The opening sequence of a movie is vital to setting the scene and tone of the film. it gives the audience an insight into what their about to watch and whether it's something they'll enjoy or not. During a lesson we looked through a few opening sequences; each one with something different to offer. We listed out the functions of one movie - 'Goodfellas' by Scorses (1990).
From watching the opening sequence of this film we found out a lot about what to expect and also what they wanted to show most; whether it being the theme, tone, character introductions, plot. in this case it was introducing us to mainly the characters and who will be the main.
Here is a list of things from the 2 minute opening sequence and it's functions:
(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8pQJOeTkFs)
- Opening titles starts with the above the line talent. This consists of the producer, director, production company and actors. The people who will sell the movie to the audiences.
(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8pQJOeTkFs)
- 'This film is based on a true story.' This sentence straight away is a 'hook' but not a obvious one. It's something to make the audience think 'Wow, this really happened?' and perhaps relate to. If something is true it makes the audience feel like it's more authentic and want to find out more. It offers more information.
- The scene starts with a car ride in the middle of the night lasting 10 seconds. From this the audience can already sense some sort of build up occurring.
(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGs-yzWrjdI)
- At 0:44 the audience is given a time and place for the movie, this being New York, 1970. This automatically sets the theme for the film and the audience already know from the year what codes and conventions to expect to see.
(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGs-yzWrjdI)
- 0:46 seconds we're introduced to the first 3 characters. They don't have much dialogue but from what they do say it causes a dramatic build up, their questioning what the banging noise is and we, the audience, are immediately 'hooked' into finding out what it is.
- 1:15-1:20 seconds the director uses a tracking shot to slowly zoom into the boot of the car, creating emphasis and dramatic tension as to what's inside. This is almost like a second 'hook' on the audience.
- This is where the audience start to figure out some characters personalities and the suspense reaches it's peak. In the above image (a)you can see one of the three characters quickly pulling out a large knife, this tells the audience that this person is very hostile and whatever is in the boot of the car is perhaps dangerous or innocent resulting in this particular character to be dangerous himself. Referring back to image (b) we see another character, this one much quieter and some what nervous, hastily open the boot.
(source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGs-yzWrjdI)
- Inside the boot is where the shock factor hits the audience for the first time, the 'hook' is in place for a third time leaving the audience to question 'Who is this man in the boot?' 'Why is he inside the boot of the car?' 'Why is he badly injured' and 'Who are these 3 other characters?' This also tells the viewers that the theme/tone/genre of the movie they are about to see is an action based movie in the form of violence.
- At 1:40 we see the shortest character violently attack the man in the boot with his large knife. Immediately the second shock factor hits the audience and we automatically create persona for this character. We see that from his use of offensive language "f***ing" and "look at me, look in my f****ing eyes!" while stabbing the 4th character we assume he is a angry, violent and dangerous man. This also gives off the sense he could be a villain. As well as character building it also sets of a solid theme for the movie and that it consists of graphic violence.
- Immediately after the 3rd character comes into shot and shoots the man with a gun. His approach is some what of a quick killer like an assassin and this makes the audience see that he is perhaps the intelligent one or sly character when compared to the forceful, close contact 1st character.
- We then hear a voice over and this tells us that the person speaking is the main character. It shows the man above with the over voice and he says "As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be a gangster." This is the setting stone and official point in the opening sequence that this film is in fact an action movie as gangsters are a connotation of violence. Music then starts to play of a cheery tempo and it gives off a comedic value to the opening scene, also putting an input into the idea that this movie may be action but also comedy too. The genre of the music is the 50's which symbolizes the prime time (1930 - 1960) of gangsters and crime.
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