The film starts with the production company logo and then goes straight into the first scene. This gives a slightly rushed effect and adds realism. The mise en scene is realistic to the time period and social class of the two main characters in this scene. They are smoking and wear average clothes showing that might be the type of people to rob a restaurant. It starts with fairly common shots in over the shoulder shots and mid shots as the two speak to each other. They have common accents and swear a lot in their dialogue, this also adds to the effect of the fact that they are likely people to rob a restaurant. As the man starts to panic and worries about the consequences the shot changes to a mid/close up which is central to his face to show his emotions and feelings. It also zooms in on him as he tries to make his point more to show that he really doesn't want to do it. Whereas, the woman does want yo and as she tries to persuade him it gets to a more close up shot. As the man puts the gun down on the table the sound is emphasised to make the gun seem heavy. When the titles come up the music is lively like what has just happened on screen. The titles are in a distinctive font on a black background with pictures relevant to the film in it. For example, there is a white gun. Then suddenly when the list of people who are on screen stop, the music changes to a more laid back song that is relevant of the time the film is set and the list of people off screen comes up, ie director, sound.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004 Roland Emmerich) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB6q3lu7oms
This film starts with a black screen, the first titles fade in and then move downwards until off the screen. This represents the end of the world with the titles moving down. The first shot is a master shot possibly done using a helicopter or computer graphics. When this ends there is a close up of an American flag moving in the wind. This shows the effect of the weather, and that the film is going to be about the country of America teaming together. There are lots of wobbly hand held camera shots on the 3 men as they work in the snow. This shows fear and confusion. The effect of this opening is similar to that of Pulp Fiction because it makes the audience want to watch on and acts as a kind of prologue and cliff hanger at the start of the film.
Poseidon (2006 Wolfgang Petersen) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXrcTto7mzI&feature=related
The film starts with a low angle shot under water just looking upwards in the water. This is apparant to the plot/title of the film. The titles come up with orchestral music that gives it a meaningful feeling. The titles finish and the film's title comes up as some kind of figure moves in the water. This makes the audience wonder what the figure is thus will watch on.
All three of these openings are made in a way that makes the audience want to watch on. They introduce the theme of the film and all act as a cliffhanger into the main part of the film.
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