The document analyzes the mise-en-scene, cinematography, and performance elements of the opening sequence of a film. It describes the dull, dark costumes and limited setting that suggest a modern or futuristic thriller. Shots like close-ups are used to convey emotion while establishing shots introduce the underwater setting. Diegetic sounds like bubbles add realism while non-diegetic music builds tension. The main character's scared facial expressions imply a troubling past experience.

1. By Lukas W.

2. Mise en Scene
 The costumes aren’t used much except near the end, where they look
modern. This tells us the action takes place in either modern times or in
the future.
 The setting is in the water, and later in someone’s room which is a
limited information. The dull and slow-paced scene in the water suggests
that something scary or serious happened at that time. The fact that
later the main character “wakes up from it” suggests that it happened to
the main character and that it was something very important. This tells
us it might be a thriller as it keeps us interested.
 Props such as the robot or the car that are in the water, again tell us it’s
something modern or futuristic. In addition to that, the robot is clearly a
project of the future, so it might be considered a science-fiction film.
 Figure expression, like the one in the water, tell us that something bad is
happening as both characters have looks of desperation. They also are
aimlessly moving around which tells us they can’t get out.

3. Cinematography
 Lighting – It looks like it uses Artificial lighting in the night, I
know this because the action takes place in the water and
natural light would not be enough to make it this clear. The
lighting is faint and dull. This creates an effect that
immediately tells the audience that the film tries to build
tension.
 Depth of focus – A deep focus is used throughout the opening
sequence and sometimes shallow focus so the director might
wanted to make the audience feel as if it was realistic.
 Colour – The colours used were dull and dark, nothing lively.
This again emphasizes the seriousness of the mood in this
film.

4. Extreme Close up
 This shot has been used to
completely show and focus
on the emotion and
troubled/scared expression
of the main character’s face.
We instantly know the dream
shown before was this
character’s as we can feel it
in the atmosphere and his
emotions.
 00:01:23 – 00:01:24

5. Close up
This close up shot also mainly wants to show the emotion
of the character and what is happening to him. This shot
uses shallow focus to makes us understand clearly that the
situation is dangerous. The eye level close up make us feel
as if we are there with him. The fact that he is the first
character we see underlines his importance.
00:01:02 – 00:01:03

6. Medium Shot
 This medium shot shows a bit of the setting, costume
and body language/movement of the character
involved. Medium shots can still show some of the
character’s emotion but also a bit of what is going on
(e.g. It is used a lot during conversation.) The costume
gives the audience an idea of what the film might be
about, in this case a science fiction.
 00:01:20 – 00:01:21

7. Long Shot
 In this opening sequence there aren’t any long shots used.
However, this shot can be considered as a medium long shot
as it is supposed to show the character’s body to knee and
shows much more setting than the other shots. A long shot is
supposed to be from head to toe with a little extra space. A
long shot is used to introduce the character or establish it’s
characteristic/appearance as well as what is happening to the
character and the setting. It introduces us to the setting of
underwater and the car.
 00:01:18 – 00:01:19

8. Extreme Long Shot
 There are no extreme long shots in this opening sequence,
however this can be considered as one as it establishes the
scene and helps the audience clearly understand where the
action is taking place. This can also be called an
establishment shot. This shot tells us the scene takes place in
the water, identifying it as a non-linear beginning.
 00:00:37

9. Dolly Shot
 There are no dolly shots used throughout the opening
sequence as the action is in only one place and there is
no chasing or movement. Dolly shots are used to follow
the movement of characters, to make the audience feel
as if they are included in the scene for effect.

10. Pan
 A pan is used in this scene to establish the setting and
surroundings. This is used for effect to again make the
audience feel like they are in that scene, feeling the
same emotions and suspense. This is caused by the fact
that we are conscious of the surroundings of the
protagnist.
 00:00:51 – 00:01:01

11. Tilt
 There are no tilts used in this opening sequence,
perhaps this was not used to make the scene feel more
cramped as if there was no up, just right and left. This
could have been used as the scene is set in a car that
sank in the water, no tilt’s used suggesting there is no
way out and that time is running out. Tilts, just like
pans, are usually used to establish a scene or for effect
(e.g. used for attractive women to underline their
feminism.)

12. Zoom
 Zoom is used in the last scene of the opening sequence
where it goes from extreme close up to his forehead to
an extreme close up of his eyes. This may be used for a
dramatic effect, where at the extreme long shot the
audience is supposed to feel suspense, until it goes back
to a normal close up.
 00:01:23

13. High Angle Shot
 This angle shot is looking down on the character stuck in
the car, which makes it look like she is stuck and
suggest it is over for her. That she is getting smaller and
smaller; just like her life.
 00:01:21

14. Eye Level Shot
 Eye level shots are used when the director wants to
introduce the character. It makes the audience on the
same level as the character to make us feel just as
important in the scene. This is mostly used in calm
situations where action isn’t happening.
 00:01:25 – 00:01:25

15. Low Angle Shot
 There were no low angle shots used in the opening sequence,
except this slightly low angle. Low angles are often used to
make someone look bigger or superior. For example a
superhero can be filmed at a low angle to make him look
more glorious or in a king’s case, more majestic. This means
the robot may be considered superior or more powerful in this
situation, as he is rescuing someone.
 00:01:23

16. Cut

17. Cut & Pace
 Cuts -These three shots were cut and put together into a fast
paced montage. It first starts with water clips, then it shows
the hand and lastly returns to a calm filming of the
protagonist. This emits suspense at what will happen next,
the fast-paced shots make it all more exciting and keeps the
audience watching. (00:01:23 – 00:01:25) There is also an in-
cut at the end where it goes from extreme close up to close
up. (00:01:26)
 Pace – Most of the opening sequence is slow-paced, but
further into the video the pace starts to build up the speed
and finally turning in to a climax that suddenly stops, and
returns to a slow-paced clip. This again builds up tension and
suspense to emphasize the excitement and that something is
going on.

18. Diegetic Sound
 Diegetic sounds are those that are found within the narrative
where we understand what the source of the sound is.
 There was a couple of diegetic sounds used, such as the sound
of bubbles underwater (like in 00:00:30), the flow of water
(00:01:00), the ringing timer and the character breathing
(00:01:25).
 There was no dialogue, it was just simple sounds to make us
understand what’s happening is real so we could feel as if we
are included in the action. It did not use any convention or
strategy to appeal to the audience.

19. Non-diegetic Sound
 Non-diegetic sounds are those out of the narrative such as
music or the sound of a narrator speaking, that is not
contributing to the development of the plot but making us
understand what is going on.
 Throughout the opening sequence the music was intensive
and high-pitched. It was building up and down in a pattern;
this creates suspense and makes the audience think why is
the music the way it is. Why is it so intensive and dark. It
suggests a tragedy or hard situation that perhaps included
death.
 The music builds up to a climax at the end where it drags the
music note for longer than usual before stopping.

20. Performance
 Facial Expressions – The main character is interpreting
emotions well, showing scared and afraid expressions when
needed, as well as troubled and later tired expressions. The
character rolls his eyes at the end in reaction to the dream he
just had, this suggests that he is tired of it, which also
suggests that he had this dream before. This means it could
be something from the past and that it had a big influence on
his life that he can’t forget.
 Verbal Performance – The characters do not speak at
all, however the protagonist does make sounds muted by the
water. This tells the audience that he is desperate to get out
and free himself, but he can’t.