The Dark Knight opening scene establishes tension through gradual shots that build to action. It begins with an establishing shot of Gotham City that zooms in slowly. A window then shatters, signaling this as an action film. Two men are seen preparing grappling hooks to cross streets. Their conversation in a car reveals they are robbing a bank for the Joker. More men then rob the bank, with one having a distinctive hobble. When the silent alarm is triggered, it rings to a private number rather than 911.

1. Film openings
The Dark Knight

2. No opening credits
This movie does not mention any individual names
in the start of the movie except for the names
and logos of the production companies behind
the movie
 Warner brothers
 Legendary pictures
 DC comics
 As this is the second film in the trilogy it is
assumed the audience is already aware of the
setting and themes of the film

3. Establishing shot
Gradual zooming shot builds tension

4. Sudden window shattering sets genre as a action film
Camera then cuts to a man priming and firing a grappling hook

5. Immediate change gives the audience these are simultaneous events
Clown mask
clowns iconic common phobia symbol of fear camera continues to zoom into a
close up of this mask
Natural lighting
the characters black outfit makes him almost look like a silhouette (evil)
Low angle
shows him as a powerful figure

6. Birds eye view shot
Re-Establish the action genre of the piece
At this point a drum beat that has been building from the start reach's a
more intense level with one louder stronger beat at the moment of the
jump

7. After the men in the previous scene have landed on a roof across the street we
switch view to insides of this car (low key lighting sinister atmosthere)
Guns are being loaded whilst dialogue is exchange between the men in clown masks
in the front seat using a set of language such shares job ect ect letting the audience
know this is a bank heist their on there way to the joker is mentioned

8. Cut back to the men on the roof as they have a similar conversation about the joker
saying he wears “make up” “war paint”
The beat continues and we hear the rattling of tools during this dialogue and the
gravel under foot
(all diagetic except the beat)

9. After stopping the car the other group of men run into the bank one it is notable that
original clown we saw from the street corner runs with a distinctive hobble
Gun shots are fired and commands yelled at the customers of the bank

10. We hear a ringing sound the hacker explains it was the silent alarm but shows
confusion as it wasn't going to 911 but a private number