The opening scene of Black Swan establishes mystery and suspense through its visuals and audio. A lone ballerina is shown in a long shot on a dark stage [1]. Close ups show her dancing feet [2] and her fearful expression as a dark figure approaches [4]. A long shot reveals the man walking menacingly in the shadows [3]. As the music intensifies, he transforms into a sinister black costume with horns while she becomes a vulnerable white swan [5]. This unsettling opening leaves the viewer with questions about the characters and plot that will unfold.

1. Black Swan Opening Analysis
By Chloe Thompson

3. Titles
The titles take place on a black background which introduces
mystery and darkness in to the film. The blackness juxtaposes
with the white writing which highlights the pure and feminine
aura of ballet as the font is slim and long. They slowly fade in
and out of the screen, which is graceful like a ballerina. ‘Black
Swan’ finally appears centralized on the screen and is bigger and
bolder than the previous writing.

4. Editing
The opening is made up of mainly long takes,
creating tensions because the audience expects
something to happen. As well as this, the
audience is forced to view everything on the
screen meaning there is growing suspense.

5. Camera
The first shot is a long shot (1) which shows a female character centred and alone
on a dark stage. At once it is obvious she is a ballet dancer, introducing the main
theme of the film as well as a key setting. There is then a close up of the
character’s feet (2) as she dances, this suggests that she is an important
character as the shot is intimate and the camera travels with her movements.
There is then a long shot (3) showing a male character walk towards her. He is
surrounded by darkness and the viewer sees only the back of him which creates
an element of danger. There is a close up (4) of the female’s face, showing her
fearful expression and allowing the audience to share this emotion. The camera
spins repeatedly, which represents the twisted plot and thriller genre of the film.
The viewer then see a medium shot of the man as he changes costume and
becomes increasingly sinister (5). She does the same and turns into the white
swan displaying her vulnerability, and the male character disappears. This leaves
the viewer with many questions such as who are the characters and what are
they representing and how will this be revealed later on in the film?

6. Camera
1.
5.4.
3.2.

7. Sound
The scene begins with slow classical music and when the male character
enters percussion is added too which suggests he is dangerous and
leaves the audience wanting to know why. The music is quieter when he
enters which makes the atmosphere more tense and highlights the idea
that he should be feared. The viewer can hear her take a sharp breath
which emphasizes her fear and there are sound effects as he changes
costume, as well as the music becoming louder and speeding which
makes it more dramatic and increases pace, setting up for the rest of
the movie.

8. Mise en scene
The black stage has a single spotlight, this white and black lighting
matches the white and black costumes of the characters which suggests
the good and evil of the characters. The female character wears a white
ballet dress reflecting her purity, innocence and goodness. The man
wears black which conveys danger, he changes into a black feathery
costume with a nose and horns which presents him as monstrous and
scary.