Opening scenes

Opening Scenes

Star Wars• Lighting – there is a glow surrounding the planet to create the realistic effect of a planet in

space. As well as this aneffect is used to cast light across the two planets in the shot which creates a shadow across the

other side of the planet. As the two spaceships travel through the shots bright flashes of light fill the screen as well as lights coming from the spaceships to represent lasers and explosions.

• Mise en scene – In the first shot there are 3 planets. One is large at the bottom of the shot and two others are in the distance, one slightly closer than the other. Two spaceships also travelacross the shot one much smaller than the other. As we see inside the ship, we are introduced to

the characters. Some of the characters are robots and some are humans. • Editing – Slow pace editing• Shot types/distances – in the opening scene they use many shots throughout the clip. An example of this is a high angle shot. This is seen when there is a conversation between two of the characters. As one is taller than the other a high angle shot is used to show the size

difference between characters as the conversation is happening. • Establishment of narrative – from the opening scene we can tell that the film is going to

be about space and possibly a rivalry between different sides in space. • Special effects – the special effects used in the opening scene are things such as the

spaceships which would have been added afterwards. At one point in the clip the characters look up and shortly after we are

presented with a low angle shot of what they are looking at. This ties the clips together well and shows smooth editing.

Jurassic Park• Lighting – low lighting at the beginning to show the time of day. Lights coming from the weapons that they are holding pointing onto the crate. • Mise en scene – In the first scene we can tell that the people are in some kind of

authority at the setting they are in. This is because they are holding guns and in a large group. Many of the characters are wearing hard hats showing they are part of a team. The main character has a different hat on showing a clear difference between them. When the crate arrives we understand that there is an animal inside of it that is very strong..

• Editing – slow pace editing at the beginning which changes to fast pace as the action begins to happen.

• Shot types/distances – Eye line match at the beginning to show what they are looking at – creates tension. Shot reverse shot from the thing coming through the trees to the people looking at it. View coming from the perspective of the animal inside the crate. we can tell that there is an animal inside because of it being an unsteady shot.

• Establishment of narrative – something arriving at somewhere that is heavily guarded because of the weapons they are seen to be holding and the amount of people there are at the location.

• Special effects – smoke at the end of the clip. The noises coming from the animal inside the crate. The lighting used through the crate is also a special effect.

• Lighting – natural lighting in the first clip as it is outdoors. As they move onto the football field the lighting changes to flooded lighting.

• Mise en scene – In the first scene it shows people running down the street. Deprived area holes in the walls, nothing in the houses showing lack of money. When it shows the two groups of footballers in their kits, the main team aren't in a specific team kit whereas the other team are which makes them come across much wealthier.

• Editing – the editing is slow pace at the beginning which slowly builds up throughout the opening scene as the day goes on. This could show that lots of things are happening throughout their day simultansiously.

• Shot types/distances – Close up shot of Renton just after he bumps into the car showing his reaction. He then smiles into the camera which puts the audience into the position of the driver in the car as Renton smiles.

• Establishment of narrative – From the opening scene we can tell that throughout the film we will be following the everyday lives of a group of close friends. As we see them running away from something as well as smoking we can begin to understand that they are trouble makers and this may be a pattern shown throughout the film.

Trainspotting

Hairspray• Lighting – Natural lighting as Tracy wakes up in the morning which is then continued as she

goes outside. This gives off the day to day life idea of the opening scene.• Mise en scene – The first scene is in Tracy’s bedroom. This ensures that the audience know

who the main character is and Tracy is introduced in this way. The costumes used in the opening scene are typical of the time the film is set in, the 60s. Tracy’s outfit gives the audience this information from first seeing it in the opening scene.

• Editing – as the opening scene begins extremely fast paced editing is used which begins to slow down when the main character, Tracy begins to sing on her way to school. The quick cuts between shots give the audience lots of information about where and when the film was set as it shows both the street and Tracy’s house as an esablishing shot.

• Shot types/distances – the first shot is an establishing shot so that we know the setting which is in Tracy’s bedroom. Extreme close up of Tracy’s eyes so we can see her expressions and excitement as she wakes up.

• Establishment of narrative – from the opening scene we can immediately see that the film is going to be musical as Tracy begins to sing. We can also recognise the time frame that the film is set in because the costumes worn are typical of the 60s as well as the technology in the shot featuring Tracy watching an old fashioned black and white TV. The décor of the house she is in, is also typical for the 60s.

• Special effects – not many special effects are used throughout the opening scene of Hairspray and this may be tied in with the idea of the film being set in the 60s when special effects would not have been available for use. However, the name of the film appears just after Tracy sprays her hairspray and the ‘Hairspray’ name appears.