This document analyzes the opening scene of the thriller Inception, focusing on elements of mise-en-scene, camera work, sound, text/font, and atmosphere. Key details analyzed include the dim lighting in the Japanese setting creating tension; costumes suggesting importance and authority of characters; figures and movement showing power dynamics; a beach and spinner as important props; shots emphasizing vulnerability and tension; sounds creating calm and uneasy atmospheres; and text/font choices hinting at the thriller genre. Overall, the document closely examines how various technical elements are used to set the tone and raise questions, signaling this is likely a thriller film.

1. OPENING OF A THRILLER
analysis

2. INCEPTION
staring Leonardo DiCaprio

3. MISE-EN-SCENE
•
Lighting
The room is lit dimly with may small lanterns
on the ceiling showing the Japanese
setting, creating tension with the light at a
minimal, suggest
Natural lighting is used at the beginning of the
opening on the beach

4. MISE-EN-SCENE
•
Dressed in typical
children clothes.
Shows their
innocence.
Costume & Make up
Dressed as a police man.
Suggests there is trouble
and the movie is a thriller
Dressed in suits.
Suggests they have
importance and authority
No make-up
Dressed casually in a jacket and jeans

5. MISE-EN-SCENE
Figure expression & movement
Police uses his bigger gun to lift up his
shirt and reveal his weapon showing his
power over him
His figure
expression
looks
helpless, confu
sed and
weak, creating
enigma.
Suggests it is a
thriller
Child is playing in the
sand to show his
innocence, but there are
no children when the
guard comes showing
how he i hallucinating
about them, showing they
are important in his life
The guards are dragging DiCaprio’s
character in the room side by
side, shows their power over him
He is sitting at the top of
the table in the biggest
chair, suggesting he is
the leader

6. MISE-EN-SCENE
Style of building shows that the setting is in Japan
•
Setting & props
The gun suggests the movie is a thriller and
will have conflict. However it blurs into the
background, perhaps to show its
insignificance compared to the spinner
The Camera focuses on the
spinner, making the audience wonder
why he has it and its importance in the
film as it is quite an unusual object to
have in hand

7. CAMERA ANGLES, SHOTS & MOVEMENT
Slow Motion of the waves
crashing.
This creates a calm
atmosphere which may
be contrasting. It may
suggests the calming
before the storm, showing
the movie may be a
thriller
extreme close of his
face looking confused
and tired as he is
washed ashore on the
beach emphasizes his
vulnerability. This
makes the audience
think why he is there.
Openings that make the
audience question what
is happening suggests it
is a thriller
medium close of the guard showing the
beach is large but DiCaprio is actually
close to land so it creates tension
High angle shot of the police guard
conveying his power and authority

8. SOUND (THE WHOLE SOUNDSCAPE)
•
The opening begins with loud, intense music as the production company’s logos
appear, creating an uneasy atmosphere.
•
The sounds of crashing waves on a beach then comes on, surrounded by
silence, creating a calm atmosphere as if we were in a dream.
•
The laugher of children fades softly into the background showing how he may be
hallucinating about them, conveying their importance to him
•
Slow piano music begins to play in the background, creating a more calm
atmosphere, which is ambivalent to his vulnerable facial expression
•
The guards all speak in their native language, emphasizing his confusion even more as
he does not speak back to them, making the audience question why he is there

9. TEXT & FONT
The logo first shows a maze as the companies
name, ‘Syncopy’ slowly fades into it.
Warner Bros pictures logo is in black and
white, rather than colour. This may suggest
the movie is a thriller

10. ATMOSPHERE
The children playing
creates a comforting
atmosphere
The lights softly dim the room, creating
tension, enigma and an uneasy
atmosphere, suggesting the movie is a
thriller
The calm crashing of waves creates an easy atmosphere
which may be contrasting. It may suggests the calming
before the storm, showing the movie may be a thriller