This document provides a detailed shot-by-shot summary and analysis of the opening sequence of an unnamed film. It establishes that the sequence begins in the past, showing a mysterious male character collecting specimens in a cluttered room lit with lanterns. Fast-paced close-ups build urgency as he draws illustrations and seals them with wax. A flash of light then emanates from the book, causing a loud roar. The title of the film is then revealed 80 years later as a car arrives at the house in the present day.

2. In these first two shots we are shown
what companies were involved in
working on the film. Paramount and
Nickelodeon Movies. We hear music
start playing that isn’t the normal sound
we hear when we see these logo’s so
we know that the mood is starting to be
established as soon as it starts.

3. In these next few shots we are shown a
montage of what we can make out to be
insects and amphibians in jars. This creates a
suspicious and eerie mood as the audience
wonder why and what exactly is going on.
The cold blues
we can see link
back to thriller
openings as they
are commonly
seen in them. The
music contrasts
to this as it
withholds a
magical and
fantasy element
building up the
scene and going
with what we are
being shown by
the extreme
close ups.

4. When we are shown this master shot we
are revealed to some of the surroundings
which helps the audience to wonder
where exactly we are. The gold titles that
appear resemble an almost treasure
feeling and is written in a serif styled font.
As the scene progresses the music
becomes upbeat creating the sense of
a climax will occur. Then the door
suddenly opens it surprises the audience
and hooks in their attention more to
watch on and try to figure out who this
person is. This builds up a sense of
urgency to the piece.
The vibrant orange lighting we see
highlights and reveals more of what is
actually in the jars. This creeps out the
audience a little as what we are shown
appears quite spooky and just adds more
to the mysterious and unknown
atmosphere that we are feeling.

5. In this mid shot we see the back of the
person carrying a lantern. The effect of
this makes the audience think that
maybe this is in an older era as normally
there would be a light switch if it was
modern times. The fact that the
characters identity is hidden once again
links to a thriller as this is popular in that
genre.
The next few fast pace extreme close ups
reveal more and more animals and insects
giving the audience an impression that this
person is a scientist or someone along those
lines due to the large collection of species
they have. The fast pace really builds up
the urgency even more.

6. Then we are shown a mid-long shot of a
desk. It appears very cluttered and messy.
The fact that the character rushes to it
creates the feeling that he is up to
something. The minimal lighting continues
the eerie and mysterious atmosphere.
In the next few extreme close ups they
are played at a really fast pace to
increase and establish a panicking and
urgent atmosphere. The pace could also
represent the speed of which the
character is doing something and
thinking.
When we see this big close up of pins and
what we can make out names. We start to
build up in our minds that maybe this
person is making something or collecting
certain things. We can then link this to the
previous shots we have seen of the species
in the glass containers.

7. Previous shots and including this extreme
close up confirm that who ever this
character may be they definitely collect
these abnormal species that we see in
this book that the audience is shown.
We are slowly revealed bit by bit of the
characters appearance. Our vision of this person
is obstructed due to out of focus objects in the
close up and extreme close up shots. We get the
feeling that maybe this person doesn’t want to
expose themselves. But from what we can see,
we can identify that it is a male due to the
features that we can see.

8. This mid-long shot of the back of the male
reveals him in his surroundings. We definitely
get the feel that we are in an older era just
by looking at what is in the shot. The
audience start to imagine just what this
person could be and what he is possibly up
to by linking together and reflecting on
previous shots.
In the next few shots we are shown extreme
close ups of illustrations that the character is
drawing. Our minds are then broadened to
maybe this person is interested in mythical
creatures as we cant identify them but then we
are given names to clarify this. The use of this
adds a scary element to the atmosphere as the
drawings are quite graphic and intriguing.

9. This wax stamp seal seems really key as the camera
seems to be really focused on it. Straight after the
character stamps this we see a flash of light rush
over the book almost resembling fire, highlighting its
importance. Then we see close ups of the reaction
of the character doing this as wind is heard and a
wind resembling force is seen as objects and the
character have a negative reaction to it.
In this extreme long shot of the house reveals
to the audience a strong force shoot out
from the house. The audience then link this
and build up the suspicion that the book had
done this. We hear a loud roar, making the
audience want to know who or what done
this. All these shots really build up an eerie
climax and atmosphere.
We are then finally revealed to what the
character looks like. We see a mid shot showing
his bewildered and concerned expression that
he has. We are almost included in feeling this as
we in a way relate to him as we feel the same
and are wondering what just happened, like he
is. The next shots show more of his reaction to the
situation.

10. After seeing close ups of the characters face, heightening
his emotions and adding to the atmosphere, we then see
this mid shot of him which appears as even though he is
looking out of the window he still wants to be hidden as
the lighting covers up half of his face. The use of
positioning the character in this specific part of the shot
makes us focus more on him and what he’s doing. The
camera then tracks out, travelling through tree’s etc.
Giving the audience a feeling as though they were there
spying on him.
We are then presented the title of the film
that appears in a very mystical, magical
and fantasy style. The colour of it reflects
this and the use of it fading in and then
out again creates and adds to the
magical element in a small manner.
After being revealed the title this
extreme long shot of the house comes
back into focus and the heading “80
Years Later” appear, in the same
golden serif styled font. The use of this
confirms that we were in the past and
brings it back to modern times.

11. We then see a long shot of a car driving
into the shot. We are then introduced to
new characters and a new situation.
This makes us then wonder who these
people are, why are they at this house
and why at this eerie time of night. We
get the feel that they may possibly be
moving in but we aren’t revealed to
much in the opening sequence so the
audience want to watch on to follow
the story line and get to know what
happens and what relevance these
characters posses.