The document analyzes the opening sequences of four films - Watchmen, Jaws, Napoleon Dynamite, and Scream. It discusses elements like cinematography, lighting, shots, sound, and how they establish genre and set the tone for each film. Specific techniques highlighted include the use of zooms and silhouettes in Watchmen to create a dark atmosphere, point-of-view shots from the shark's perspective in Jaws to build tension, the comedic presentation of titles in Napoleon Dynamite, and the use of screams and phone calls to signal horror in Scream.

1. OPENING SEQUENCES 4

2. WATCHMEN
 The camera zooming out helps to establish the scene, and the low key lighting creates a negative, even partly hidden sort
of atmosphere.The character now seen through zooming out is in his dressing gown, which suggests that he’s relaxing
and at home (coinciding with the sound of a kettle boiling).The lighting we see outside the window soon after is all
artificial, coming from tall buildings, which helps to establish a wider setting- the inner city. As we begin to see what’s
playing on theTV, we see first an auto-cue screen in the center of the shot..This indicates that we are in the point of view
of the production of this broadcast all of a sudden, and that the auto-cue text is emphasised and important here, rather
than the person speaking, who isn’t seen yet.There is a diegetic tone to his voice, though.The lack of warm lighting and
colours (there is just blue and grey here) in the shot connotes a somber and serious atmosphere, as if something negative
may be happening in America right now.The next long shot used shows a talk show on tv, there is a presenter in the
middle, and the shot is practically symmetrical. Once again, we see the tv show from a crew member’s view rather than
that of the character viewing the show.The drawn attention and focus towards theTV presenter connotes an importance
of the media in western culture.There is also a coldness of colouring here, and a grainy sort of video quality. This connotes
the time period (as this is typical & authentic of 80’s television show broadcasts) as well as the same things as the
presidential broadcast. We next see four men in white lab coats turning the hands on the ‘doomsday clock’ up to 5
minutes to midnight.The mise en scene inWatchmen is not conventional to that of the superhero genre with films such
as the first Spiderman and Superman movies, which use brighter tones and high key lighting.The cold, dirty and
oppressive feel here reflects more modern releases of this genre, such asThe Dark Knight, and Sin City. Next, the focus
changes from the character’s face to the lights and shadows coming from under the door. As the mystery character then
kicks down the door, and the character inside rises to his feel in alarm, the sounds are amplified, which exaggerates the
movements and heightens the tension, which, in themselves, quicken the pace of the sequence altogether. In the next
shot, the camera tilts up, showing the mystery character, silhouetted against the lights from the hallway.The low angle
shot makes him look important and threatening. The black colouring suggests mystery and perhaps death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVUDdQS2UxA

3. JAWS
 The opening titles begin with an underwater camera lurking underneath the water, almost trying to
take on the persona of a shark itself.This is complemented by the eerie and now well-known Jaws
theme, suggesting to the audience the deceptiveness and danger of what is beneath the surface. An
iconographic sound bridge in the beginning, and the audience are introduced to a sound motif,
which is alarming and ominous to the audience as it is only played when the shark is nearby or on
scene.The camera pans in a long shot from left to right and so gives a sense of setting and time for
the viewer to understand an analyse the relationship between the characters. Match shots and shot-
reverse-shot. As the girls swims in the sea, the camera shows her in a extreme long shot, as she
appears small, isolated and vulnerable in the vast expanse of water. However she isn't shown in the
centre of the screen, and so the off-balance is unsettling, as it could suggest she is not alone.to show
attraction and the close relationship between the male and female character. Much of the action is
shot from the shark’s perspective in a wide long shot, and so builds up tension by tracking the
movement of the girl, thus reinforcing the idea of the evil beneath. ross-cut editing suggests that
boy asleep on the beach might be able to save the girl. In this way the pace is also juxtaposed by
frantic, short and sharp shots of the girl as she is being attacked, while in contrast the sleeping boy is
shown in calm, lingering and static shots. Hardly no diegetic sound apart from talking of characters,
this means non diegetic sound can be used to create suspense of the shark attacking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acI5z9vyok

4. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
 Napoleon Dynamite is clearly of the comedy genre, which is shown by the different conventions used. As soon as
the title sequence begins we know it is going to be a light-hearted film from the presentation of the titles.This is
suggested by the logo being written in different types of sauce on a plate of food. Also, the objects used in the
sequence to present the titles strongly imply the comedy genre.The first title introducing one of the actors is a
prime example, as it contains irony and the supernatural. The fact that the character keeps ‘U.F.O abduction
insurance’ in his wallet suggests that the film is going to be a spoof of a sci-fi film and conveys that the film is
based around a nerdy person.This is a typical convention of comedy films as they tend to show the life of a nerdy
character and his friends. The location of the title sequence also implies the genre.The location varies between
parts of a house. For example, a room with a carpet, a table, tiled flooring.This location further creates
familiarity for the audience as they recognise the setting. My title sequence will also be shot inside a house in
various locations. In the Napoleon Dynamite title sequence the different locations are shown by the different
carpets in the background. In my title sequence the different locations will also be shown by the back ground
footage, such as having the fridge as the back ground, the kitchen cupboard door, a photoframe on the
computer desk etc.The simple composure of the objects in the title sequence also conveys comedy as it allows
us to focus on the titles and the way in which they are being presented. The back ground of the titles is
continuously plain and simple, with the objects containing the titles always prominent, as shown below.This
shows comedy as the way in which the titles are written is more striking.The main shot type used throughout
the sequence is a medium close up.This shot is used to draw the reader’s attention to both the objects and titles
as the director feels they are equally important in this sequence. They are important as the objects, such as food
and toy cars, provide the knowledge that the film is a comedy and portrays real life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdAa-x-DDsk

5. SCREAM
 The first noise the audience hear when watching the Scream opening scene is a high - pitched screech from a girl, this
represents the title of the film and displays what the film is likely to be about. It shows a genre ofThriller and Horror due
to the loud fearful yell.This already creates suspension and gets the audience thinking what is going to happen and why
a girl is screaming. It also introduces a female victim which suggests vulnerability and innocence due to a young girl
screaming.The screaming noise is being played as a background track while the audience can visually see the title of the
film which flashes up in white lettering with an edgy, scary look to it to representing the genre being aThriller/Horror.
This white lettering soon turns into red lettering which runs down the page like blood. Along with the girl screaming, a
phone is also ringing, this is still being played while the film title is being displayed, this links in with the film because the
first scene begins with a phone ringing.The effect of having a female as the victim is that it stereotypically means she is
vulnerable and too weak to fight anything off. Having a male victim would mean that he could turn into a hero by saving
the day instead of being effected by the villain. It is when the female picks up the ringing phone that the audience notice
she is alone.This suggests vulnerability and innocence to the audience, it also gives them a large idea that something is
likely to happen to this girl, especially from the previous signs and the film being aThriller/Horror. When she picks up the
phone the audience are introduced into what could potentially be the villain of the film.When the main character is on
the phone we get a close up shot of her face, this allows the audience to see the characters facial expressions, and in this
situation Drew Barrymore's character looks at ease and disinterested in the caller on the phone. She has a calm tone to
her voice which suggests that nothing dangerous or scary is going to happen soon. Sound is used very well in this
opening sequence. When the title is being shown there is a scream in the background.This shows the audience that it is a
horror film. As soon as the film starts they is a diegetic sound of a telephone ringing and the conversation we can hear all
the way through. Being able to hear the conversation creates awareness to the audience and enigma codes generate. As
the opening sequence gets tenser, non-diegetic sounds start (music that the audience can hear to create tension but the
character cannot actually hear it). Having the slow music shows that the character is in shock and creates dramatic
tension.There is also a diegetic sound of a dog barking - this gives an indication that something has alerted the dog and
something is around outside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3lSvJ5RXKA

6. QUANTUM OF SOLACE
 Quantum of Solace’ begins with an establishing shot of a long winding road, on what looks like mountains.This shot
shows that it’s not the regular cloudy England, because of the portrayed warm and sunny area, later in the scene it is
revealed as Italy.This location shows that Bond regularly goes abroad to stunning scenery and luxurious
accommodation within most of the Bond movies.This is an effective idea because it lets the audience feel that there in
that country too, and also imagine that they’re in the position of the Bond on screen. The beginning of the action starts
inside a cliffside tunnel upon a steep cliff.Tension is caused in the audience with a non-diagetic sound, slowly getting
louder informing the audience that something dangerous is about to happen.Then a quick cut scene appears of a
moving car wheel, it is uncertain what car it would be, but if it would stick to the James Bond tradition, it most likely
would be an Aston Martin.This automatically entices the audience’s attention, and wanting to know who could possibly
be in the high speed car.The music gets louder and the tempo rises, suggesting we are closing in on the main action
sequence. We then see a shot of another car, showing the audience that Bond is going to be beginning a car chase,
building excitement amongst the audience, and then the action falls into play, with guns firing, and cars swiftly weaving
in and out of civilian cars. he first thing that sets up the opening scene is the music.The music is very low-pitched and
tense, creating suspense and letting the audience know that something is about to happen.The sound design is very
prominent over the next twenty seconds, as the sound is in place of a soundtrack, and has to hold the audiences
interest. To do this every sound is boosted up, especially the sound of the cars engines and the machine gun fire, to bring
out the main elements of the scene. An interesting part of the sound editing is when the lorry hits the wall of the tunnel,
and instead of having the expected screeching of metal on concrete, the editor has put in a deep thudding noise to
increase the proportions of the scene and give it a more 'epic' feel. If the sound of screeching had been added then it
would have been unpleasant to the ear, as well as would have made the lorry seem lighter, and less of a danger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqmEHsoUot8