The opening scene of Inception establishes a dark, mysterious atmosphere through its slow-paced opening title and dark cloud backdrop. Shots of crashing waves on the beach set the beach setting while also potentially foreshadowing future conflict. Close-ups of the confused protagonist leave the audience with questions about how he ended up on the beach and what visions he is experiencing. Various camera angles and sounds continue to build tension and suspense while hinting at important characters, objects, and events to come.

1. Inception Opening scene
By Grace Omondi

2. Mise en scene:
The opening title is: dark, mysterious and slow. This gives the
audience a feel of the atmosphere that might come later on in
the film. As the opening title comes onto the scene quite slowly,
it creates some tension and drama, this could foreshadow what
might be ahead. The background looks like dark clouds forming
together, when dark clouds come together it normally because
a storm is about to erupt that could also foreshadow what might
be ahead. You could also add that the non-diagetic sound is
used to set the scene.
The diegetic sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks also set
the scene for the audience. You could compare this particular shot to
the opening title, as the title was quite dark and this scene is bright.
This could lead to confusion within the audience as the music was
quite strong and bold and the waves were soft and relaxing. You
wouldn’t pair those two together so this could lead them to become
confused. You later see the protagonist laying on the golden sand. As
the scene fades, you can assume that it some type of vision or some
type of dream as the scene becomes blurry.
This close-up shot shows the protagonist confused and
dazed. The particular shot is quite significant when it comes
to thrillers as it leaves the audience wondering: what
happened to him?, how did he end up there?, why is he
having visions? Etc. Many questions will appear within the
audience.
This shot shows the protagonist seeing two children playing
at the beach, this shows how he is seeing this. This could
show something that might happen, it could be his children
or someone close to him. It creates a sense of confusion
towards the audience.
With this particular scene the filming is coming from the
door, the dark light surrounding the door gives us that
feeling of suspense and tension, something bad might
happen. The waves that were in some shots back also
foreshadow this, the waves were crashing the rocks so
that could show that some type of conflict might
happen within that room.

3. Camera Angle
The use of a close-up on the protagonist shows the
sense of confusion on his face and also how he might
be significant for the rest of the film. This also brings up
a lot of questions within the audience to why he is on
the beach. Confusion is a very high feature with most
thrillers.
This wide shot gives the audience a clearer
view of where the film is set and the
atmosphere of the film.
The close-up on the trinket shows how this might
have a significant role in the rest of the film, that
something small might have a major impact. This
also leaves the audience thinking how it could
impact something that’s due to happen later on
in the film. You’re also waiting for it to stop so
that can create some type of suspense.
This pull focus here makes the audience look at the
villain in the scene. It’s making the audience have a
perspective of the protagonist and what he can see from
his side.
This high angle shot shows how the
protagonist is more in control which makes
the audience feel more comfortable. It also
shows how he is more powerful.

4. Sound
• The non-diegetic sounds at the beginning of the film give the audience a sense of
tension and suspense. This was from the soundtrack.
• The sound of the chasing waves in the first scene can give a sense of secrecy as the
waves are smooth compared to the soundtrack at the beginning. As the
soundtrack was dramatic it can show how there might a sensitive topic and a
rough side.
• The dialogue between the main character and the other characters could show
who will be present throughout the whole film.

5. Editing
• The use of the main character eye-line to match the children
on the beach could show how those children might have
some type of significance to him.