Analysis of 4 film openings

1. 4
FILM
OPENIN
GS

2. Jurassic Park
Lighting
The lighting used for the opening scene was very dark and
gloomy to create a scary, tense atmosphere as the
audience wonders what's rustling in the trees. However, it
then brightens up dramatically to focus on the box as the
audience wonders what's in it. The audiences attention
instantly concentrates on this as the lightening makes it
dominant.

3. The mise en scene incorporates a range of props and
costumes to make the sequence seem more realistic. For
example, the workers all have hats on to connote the danger
of the animal inside the crate. They also hold Tasers which
suggests to the audience there could be threat to the
workers therefore they have to be prepared. The security of
the dinosaur implies that it is highly unsafe therefore creates
a tense atmosphere to the scene.
Mise en scene

4. There is a variation of shots
incorporated within the scene. For
example the shot extreme close up is
used many times to show the key
emotion on the characters such as:
when he is screaming it shows he is in
agonising pain; on the dinosaurs eye
to give the audience a peak of the
monstrosity of the creature and on a
workers eye to show he is struggling.
Shot types/
Distances
There is also a long shot to establish the
area for the audience and to show the
scene. You can clearly observe that it is a
very important moment as we can see a
multitude of workers surrounding the
cage and all the lights on focusing upon it.
We also finally get a sense of the amount
of security involved within keeping the
creature maintained as we see the big

5. The editing is very slow pace at the beginning to
create a very mysterious setting. It also seems
quite calm to the viewers as if everything is
under control. Then suddenly the pace instantly
increases when the action occurs to create a
more intensified moment and to add
excitement.
Editing
Special Effects
The noise of the dinosaur is added to make us believe that the create is
actually there. In addition, because we cant always see the dinosaur, it
adds the excitement to the scene and creates the image of the creature in
our heads before we even see it.
Sounds
At the very beginning of the opening scene when the titles are up, there is
dark and tense background music to immediately create a gloomy,
mysterious atmosphere.

6. Lighting
Jaws
The lighting at the beginning of the clip
starts off very relaxed as it is a natural light
from the fire. This sets a calm, sociable
atmosphere to the start of the movie as
the audience get the sense of normality
which is soon to be changed. Then when
she begins to run into the water, the
lighting is a lot darker so we then see the
more scarier night in comparison to the
happier fire lighting. This definitely makes
the audience feel tense as we can see that
something bad might happen. Also, when
she is in the water, the lighting focuses
primarily on her so we know the shark is
about to attack. This makes it a lot more
terrifying as we can clearly observe
something horrible might happen to her.

7. Mise en Scene
The mise en scene at the very beginning is
very simplistic however effective. It uses
minimal props such as cigarettes, party cups, a
guitar and a fire to create a youthful feel as it
seems to be a party on the beach. The
characters are all dressed in fashionable
clothing so the audience can instantly see it’s a
young gathering. It also creates the sense of
normality towards the scene as you wouldn’t
think anything was about to happen. However,
when she runs into the sea it is very basic as
there is nothing really included within the
mise en scene. Although there is one
dominant prop used when she is in the water
as she grabs onto it to try and survive. This
keeps the audience engaged as we still have
hope she could live.

8. Shot types/ Distances
There is a variety of shot types used within the
opening sequence such as a long shot to establish
the scene and so the audience can get a clear
image as to where they are. It is also used when
she is in the sea alone to show how far out she is
into the sea and that she is isolated therefore it is
dangerous.
Also, a tracking shot has been used when she is
running into the sea to get the sense of action. In
addition, they have used close ups when she is
screaming in the ocean to emphasise her pain and
emotion throughout getting attacked. This makes
it a lot more intense and horrifying for the
audience.

9. E.TLighting
The lighting in the opening sequence is very dark
and mysterious at the beginning to set a tense
atmosphere. The gloomy lighting also adds to
the extra terrestrial theme and gives a bigger
effect on the spaceship as the audience try's to
figure out what is happening. In addition, the
bright lights entering out from the spaceship
makes it more dominant as it stands out from
the darkness. This engages the audience as we
are more curious as to what is inside. Overall, its
very effective because it builds up the slightly
scary but mysterious setting. It most definitely
represents the alien/ out of space element
because the cloudy lighting is a typical
stereotype. The bright light also focuses on the
aliens features to give the audience a glimpse
and idea of what they look like.

