Analysing the opening sequences of the movies: Snatch, Shaun Of The Dead and Chef.

1. Similar Product Analysis – Film Openings
Snatch (2000)
Writer:Guy Ritchie
Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Crime-Comedy
Characters in the opening two minutes:
The title sequencebegins insidea getaway van of four characters disguised,
escaping a bank robbery. A closeup is shown of a large diamond, thecamera then
spinsanti clockwise, transitioning to the next shot, this suggests that the film
‘revolves’ around the diamond. The first two minutes of the film consist of
meeting with the main characters, the antagonists and protagonists. The scene is
very fast paced with characters having no morethan 6 secondsof screentime, a
fast paced sequenceattracts the audience, engaging their attention and capturing
all the information in a short span of time. This sequenceconcentrates more on
the characters of the film.
The transitionsbetween characters show variousobjects being transferred to
each character, in terms of: gold, chips, playingcards and even a gun. This relates
with the comedic/crime genre of the film, showingpropsthat help set the tone or
mood of the film. The comedic aspect shows characters reacting with one another
in very cartoon like or goofy ways. Also the musiccreates a funky, fun or even an
energetic aspect to the sequence.
The introduction of characters consist of only the characters names names,
focusingmoreon the characters rather than the cast that play them, additionally
the crew are notmentioned either. The use of alliteration is used frequently to
describe the characters, examplesinclude: Franky four fingers, Bullet-tooth Tony,
GorgeousGeorgeand Boris the Blade. The film contains an ensemble cast,
meaningthat each character shows great importanceand contribution to the plot,
this is proposed aseach character has almost the same amountof screentime
shown. The freezeframingconcept is inspired by retro boxing posters. The
colourswere chosen and weremade desaturated to add an aged feeling. The
typography wasbased on a rangeof fairly heavy, bold fonts and then redrawn by
hand to show intentional imperfections. This gives a grungy and distressed
looking edge of the film. No dialogue wasused by characters so the audience
visualizesmoreon the facial expressionsand body language, how the character
interacts with the environment.
Settings within the film opening:
The audiencewillunderstand the meaningof the setting as the film being set
within ‘every day’life.
For exampleCousin Aviis seen in an office, Mickey is shown insidethe caravan
that he lives in, Franky four fingersgambling in a casino as he is addicted to
gambling and Vinny insidea pawn shop since he is the owner. Allthese locations

2. presentan ordinary lifestyle, as they don’t presentthemselves to be anywhere
special or fantasy like, we are familiar with these settings.
CameraShots in the opening scenes:
Various shots are used although they focus morearound mediumsto medium
close ups. Also the useof perspective shots, examplesincludethe perspectiveof
the victim being putinto the trunk of Bullet-tooth Tony and also the secret
compartmentof the Boris the Blade’s gun compartment. The use of match on
action to transition between the characters, passingaround variousobjects, the
editor doesby cuting from oneshot and begins the next shot where the action is
paused, this suggests that each character has some sort of relationship between
each other. Jump cutsare also used to emphasise the fast paced action of the
sequence.
How the first two minutes engage the audience and set up the narrative:
The title sequencecaptures the audienceas it is fast paced and the lack of
narrativekeep the audiencewantingmore, the anticipation keep the audiencein
their seats. No dialogueis shown so only visualcommunication is given, the
audiencebecomes involved in the fast paced scenes and captures all the
information in a short span of time. The sequence sets up the narrativeby
showing the diamond, suggestingto the audiencethat the diamond isthe centre
of the plot. Since it is established that four characters are getting away from a
bank, the movie continuesfrom that scene, drivingthe plot forward. Intriguing
questions maybeasked by audience, such as: “What happensnext?”, “Will they get
caught?” or “How do the other characters play a partin this plot?”.

3. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Writer:Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Horror-Comedy
Characters shownin the sequence:
From the begininng of the sequence, the audiencewitnessesa variety of people
workingin mundane, dead end jobs. A supermarketworker isseen pushinga
number of shoppingtrolleys. The next number of shots show grouped people
acting in sync: the super market cashiers scanning items, workingmen waiting at
a bus stop to check their phonesand a group of people walkingdown astreet. All
the extras are shown doingthe same action at the same time, the director has
donethis to emphasise the zombie aspect, havingthese workersgo through the
same routineday in and day outwith vaguefacial expressions and also showing
weary body language. They are considered extras because they only receive five
secondsof screen time each, the lack of information used to introducethem and
the extras shown in large groupsenforcethis. Although the next shot shows a
child playingfootball by himself outside on a street. This showsthe audiencethat
the younger generation have not been affected by stress or exhaustion. The
audiencethen meets our protagonistin the next shot, Shaun. However at first
glance only a pair of stumblinglegs and a shadow is seen, as the camera pansup a
tired moan is heard. The director has donethis to trick the audience, suggesting
that Shaun is a zombie before his face is revealed at the end of the pan, this is
irony. The next shot featuresour supportingcharacter, Ed. He is seen playing
video games whilst Shaun joins him, the audienceunderstandsthey havea close
relationship with each other and that the two characters livewith each other. The
only dialoguethe audiencehears during the scene is Ed asking Shaun “Haven’t
you got work?”. This again helps reinstate the idea of the general publicalready
being zombies.
Setting within the film opening:
The setting shown duringthe openingsequencehelps the audienceunderstand
that the film is set within ‘everyday life’. Locations that are familiar to the
audienceor the majority of the general public, such as: supermarkets, busstops,
streets and finally a living room. This helps the audienceempathize with the
movieand creates a relationship between the audienceand film within only the
first minuteof the movie. They are presented as ordinary and don’tshow any
settings to be special or fantasy like.
Camerashots used in the opening scenes:
A combination of mediumsto longshots are used in the openingsequence. These
are used to help the audienceidentify the location and also focus on the clothes of
the extras. Establishing the fashion senseof the extras help understand their
social class, especially when uniform is shown particularly in the supermarket
scenes. Although when Shaun is introduced, his legs are first shown usinga low
angle shot, this typeof shot is typically used in horror moviesand usually used in

4. introducingthe antagonist. The audiencelooks up the antagonist and makeshim
seem morephysically frightening. Also the editor usesthe match on action by
hiding the cuts with an object crossingthe frame. Objects such as: polesand cars.
This term is usually referred to as the ‘invisible cut’.
How the first two minutes engage with the audience and set up the
narrative:
The bright lighting duringthe scenes tell the audiencethe film is not an extremely
terrifyingmovie, compared to other moviesthat revolvearound zombies. The
settings reinforcethis idea as supermarketsat mid day is uncommon when
introducingfilmsthat belong to the horror genre. There is no sign of zombies
within the first two minutesso the audienceunderstandsthatthis is most likely
before the unfortunateeventwhereeveryonebecomesundead. The audienceis
engaged as they anticipate when the eventoccurs, this sequencesets up the
narrativeintroducingthe mood of the film and also introducingthe two main
characters, Shaun and Ed. When Shaun moansit could act as foreshadowing,
suggesting that the character may turn into a zombie. Also, the music is an
importantaspect. The track is very cleverly mixed, capturingmoodsof joy and
creepiness. The intrumentsused arecommonly recognisable as the ones used in
horror movies but are playinga morelight hearted melody.

