Action Film Opening Analysis: Batman The Dark Knight

   

The opening scene for Batman - The Dark Knight   begins with a robbery inside of a bank where gun shots/guns can be seen and heard. This indicates that the genre of this film is action as it contains weapons that are a common convention in all action films. In addition to this the robbery is taken place in a bank further confirms the genre. The atmosphere created, by the robbers, in the setting of the opening scene builds up tension and adds chose to the scene. This keeps the audience at the edge of their seats and makes us intrigued in the plot line of the movie.

Despite that Mise en scene is used to disguise the robber’s faces; close up shot is used to show their costumes. Masks are usually associated with criminals and villains, which implies that the robbers don’t want to be identified. this is because they are committing a crime and don’t want to be captured or punished for it. In the audience’s minds, this makes us curious because we are unable to recognize or establish the men in masks. However can only assume they are linked to the antagonist because of their actions are against the law.

The dark/dim lighting used throughout the opening scene creates a sense of mystery and hits an important event is going to take place. Editing, such as cross cutting is used to show the men in masks creating havoc inside of the bank and two other characters outside working on the silent alarm. The scene then focuses on the two men outside where the one behind soot’s the one in front. This makes the audience confused and asks questions to why the man betrayed and killed one of his own teammates. He then kills more of his teammates, which makes us think of conclusions to why the character is selfish and greedy for all the money. Throughout the opening, the character “Joker” is discussed by the robbers in clown masks. Judging by the conversation it appears that he is the main antagonist and an important character.

Furthermore, diegetic sounds are used in the opening for example gunshots, screaming and loud heavy quick paced running. These sound effects add drama to the scene because screaming suggests danger and gunshot connote death/injury. Also, non-diegetic low-key music is played in the background as the scene begins to become more intense slowly building up suspense and tension.

Many camera angles are used in the opening. The camera angle long shot is used to show a character standing in middle of a busy city. This is another generic convention of an action film it’s usually set in modern big cities.

There are numerous amount of close up shots of the masks the robbers are wearing, which highlights that the masks are a significant aspect of the film.

Shot reverse shot is used to show the conversation between the two characters before one gets ran over by the bus. The scene then ends with a close up shot of the masked man removing his disguise who appears to be the Joker. This tells the audience he is the main character and the plot is based around him as he is given prevalence. Likewise, the close up shot is also used to show the characters face in detail. The camera shot helps the audience imminently remember the characters face in upcoming scenes and what to aspect when he does appear.

Action Film Opening Analysis: The Mechanic

In the opening scene of “The Mechanic” begins with a close up shot of a watch being placed on the table. This implies the character that placed the watch down in very wealthy and rich because we can see multiple watches on the table.

After the close up shot a low angle shot is used to show a male character entering through large doors. The camera angle makes the character appear powerful and strong. This makes the audience feel inferior and small compared to the character in the scene. Straight away the audience are able to identify that he is the evil antagonist. This is because he falls into the stereotypical villain in all action film for example: powerful, physically less impressive and well off.

Furthermore, the antagonist has manly bodyguards present at all times. This suggests, due to the character being less masculine, he needs the comrades to protect him from the protagonist.        

Shortly, after the audience gets introduced to a new character that is hiding beneath the swimming pool. We see the antagonist being drowned by a mysterious character, perhaps the protagonist. The non-diegetic music makes the scene appear more dramatic as the two men wrestle underwater. The diegetic sound effects of the antagonist screaming underwater for help builds tension. This is because it causes the audience to be on the edge of our seats making us curious if the antagonist will survive or not.   

The non-diegetic music quietens down once the character has successfully drowned the antagonist. This implies the character is dead.  From the opening scene, the audience are able to identify genre is action because in all action films the opening scene involves a death scene. This informs the audience there will be a lot more death of characters in upcoming scenes.

Then the scene cuts to the unidentified character running down the stairs quickly. The loud and tense non-diegetic music shows the character is in a rush.

To show the character is undressing himself camera angles such as close up shot and medium shot it used. This is conventional in action films because it shows the audience that he is the hero. We know this because he looks like the stereotypical protagonist in all action films muscular, tough looking and has no remorse for killing someone.

Furthermore, the non-diegetic music creates suspicious, which implies the character is on a mission.

Once the comrades discover the antagonist is dead a close up shot of the protagonist's face is shown. This informs the audience he killed the antagonist.  His facial expression is very serious showing he is focusing on trying to escape discreetly.

Dietetic sound used in the opening further conforms it’s an action film because we hear the comrades speaking a different language. In the genre most villains are foreign they are mostly from non-western countries like Russia or the Middle East. 

Mise en scene is used to shows the attack on the antagonist was totally un-expected. This is because before the comrades outside get the messages about their boss. The location of the set is very peaceful and sunny, which suggest the sudden attack, was unpredictable.

