Opening scene analysis

1. By Shriya Sharma Yr12E1
THE ROCK (1996)
OPENING SCENE
(ACTION)

2. -MISE-EN-SCENE-
The set design in THE ROCK is outside in the countryside where the military/soldiers are visible. They are shown
marching carrying a coffin and holding the flag of the USA, then carrying props like royal weapons and
instruments. The set design establishes the mood of the film, it allows us to be able to understand what the film
holds.
The film has low-key lighting this emphasizes that the film would enfold gloomy themes. It can also suggest the
mood of the characteristics of the character and what are their objectives. Low-key lighting can also convey the
highlights and are able to conceal themes such as misery.
I was able to identify the characters role because of their costume. Their costume is military sort of clothing. This
illustrates that the director decided to choose this particular costume to inform us their roles.

3. -EDITING-
In Editing, there are mostly cross-cutting which has been used throughout the opening scene.
There were 3 scenes with different locations which were occurring at the same time. The first scene shows a
bunch of military men marching together, their altogether carrying the coffin of their close- friend who was killed
in the war. Their heads are down, this emphasises that they are showing respect towards the fellow member who
died. We are unable to see the military members appearance but we can see their uniform and that they are
holding each side of the USA flag cloth; its like they are connecting with their country and displaying veneration.
The bold title ‘THE ROCK’ which is in a orange colour steadily comes towards the screen. The tone of the words
is like it has some fire texture mixed into it. Next, in the second scene we are able to see a white man getting up
from his seat and peering at some old liquor and brushes; its like he is reflecting on his past, this is occurring at
the same time as when the military were expressing their respects. This particular scene then has a cross-cutting
and there is a cut showing two helicopters accompanying each other rising through mid-air, a orangey sunset is
visible and the colour of sunset is orangey and red and it has a graphic match as it has a similar colour and tone
to the title- THE ROCK.
Straight after showing the helicopters, they would show a glimpse of the military this displays a link between the
two scenes. The camera would then cut and show the protagonist who is shown glancing at himself in the mirror
putting an important silvery necklace around his neck. The protagonist appears to be a military member who is
getting ready into his white-collar uniform. When the camera would focus on the protagonist, there would be a
cross-cutting again exhibiting the third scene where you can see two helicopters flying right down. Cross-cutting
is then repeated and we can see part of the protagonist blue eyes and then suddenly its cuts to flaming fire. The
sudden cut illustrates that the fire represents how he feels and that the protagonist is predicting the possible
negative scenarios would could undergo like death and horror.

4. -CAMERA-
There was varies camera shots used in the clip.
A Head-On-Shot was used when the military men were marching together holding the coffin, we are able to see
the movement of their march moving directly towards the camera.

5. -SOUND-
Several types of sounds were used in the clip.
Incidental music was used in the clip, the music used was heavy, full-of action military themed. The
incidental music played was non-diegetic and the purpose of using it was to create atmosphere in the scene
and to denote that we are in military themed surrounding.
Non-diegetic voice -over was also used which is accompanied with the incidental music; the voice-over turns
up when they show the anonymous man. We hear anonymous voices ‘’you gotta get us out of here now’’
then replying with ‘’I won’t let you down son’’. I believe that this dialogue is in the anonymous man’s head,
or coming from a random walkie talkie. This voice-over probably could be used to identify the character’s
current mood.
Ambient diegetic sound was used when they showed the two helicopters, we can hear helicopter sounds and
the moving air. The incidental music was still present at this moment. Voice-over was also used when they
cross-cutted to the military man, it was probably used to make us alert on the ambience.