5. Chef (2014)
Writer:Jon Favreau
Director: Jon Favreau
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Characters in the opening two minutes:
The sequencebegins insidea restaurant kitchen. The scene is quite dark and a
chef is seen flickingswitches to turn the lights on. Then, variousscenes show
preperation in the kitchen doneby chefs. Wesee quick close upsof the chef’s
knifeset being unfolded, stovesbeinglit, garlic being crushed and olive oil being
drissled on the pan. Only at the thirty second mark of the sequence is our main
character seen by the audience. The chef is then seen performingvariouschef
duties. Quick and precise cuts of ingredientsare shown to illustrate the class that
a chef posseses. The aim of the director is to show the job and lifestyle of a chef,
being very handson and well time managed. There is a swift shot of Chef looking
away whilst he is cutting a zucchinirapidly at the same moment, this provesto
the audiencethat he is confidentand wellexperienced. Also the character is the
only oneseen workingin the kitchen showing that he is early and that his position
is high in the industry. Our supportingcharacter comes into framein the next
shot, Martin, who is seen carrying a fullgrown pig. Martin is shown taking orders
from our first character on how to position and cut the pig suggesting to the
audiencethat Martin works under him. The main chef then engages with Martin
in a conversation, he states he needsto visit the farmersmarket to pickup
ingredientsand asks the time, Martin replies with “Ten-ish…”. The chef then
exclaims “Ten?! I gotta’ pick up the kid, where’s Tony?”. This particular line
introducesour third character. Martin replieswith “Tony wentout late last night.”
The next shot followsChef on the way outside, rushingwithout his uniform on,
puttingcasual clothes (T-shirt, shirt, jeans and glasses). He bangs on a car
revealingTony who is sleepingin the driver’sseat, again, the director is showing
the exhausting job that a chef does. Tony wakes in shock replyingwith “Yes chef!”,
our main character’s namehas not been identified, this suggests to the audience
that he is in charge, perhaps the executive chef. They then become involved in a
conversation, Chef tells Tony that “We got a critic coming in today.” The quick
responesshows all our characters that there is chemistry and comfort between
each other. Also cracking jokes help show trust and confindencein each other.
The scene endswith Chef stating “We got the pig”, “Lechon!” Tony replies. Lechon
refersto pork dishes, presentingthe vocabulary of the chefs.
Setting within the sequence:
The setting in the film immediately tell the audiencethat the film is based in a chef
work space, a kitchen. The setting shows a widerange of equipementand utensils
well organised. From pots, pansand ingredientsto chopping boards, oil
dispensersand trays. What is note worthy is the stove in the setting is uniqueand
show a very differentdesign compared to ordinary household stoves. The kitchen
is also very neatand tidy, displaying the cleanliness of a chef. The workstations

6. don’tpresentto be familiar with the audience, they may be common to those that
work in the food and beverage industry. Althoughthe second half of the movie is
presented at a completely differentsetting, a food truck, this helps the audience
see how the chef works outside his comfort zoneand the restaurantkitchen
setting providesagood base for the movieto begin with. Additionally, Tony is
introduced sleepingin a car and explainsthat he slept because a critic wasvisiting
the restaurant. This presentsa chef’s dedication and also the workinghours.
CameraShots used in the opening scenes:
Mainly two types of shots are presented duringthe openingsequence. Mediums
and close ups, although there is also the useof medium close ups. Closeupsare
used to display actions doneby the chef, such as: igniting the stove, stirring pots
and chopping ingredientsin varied ways. Mediumsareused to show the chef,
although the director has used the useof close upsto show importanceto the
activity that’s being done. Also the use of jump cutshelp the audiencedetermine
that the chef is performingallthese throughout a long period of time. They are
also used to add a senseof urgency
How the first two minutes engage witht the audience and set up the
narrative:
The musichelp emphasise the jump cutsand fast paced action. The upbeat
melody tell the audiencethat the film is positive and has a feel-good vibe. Chef,
Tony and Martin are introduced, the audienceis also introduced the dedicated
and concentrated lifestyle of a chef in justthe first minute, dealing with different
stages. From choppingto butchery to cooking, in just the first minuteof the film.
The concentration from our character is shown from their body language and
facial expression. It sets up the narrativeas the audiencefindsout that the
restaurantis dealingwith a critic later on and anticipation buildson tackling the
service and judgementof the critic.