Action:Target Audience

Action Conventions

Horror Film Analysis: The Woman in Black

In the opening scene for the women in black it begins with a close up shot of a children’s tea set with some diegetic music playing the background. The music used sounds creepy this creates a mysterious atmosphere that implies an event is going to take place. In addition, there are multiple close up shots of worn out scary looking dolls. This is a common convention in most horror films as they usually include props that are old looking and from the past era.

An establishing shot is used to introduce 3 young girls who are throwing a tea party for their dolls we know this because the dolls are placed around a table in a circle. The children can be seen brightly smiling and happily playing together in order to capture the characters facial expressions two shot and close up shot is used.  Children are common characters in horror films usually the victims either they get murdered or are manipulated and possessed by a greater evil. In society children symbolise innocence and purity. However, the children in horror films subvert the general representation and are portrayed as possessed, ghosts, evil and killers.

Through the use of mise en scene the audience are able to recognise where the film is set Edwardian period in Britain. This is because tea is a typical British connotative symbol and costume worn by the children wad traditional clothing from the Edwardian era. Furthermore, the dress worn by the characters has monochromatic colour schemes white, gray and begin. The monotone colours connote pure, youth and innocence.  

Further into the opening scene the children suddenly stop playing and turn to the camera positioned in the corner of the room. From the camera shot, the audience gets to see a clear image of the setting for the first time. The room that appears to be an attic that is very minimalistic and empty. However, the setting has props such as an old pram and a rocking horse to suggest to the audience it’s a playroom/nursery. The lighting in the room is low key with the window being the only source of light. Low-key lighting is conventional in the genre horror to create a mood that is eerie and ghostly.  

 Looking, towards the window the children stand up and begin to walk.  Synchronous sound and numerous close up shots are used in the scene to capture the moments where the children step and break their toys placed on the floor.  This creates curiosity in the audience minds because the 3 girls went from having a child like behavior to strange/unusual behavior as if they were possessed. In the background, the non-diegetic music gradually gets louder and is emphasised, as the children get closer to the window, which makes the scene dramatic and intense.

To show the 3 girls are approaching the window a medium shot is used. Furthermore, the shot also shows the children have no facial expression this suggests that they are unaware and not in control of their own bodies. Once the 3 girls jump out the window the background music fades away into complete silence while the camera zooms out.  A final establishing shot is then used to inform the audience that the children are no longer there.

Lastly, in the right hand corner part of a black silhouette appears. This implies that she was the murder (women in black) that possessed the children to kill them self.

Despite that death in the opening scene is typical in horror films as it captures the audience attention making then engaged in the movie from the beginning.

Horror Film Opening Analysis:Drag Me To Hell

The opening scene from "Drag me to hell” begins with an establishing shot of a house, which represents the importance of it and implies a key event is going to occur. Furthermore, mise en scène is used to indicate Drag Me To Hell is a horror film because it uses low-key lighting suggesting there is some type of evil spirit. Likewise, the setting of the opening scene is in an isolated place that is a typical convection in a horror movie.   

Despite that, a pickup truck pulls up at the house, the location and date are shown to present the setting and time era. This gives the audience a chance to adapt to surroundings of the situation in the opening scene.

Shortly after, a female character rushes out the truck and knocks desperately at the door screaming the owner's name for help. The panic in the women’s voice suggests that someone is in danger or at risk. Once the owner appears medium shots is used to introduce the character, which represents her importance, due to the fact the medium shot is only used on her.  

As the parents of the boy reveal the silver necklace he’d stolen from a gyps wagon a fly appears. The fly connotes death, as it swirls around the boy, indicating he is going to dye.

From the opening scene, there are negative representations of two cultures Gypsies and Mexicans. The Mexican family is shown as not well off due to the clothing they are wearing; the truck they arrived in looks tacky suggesting they are poor. In addition to this gypsy's are portrayed as evil, sinister and some who is able to do black magic/witchcraft. This is because the stolen necklace was from a traveler’s wagon. The gypsy lady refused to take the necklace back and instead punished the boy by casting a curse on him.

Close up shot is used to show emotions such as fear, afraid and frightened. As the voices in the boy’s head get louder he uses the blanket to comfort himself using it as protection. Furthermore, the boy is in the middle of the shot. This tells the audience whatever appears in the next scene will involve him.

Fast- paced editing is used to show the chaos in the scene, caused by the evil spirit, that pushes the boy off the balcony. This is effective as it causes the audience to feel anxious and concerned for the boy.

Non-diegetic sounds like a single suspended note can be heard. The effect this has on the audience is that it creates tension and mystery.

 When the boy gets dragged into hell the audience is unable to see the antagonist face. However, we do see his hands making the audience curious about the plot because the scene ends with “they’ll meet again.”

Horror Target Audience