Fraser's work on opening sequences for Media Studies

1. Analysis of the action/adventure movie openings - Fraser
The opening of the Hobbit

2. The use of the match in the palm of Bilbo's hand helps
add mystery to the character and to make a warm
feeling to the viewers. It also helps add suspense to
the character and the story.

3. Genre conventions: the use of the sword shows an
example of action and the idea of a battle. As Bilbo's
hand reaches over to the sword it shakes and you get
the idea of reminiscence.

4. The use of the picture helps the viewers relate to the
main character and see what he looks like. His
appearance looks like the stereotypical adventurer as
he has long hair and a rugged look on him.

5. The image of the main character resting his hand on his
chin and looking down at the picture of his younger self
helps the viewers make the link between the picture and
the character. It also adds mystery into what he is
thinking about.

6. The use of the map helps add a sense of adventure
and excitement into the scene as we are exploring
unseen territory and experiencing a land not known to
the viewers.

7. The wide shot of the market place helps show the
audience that the supposed time frame of the film,
medieval times. This is because in other films city
markets are connoted with the medieval era.

8. This is establishing shot helps show the viewers the
‘main attraction’ to the story, the image of the gate in
the background. The size of the gate helps excite the
reader as they feel that a strong and powerful
kingdom must be behind it. This reflects the fantasy
genre the most.

9. In this shot we get a clearer view of the gate and its
surroundings. The waterfall next to it helps make the
imagery of peace and amazement for the viewers

10. The close – up of the dwarven king helps the viewers
know that the film is based in another universe. They
know he is a king as he is wearing a crown and robes
that mirror royalty and riches.

11. The dark hall has giant statues around the area and a
ore vein in the middle of it. This makes the viewers
feel amazed at what they can see as it looks
extraordinary. It also resembles power and royalty

12. The close – up of the gold fragments helps the
viewers see that the film has an essence of treasure
and gold in it as shown. It also fits with the
mythological assumption that dwarves love gold.

13. The use of the giant ore vein again adds the idea of a quest for treasure and gold. It
also shows the viewers what should be expected from a fantasy film.

14. LOTR: The Two Towers

15. The use of the logo for the directing company helps
the viewers know that the company making this film
is professional and has had experience in making
films.

16. The title of the film trilogy is shown and a piece of
music is played in the background to help make it seem
more adventurous as the instruments being played are
upbeat and pleasant

17. The establishing shot used helps describe the
landscape for the quest and the setting of the story

18. The use of the fiery demon helps show the viewers that
the story has an essence of mythology behind it and
use’s that to a good extent. It also helps the viewers
remember what happened in the last film.

19. The close – up of Gandalf helps show one of the main
characters and again helps the viewers remember the
last film more clearly.

20. The close – up of the Balrog inserts an essence of fear
into the viewers. This is because the demon closely
resembles an idea of Satan and hell.

21. Another close – up is used when the other main
characters are shown so that the viewers remember
the plot of the last film and the feelings they felt when
Gandalf supposedly died.

22. This shot is unclear but it shows Gandalf falling
towards his sword with his outstretched arm. This
shows the idea of bravery and courage in the
characters as they don’t know if they will die or survive.

23. The shot of Gandalf falling towards the Balrog helps
the viewers see the bravery in Gandalf. This makes
the viewers anticipate what will happen next and keeps
them on the edge of their seat.

24. The final shot is Gandalf and the Balrog falling down
the cavern and still fighting. The wide shot used helps
show the size of the creator as it is still visible in a
cavern of this size. This adds to the suspense the
viewers are feeling.

25. Iron Man

26. In the first shot we see the companies who made the
production. We also hear rock music in the
background representing the excitement that will soon
follow.

27. The use of the subtitles saying where the movie is
being set helps the audience understand that the movie
has an element of war behind it and may be based off
of that.

28. The use of the stereo in the truck confuses the viewers
as they may of believed that the music was put in
incidental. This disrupts the viewers train of thought as
the stereo is so out of place.

29. The next shot is of the main character. This helps bring
the movie into full circle and also disrupts the viewers
train if thought as it is unexpected to see a man
wearing a suit and drinking whiskey in the back of an
army truck.

30. The explosion used reminds the audience that the film
is based around war and that anything can happen at
anytime. It shows the horror of war.

31. The bullet holes in the car also reminds the viewers
that they are in a war situation and it is very dangerous.

32. Another explosion is used to again show the war
situation

33. The use of the logo for the main characters company
on the weapon helps add mystery to the story as the
viewers want to know why the warhead is in the hands
of the unknown enemy.

34. A bullet proof vest and blood is used to show the life
changing injury's Tony Stark will have to live with.

35. The final shot is of a sack mask. This adds the
essence of hostage taking and dangerous situations. It
makes the viewers realise that war is very dangerous
and can cause you to become captured.

36. The Dark Knight Rises

37. In the first shot we see a group of bagged men in the
back of the truck. The audience wonder why they are
bagged and for what purpose. It excites them for what
is going to happen next.

38. The landscape used in the establishing shot helps the
viewer understand where the film is being based at the
moment.

39. The plane, guns and army uniform helps connote a
feeling of danger and possible excitement. The same
masked men are shown and the viewers realise that
they are most likely criminals.

40. When Bane is revealed the audience see that he is a
dangerous man through the use of the mask. People
will associate the villains with people that wear masks
as they are seen as dangerous and powerful.

41. The two planes shown shows the possibilities of a fight
happening. This excites the reader as they don’t know
what will happen next.

42. In this shot men are seen jumping out of a plane on
harnesses. The viewers are getting more excited as
they aren’t sure what will happen. It also adds an
element of danger.

43. This shot shows the viewers a huge amount of danger
as this scene looks almost impossible as it seems
unrealistic.

44. The shot of the plane falling and the villain escaping
informs the viewers that this won’t be an average
superhero movie as the villain is shown to be very
clever and has a plan thought out.