10. Mise en scene
The mise en scene in the opening sequence to E.T
has a variety of different things within it. Firstly, at
the beginning the tree’s are there to basically set
the scene and to create the woodland area where
the aliens are. It also gives a perfect camera angle
as to when it peers through the tree’s to get a
glimpse at the spaceship which is very secretive and
mysterious. Also, the spaceship itself is very
important as it’s the main focus throughout the
scene. The viewers are trying to get a sense of the
situation by figuring out what this object is doing
here. In addition, the strange plants and unusual
scenery also adds to the surreal atmosphere and
keeps the audience more interested. Even though
the mise en scene is very basic and simplistic, it still
creates a great first scene as its meant to be
focusing on the alien which is the main character.

11. Shot types/distances
Firstly, a establishing shot is used to identify
the spaceship and show the woodland
surrounding which demonstrates that it is
very secretive and mysterious. There is then
a close up of the aliens fingers as that is an
iconic part of the film and it emphasises the
aliens feauture as the audience are unsure
to what it is. This is also the first look at the
alien, which isn't a lot as its keep unknown
for a while. It doesn’t fully reveal the alien
until later on to keep the audience engaged
and intrigued to find out more. In addition,
tracking is used when the alien is running
away to create the chasing effect and build
upon the fact he missed the space ship and
has now been left. There is also many long
shots used to show the area and emphasise
the size of the alien in comparison to
humans and other objects such as trees.

12. Editing
The editing at the beginning is very slow for a while to build up the atmosphere and play
upon the mysterious alien theme. However, when the action of the police officers arriving
and chasing the alien, it suddenly picks up and has a lot fast cuts to create a quick pace.
This makes it a lot more tense and exciting for the audience.
Special Effects
Due to the unrealistic element of aliens, many special effects were incorporated into the
scene such as the spaceship flying as appose to the alien itself. This created a sense of
realism towards the aliens and to exceed the expectations of what would happen if aliens
were here. It also adds to the excitement of the film.
Sounds
The sounds included within the scene is varied. At the beginning, unordinary, mysterious
music is played to highlight the extra terrestrial theme. Also, the sound of the alien is
included to show its unhuman features and to create tension for the audience.

13. INDIANA JONESFirstly, the lighting is very bright so we can clearly see
the unusual scenery and surroundings.
Throughout the opening scene,
the lighting is very high lit and
bright to emphasise on the
action element and to make the
obscure location more vivid.
There is a period where the
lighting is a lot more darker due
to them being in a cave and to
make it seem more mysterious
as they find the treasure.

14. Mise en scene
The mise en scene is quite simple in
the opening scene however does
include a lot. Firstly, the scene is set
in a very unique location. The
costumes and props used indicate that
its set in a different time period as
there is horses and old cars. The
costumes also represent it being very
adventurous as there are sheriff hats,
rucksacks and many other things. The
key prop used in the scene was the
treasure which was very important as
it is a iconic part of the film therefore,
made it a lot more entertaining and
interesting when it was stolen.

15. Shot types/distances
There is a variety of shots used throughout the opening scene to create
effect. Firstly, an establishing shot is used to show the location of the
bizzare area they appear to be in. There is also many long shots used to
show the comparison in size between the people and the big rock type
caves. It shows how big of an adventure it is. Also a tracking shot is used
to show the secret location of the boys spying on the men who find the
treasure. In addition to this, the shot type ‘match on action’ is used
frequently to engage the audience and give more excitement to the
action that is happening in the scene.

16. Editing
The editing used it very slow pace at the beginning however, when the chase
occurs as she steals the treasure it becomes more faster pace to create tension
and excitement.
Special Effects
There isnt many special effects used in the scene as its all quite realistic.
Sounds
There is suspenseful but fast pace, joyful kind of music played when the chase
begins to create the atmosphere. Also, when the boy escapes and runs away with
the treasure, the typical iconic theme tune is played to represent the action,
success element of the film. It shows the outcome of the task and represents the
action genre really well. Other side effects are added such as gun shots to make it
more realistic and add excitement as weapons are expected in this type of movie
genre.