the same time it has a sad/lonely yet serious feel to it. The music
also softens/lowers in pitch when the astronaut exits the moon base to go
into the moon vehicle.
Diegetic
The diegetic sound in the clip is mostly sound effects such as beeping of
technology or the noise of vehicles moving around and this conveys the
sci-fi genre to the audience. Another piece of diegetic sound used is the
voice of the robot and this voice is used to tell the audience what is
happening but its monotone drone shows how lonely it is on the station.
In the sequence there is also no human to human dialogue which implies
that a part of the story could be about the astronauts struggle with
loneliness. Another sound effect used which conveys the sci-fi genre is the
sound of the airlock as it is a sound which is only associated with the sci-fi
genre.

11. Type of shot
Extreme long shots of locations and in the advert for the energy company which immerse
the audience in the films world and makes it seem more real.
There are also extreme close ups of peoples faces to show their happiness, and by
putting this in the companies advert we assume that the company is good.
There are a range of different shots to help convey and create atmosphere, such as, the
shot of the mans feet: Where is he? Who is he?
We are shown establishing (location) shots to show the audience where the film is based
and to reinforce the genre of sci-fi
Throughout the sequence we also get lots of close ups and long shots which
highlight the simplicity and practicality of the moon base.
The camerawork is very slow and sedated which reinforces the idea that the work and
life on the moon is dull and monotonous for the astronaut. This also reinforces the films
realistic approach to life and space as everything seems realistic and plausible unlike
many sci-fi films.

12. Camera angles
In the advert at the beginning of the sequence we are shown the a
high angle shot of the companies factories, this helps to convey to
the audience the power/impact of the factories and the companies
new energy scheme
There are also eye-line match of the children in the advert to try
and show the audience that the children are equal to them and to
make the audience feel involved in the film.
We also get an eye-line match of the astronaut when he is in the
buggy driving and because the camera moves with the buggy the
audience feels as if it is in the buggy with him.