Film Opening Research - Mystery/Sci-Fi

 Hey blogggg!!! I'm back and ready to view some openings in the same genre's I would classify my opening to be in. My teacher was very helpful in recommending movie openings similar to our opening and gave me the following titles to view. 

1. Bladerunner

2. Minority Report 

Now, none of these are films that I have watched before so I may not be able to identify key ideas or topics introduced but I will do the best of my ability to analyze and learn from each viewing. 

1. Bladerunner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1jXmJmmj3o

(00:02)

I enjoy that this is the first thing shown in the opening. It serves as a quick and easy way to establish the setting and let the viewers know key information without having to work hard to get it across. 

(00:02-00:10)

The music and sound effects used right as the film begins help establish the tone as well as the stings used. 

(00:10)

This shot is a good example of an establishing shot for a mystery film because of the lighting and explosions. The explosions communicate to thee viewer that there is an issue. Although the lighting and colors used up to this point of the film are the main indicators of mystery I'm not sure my group can use the same tactic as our storyline and main issue isn't necessarily "dark". 

Their first "real" shot, the buildings and explosions, are shown for an excessive amount of time, around 40 seconds. Doing something similar for my film intro wouldn't necessarily be ideal as we have only 2 minutes to communicate what our film is about. 

(00:50) 

This was the first shot of the film that communicated the person vs. society idea. I noticed this as the person is looking out on the city witnessing the fire's and explosions. The green eyes contrast with thee orange fire and help show a sense of fear.

Music is used from the beginning of the opening up until a minute and a half in when we are introduced to a character and in a different setting than where the beginning takes place. Using a hectic song or a theme song at the beginning of my intro will help communicate the mood to viewers and help to emotionally connect the audience. 

(02:28)

Two and a half minutes into the film there still haven't been any bright colors or lighting aside from the fire at the beginning that was masked in the darkness surrounding it. This man, I assume is an important character as he is the first face shown in the opening. He is also in dark lighting with sunlight hitting only the right third of his body, not enough to hit his face which lets him look more serious. Additionally, he is dressed in darker/neutral colors to make his character seem more mature. 

(03:30) 

An echo sound effect was placed on Mr. Holden leading me to believe I am now in the mind of the man being interrogated. I like the idea of using an echo to show stress and loud thinking. I would like to use a similar concept for my film opening. Aside from the echo there is also a loud heartbeat. The combination of the echo and the heartbeat manage to fill in the silence between the conversation being held and show that his mind is racing. 

After finishing the opening of the film I noticed they don't display the title of the movie or at least not within the first 4 minutes. Also, they don't show a title sequence to introduce their actors or production team. 

2. Minority Report 

This movie wastes no time when introducing the story to it's audience. There is dialogue almost immediately upon clicking start that introduces the main issue, a murder. 

(00:15) 

This black and white imagery in the middle of the screen seems to be memories. The memories are shown along with noise and include vivid detail. I think this was an excellent way to start the film as it shows background information on the murder. 

(00:37) 

This close up shot helps establish that the murder is personal to him and is a matter of vulnerability. I will use close ups in my intro as a way for my audience to create a relationship with the main character Tina. Once we establish a relationship from character to audience they will be more likely to understand the characters feelings and thoughts throughout the film. 

The advanced technology in this film is what sets it apart from others. This can be clearly seen when we are shown the memories and are able to zoom in and out of them as well as scroll past. The movie does a great job of making it known that it takes place in the future without having to say it. Another small detail that shows this is when the newspaper falls from the sky into the garden. So, by this time airplane's would be distributing newspapers to communities. 

Similar to Bladerunner the men in the office are dressed in all dark colors, mostly black and the main colors shown are black and white. This movie also uses color to show a sense of mystery.

(02:30-02:34) When the scenes flash from the workplace to the house it seems this is a flashback to show us the murder. 

Similar to Bladerunner this opening also doesn't include a shot with the title or a title sequence showing actors names within the first 5 minutes. This is something I must consider when filming my intro as I want to include these components.