film openings

1. FILM OPENINGS
‘Lighting, Mise en Scene, Editing, Shot
types/distances, Establishment of
narrative, special effects’
By: Jade Greenheld

2. The Hunger Games – Shot types/distances
The hunger games use a range of shots through the film
opening. A Long Shot is the most common shot used
throughout the opening. They use long shots to
introduce the beginning of every scene. It sets the scene
and the audience's perception of time, place and logical
action of the scene that is about to transpire. For
example, the first shot of the sequence it set in the
woods in District 12. The story revolves around this
setting apart when they are in the Capitol ‘Panem’, they
are dressed more sophisticatedly unlike In the district is
very poor so they wear rags.

3. The Host - Lighting
The lighting in Post-Apocalyptic films
the lighting is usually dark. Dark
lighting usually creates mystery and
suspense. In the film opening
sequence the lighting is very dark. The
lighting sets the mood, The scene is
set in a huge building at night, the
woman uses a torch to get around.

4. 28 days later – Special effects
The shots are in chronological order. They draw
the ‘1’ on the this opening scene in red font and
drips down so it look like blood. These number are
continuous, they are shown own each different
shot. Also, Special effects in this opening film they
use different coloured flashing light ‘blue’ and
‘red’ which connotes the police. This opening
scene uses animation shots throughout the
opening sequence, with different shots on scenery
and action.

5. Establishment of narrative-28 weeks later
Post-apocalyptic stories often take place in
a non-technological future world, or a
world where only scattered elements of
technology remain.In this opening scene,
these shot establish narrative. The
different shots set the scene and the clips
of the monkeys give the audience an
insight of what the movie will be about.

6. Mise En Scene- The matrix
The Matrix is a film that uses the five elements of mise-en-
scene in order to deliver meaning to the audience
and is constantly being seen. The elements of Mise-en-scene
are setting, costume and makeup, character and
actor, lighting and colour, and composition. For
example, whenever a person enters the matrix, there is
always a tinted shade of green. When characters are
viewed outside of the matrix and are viewed in the real
world, dark colours such as grey or black, costumes, and
low lighting are prevalent.
For setting, the scene takes place in a completely white
room which is known as ‘the construct’, where depth
perception is not relevant, it simply never ends.

7. Editing- The terminator
Camera Movement: Pan shot used to
follow girls movement on swing showing
innocence of youth.
Framing shot: Long shot used to to show
busy motorway, lots of people.
Camera angles: Camera angles are used
high and low angles. High angle used on
the first appearance of the terminator
showing it to have the upper hand in the
battle.
Titles: Titles done over post/pre
apocalyptic background to give a sense of
the future. Some credits are done over the
playground and the city. The font is given a
cold, machine like look.