Analysis of Four film openings

1. 4 Film Openings

2. 1. 500 days of summer
• The opening two minutes of the film establishes the main
characters.
• Sets the genre of the film as a light rom-com through the
language of the narrator with his humorous delivery the
audience hears through the voice over.
• The light, bouncy piano sets the tone of light-hearted rom
com as the bounciness makes it light and the piano makes
the audience feel as though a slight emotional side will be
shown in the film. It makes the audience expect the film to
be funny and warm.
• Institutional information is shown such as the production
companies, actors, distribution companies, directors,
editors and sound crew etc. this is shown after the
narrator introduces the characters, a minute or so in.
• The institutional information is shown whilst also detailing
the audience on the life of the characters before the point
they are at now, thus giving the audience a feel for the
characters, allowing them to get to know them and their
background before the film fully starts
• It shows where the characters are set (in an office
environment) which lets the audience know their social
class (middle class) and that it’s a work-place.
• It uses a master shot when establishing the characters to
show their relationships with other characters and how
they act, such as the guy being in a board room not smiling
showing he is bored and the girl being alone shows she is
more of a loner.
• The costume shows they are in a middle class environment
as the work uniform is smart which makes the audience
think they are in a establishment of the demographic B

3. 2. Kick-ass
• The opening shows institutional logos of
the production companies
• The opening also details on the name of
the director of the film.
• It has an establishing shot at the beginning
which shows the location of the film being
a city landscape which is often the scene
superhero films take place in.
• The first character we see on camera is in a
typical superhero costume which helps the
audience identify that it is a film with
superheroes in it. Red is the typical colour
used so helps the audience identify this
more especially because the colour red is
often associated with action.
• The character is then seen built up as
important then crashing to his death which
makes the audience realise a different tone
to this film is comedy as it is quite
humorous.
• The use of the main character voice-over
helps create a tone of humour as well
• It uses dynamic angles in the first few
seconds of action which shows it is very
high action shown.
• There is brass instrumental fanfare type
music used which also helps establish the
genre as that type of music is typically
associated with that genre.

4. 3. The man from U.N.C.L.E
• The opening has the institutional
information displayed along a black
background with red newsreels and
newspaper prints flashing across the
screen which helps the audience
understand the time period it takes place
in and the issues the film is addressing.
• The red helps make the audience relate
the subject matter to communism as it
has connotations with it.
• The music helps set the tone of the film
as it is a funky beat associated with the
time
• The characters we see are either in suits
or army gear which help the audience
figure out what is going on and the type
of work the character is in and the
direction the story is going in
• The institutional information shown are
the directors, producers, distribution
company, production company, costume
designers etc.
• The institutional information is also
shown in gold which also will help the
audience link it to communism
• The camera has a dated filter shown
which makes the tone of the film serious
and sombre, also nostalgic for the past as
it has a retro vintage look

5. 4. Everest
• The institutional information shown are the
production and distribution companies, and the
producers and directors. It doesn’t show actors
• It uses establishing shots which show the
setting being mount Everest
• The music is quite epic and booming which
helps set the tone that something amazing is
happening
• Establishing shot in beginning has name of
place (country its in) so helps audience know
the setting for scene and begging movie.
• Uses dynamic shots and angles to help
audience know that the film is about something
big or epic and is in the adventure genre.
• The film shows a lot of tents showing they are
camping and on a journey or expedition as well
as being in ski clothing which also conveys that
the characters are in a cold climate.
• The background shows a lot of snow which
shows the audience that it is very extreme
weather thus increasing the feel of adventure
and danger as it makes it seem more extreme.
• It then cuts to a urban city like place with the
characters in everyday clothing which makes it
seem like it is out of the ordinary for them. This
gets audience intrigue. It also makes the
audience connect with them as they see
someone who looks like them.