A troubled teenager named Donnie receives disturbing visions from a large rabbit telling him the world will end soon. Seeking answers, Donnie experiments with time travel in an attempt to prevent the impending doom, which has unforeseen and life-changing consequences. The film uses various camera shots and techniques like panning, zooming, and point of view to introduce Donnie's character and setting, convey his confusion, and involve the audience in his experiences. The slow initial pace and lighting establish Donnie's sleepy state upon awakening in an unfamiliar place dressed in pajamas, contrasting with the reality he encounters while riding his bike.

1. Taking place during an election year in the late
1980s, Donnie Darko tells the story of a
troubled teenager who receives disturbing
visions from a tall bunny rabbit telling him the
world will soon come to an end. Seeking
answers, Donnie investigates time travel in an
attempt to turn back the clock and prevent the
world's seemingly impending doom... actions
which pose bizarre and life-changing results.

2. Camera panning (after titles) of the view.
Panning onto the road. Camera slowly
zooms and travels forward to show the
unknown object in the road- it becomes
clear that it is a human. Camera turns to
see the characters face. Mid-shot of
character’s back as he stands up and then
turns around looking confused. Camera
tracks as character rides his bike. Point of
view shot when he is riding the bike.
Close up of a Halloween poster. Pans over
to character. Mid shot of board reading
‘where is Donnie?’- name introduced.

3. The panning and variety of the shots show the
surroundings, and also keep the audience
guessing as to where the setting is. The
zooming in to the character establishes who it
is, as it is unknown at the beginning, and shows
the strangeness of the situation. Furthermore,
the variety of shots, also show the characters
facial expression, which connects him with the
audience, and reinforces the audiences
confusion. The camera following the bike and
the Point of view when he’s on the bike, allow
the audience to connect with the character
even more and show the extent of where he is,
how he got there and show us something
about him.

4. Slow pace, which links in with the music. Cuts
from characters expression to view, to emphasis
confusion. After title is introduced, screen fades
out through light. Followed by a bright, plain
white screen. Pace quickens as character rides
bike, also reinforced through the non-diegetic
music.
The slow pace keeps the audience guessing and also allows the
audience to take in the views. Overall, the pace is slow and this links in
with the character that is introduced. He appears sleepy and confused
and the pace allows the audience to establish this and connect with
him. Also, the quickening of pace not only links in with the speed on
the bike, but also the change in expression.

5. Morning lighting/ setting- quite dark. Confused facial
expression from the character and appears to be
sleepy. Dressed in pyjamas. Bike seen in the
background- suggests how he got there. Expression
changes- character smiles and smirks as he looks
around at his surroundings. Sleepy expression when
riding his bike. Other characters are introduced. Cars
etc. now seen- ‘back to reality’.
The lighting is natural throughout; the setting
is outside and the shots and the character
establish that it is the morning. When the
character first awakes the expression is clearly
confusion but changes as he looks around. He
is dressed in pyjamas, which contrasts to
where he is and there is no justification as to
why he is there. Other characters are
introduced, but not to the extent as the boy
seen on the road. Also, when on the bike, cars
and characters are introduced, which shows a
juxtaposition to where he was and almost as if
he has gone ‘back to reality’.