Opening scene to pulp fiction

The clip starts with the sound of a motor bike starting up as the definition of 'pulp' appears on a blank black screen with shire writing the contrasting simple colours immediately indicate the genre of the film, they have edited it so that the writing shakes slightly which is also very effective as it creates the mood of a thriller that the film is going to be somewhat dark.

The opening scene is of a couple discussing their plans of robbery, they appear to be a normal couple in a cafe fooling around, the sound is all diagetic in this with only the sound of speaking, background noise and cheerful music in the background being played in the cafe this works well as it contrasts with what you were expecting to happen. It follows the typical conventions of a thriller starting with a normal setting. The same Mid-shot of the couple is used for about a minute and then shot-reverse-shot, panning shots and over-shoulder shots are introduced as their conversation progresses which introduces the characters more and makes the audience aware of them being the antagonists. Suddenly the characters roles become apparent when the use of guns as props are used to threaten people in the cafe. Almost immediately as they have shouted the fast paced quirky music starts and the screen goes back to black with bright orange font appearing with the credits to the film, the title of which is animated. The music and colours used create a strong contrast to the dark and eerie effect you would normally find with a thriller but I feel it works very well to make it a little more light hearted and humorous for the audience in contrast to the previous scence of a shooting threat.

The characters in this first scene are dressed in casual wear and have normal make-up which works well in the film as they do not want attention drawn to them and wish to be under cover and discreet before they make their threat.

After the credits having finished a new scene is introduced of two new characters which are dressed smartly as gangsters in a posh car cruising down a road, background music can be heard as well as the dialogue between the two characters. A side on close-up shot is used of the two men throughout the car journey, this makes the audience focus on the conversation between the two. Shot-reverse-shot is used between the two men in their conversation but the shots are still very close-up, the genre of the film is apparent because of the dialogue between the first two characters and of course the following two men in the sceond scene, the sub-genre of crime is also very clear because of the two gansters and the immediate gun shooting threat in the first scene, which prepares the audience for what the rest of the film is going to entail.

When the two men have left the car a shot from below is used as they get their weapons from the boot of the car which indicates power on their behalf. Natural light and bright colours are used throughout the film clip which I viewed which again contrasts with your typical thriller as they normally use the opposite of this. However it works very well in this film due to the humorous side of it which is reflected in their casual conversation before going to attack people. Tracking shot is used as you watch the two men walk to the building and then a birds eye view which is a good establishing shot of the building they have entered.

The locations are all rather ironic in the opening to this film because they are not isolated and are all in a everyday situation which all viewers can relate to. The film is a twist on your typical thriller but certainly works very well doing it this way.

Analysis of Love Actually

Love Actually is a 2003 British Christmas themed romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis. The screenplay delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a wide variety of individuals, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their tales progress. The ensemble cast is composed predominantly of British actors.Set in London, the film begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month later. The opening two minutes of love actually shows the text of film producer, music producer, editing producer. This makes it more professional and a feel to the film.The beginning of the film just shows people hugging and kissing which links with the name of the film 'love' actually. Which infers that its a genre of romance.


A strong opening sequence would immediately demonstrate and clearly lay out the genre of the film in hand, meaning a good director would successfully be able to undertake this action within the first two minutes of a sequence. Taking this into consideration, I am therefore going to analyse the opening sequence of the film 'Love Actually' and come to a conclusion as to whether I personally think the director has set the story out successfully, but at the same time created a well needed and significant chain of narrative enigma.

Analysis of The Dark Knight

The opening titles of the film have been altered to try and set the scene of the film. For example all the companies involved usual opening title colours have been replaced with much more dark and gloomy colours. This shows a clear attempt to try and introduce the film as a Action. This takes a good effect as it does succeed to set the scene and gives the audience acknowledgement of the type of film. Also special effects are used the opening sequence to give it more depth and create a larger effect. Then it cuts to a ariel shot to show the audience the surroundings from above. It is a city scene, then match cuts to a man wearing a clown-faced mask. This introduces the sense of mystery . A close-up is used on the man with the clown mask, then continues to zoom out to show more men also wearing clown masks. These men are interpreted as the 'villain's' of the film and the camera is on purpose focusing on the evil-like masked men, to emphasize the unusualness to create this view. A lot of match cuts are used when the men are entering the building, they are fast-paced to build tension and pull together the scene,Action films are renounded for doing this. Also jump cuts are used between the men breaking in and the men in the van. There is a strong focus on the men in the van to portray that although there is a bank robbery, something bigger is happening here, that will introduce the main characters and lead on to introduce the rest of the story-line. Sound is made up mainly of the extremely loud gun-shots when the masked men are breaking into the bank. The sounds are very sharp and aimed to make the audience jump. This creates the scene as a classic tension building Action opening. 

Codes and Conventions of Romance

Codes and Conventions of Action