The opening sequence of Skyfall establishes the genre, protagonist, and tone through its visuals and sound. Through a surreal dreamscape featuring weapons and danger shown through dense shadowing and changing locations, the mise-en-scene conveys this is an action film. James Bond is clearly established as the protagonist through repeated close-ups and tracking shots that follow him. Additionally, Adele's powerful soundtrack reinforces the dark and tense atmosphere, setting the tone for the film through sound alone until dialogue begins after the opening titles.

1. Skyfall
By Zaryab Zubair

2. Contents
• Screenshot Grid
• Mise-en-scene
• Camerawork/Editing
• Sound
• EstablishingThe Protagonist
• Back-story
• Genre

3. Screenshot Grid

4. Camerawork/Editing
• In the opening sequence of Skyfall the camera appears to be tracking Bond
throughout the title sequence, this gives the impression that we are
following him on a journey. In addition in the first scene we see him being
dragged down into the unknown generating tension and relaying the
uncertainty of Bonds safety to the audience.

5. Mise –En-Scene
• The mise-en0scene is shown as a surreal dreamscape of guns, enemies, blood and daggers, In an
underwater location/setting with dense shadowing.This provides the audience a sense of
danger, thrill, and also mystery. Additionally the way that the weapons are manipulated into the
objects for example as the daggers into the gravestones also gives away what genre film it is.
• The colors black and red were used which have connotations of actin and also death.
• The location changes throughout the title sequence, implying Skyfall has elements of both
action and fast pace reviling the genre of the film.
• Clothing: Suit, indication of significance in film (along with repetition of presence in opening
sequence), suggests power, authority, professionalism, and potentially a serious character.

6. Sound
• During the Skyfall title opening sequence, a soundtrack which is delivered
furthermore preformed by the singer Adele is played throughout the
opening sequence.What's more the soundtrack accentuates and also
reinforces the dark and the powerfulness of the mise-en-scene in Skyfall. In
my opinion the power ofAdele's voice is portrayed fits alongside the mise-
en-scene flawlessly and also fits the connotations of a class James Bond
tune. Another convention observed in Skyfall is for no dialogue to be used
until after the titles and them tune finished.

7. Establishing the protagonist
• Establishing the protagonist in Skyfall wasn't that difficult as firstly we see a low
angle shot, which typically connotes power, however at the start of the opening
sequence we only see the back of the protagonist as he gradually sinks deeper into
the ocean. In addition this also connotes the protagonists vulnerability and loss of
control.
• Furthermore, we see a tracking long shot which is used to follow the protagonist
and this allows the audience to see his facial expression.
• Overall, the propagandist is in nearly every scene of the opening sequence from
the start to the very end, which makes it easier for the audience to determine the
protagonist.

8. Back-Story
• A ‘back story’ is information which the audience needs to know in order to
fully appreciate the main narrative, in many films the whole opening
sequence is a separate narrative of something which happened in the past.

9. Genre
• It is clear through the used of dark colors, images of guns in multiple scenes,
and the tense powerful music that the genre of Skyfall is action, these
where all introduced in the opening sequence.