Collateral Opening Scene Analysis

Opening shot has very low depth of field causing the audience to focus solely on Tom Cruise’s character. Only sound is sound of crowd and amplified footsteps. Same procedure for next shot focusing on other character then cut by to Tom Cruise

Sudden change of shot as two characters collide background sound is decreased. Match on action as bags drop to the floor, sound of bags dropping is amplified to further draw audience attention. Over the shoulder shot with low depth of field focusing on other characters face no emotion is shown. Motivated editing is used as the collision between the two characters is surprising because we are not given any indication of their proximity to one another

Soundtrack begins to build tension  as shot switches to over the shoulder shot of tom cruises character with again low depth of field

Snap cut to interior of taxi office. Colour palette changes but sound track continues indicating some kind of connection between the two scenes. Switch in editing pace from long drawn out shots to rapid frame changes. Lingering shot on taxi driver are in contrast to editing during scene indication that we should pay special attention to person in frame

As taxi driver enters car multiple match on action shots are shown as he goes through his routine close ups used throughout to covey meticulous nature of character.

Soundtrack drops out as driver closes door leaving simple base beat which indicates isolation of the character from the rest off the scene which was previously very noisy and clutterd

Additional match on action shots that linger on his putting the image of the island straight indicates importance to character

Mad Max-Fury Road - Opening Analysis

Camerawork
- gradual increase in editing pace builds tension
- editing creates a sense of confusion and anxiety that mirrors that of the main character
- fast zooms onto ghosts faces/branding iron  effectively create fear
- use of stark white lighting creates large areas of shadow which obsure the enemy making them far more menacing
- sudden reveal of the chasters in opening shot very effective

Sound
- whispers of ghosts  grow louder and louder creating tension and confusion in the audience
-first whisper hints at something wrong with main character
- sudden switch from slow monologue to frantic car sounds graps audience attention then the sudden silence adds antisipation which is releved by the sudden apperarance of the chasers

Lighting
- contrast between natural light and the light of the caves creates a sense of confinement
- effective use of shadow to make the creatures look as menacing as possible

Drive - Opening Analysis

Camera Work
-  Mixture of long shots focusing on cityscape,  contrasted with close-ups of character in car gives a sense that the character being portrayed is isolated from the rest of the city
- With the close up shots there is a lack of focus on anything but the main character furthering this sense of isolation from the rest of the city


Sound
- Soundtrack combined with the opening credits typeface place the film firmly in the 80s
- Lack of any dialogue
- Beat of the soundtrack creates a monotonous sense in the scene


Lighting
- heavy use of shadow obscuring the characters face creates a menacing aura around the character in addition to this the scorpion on his jacket is exposed in starck white lighting drawing attention to this image which is associated with fear and so creating a sense of fear around the character
- contrast between the hallway and bedroom furthers contrast between the world that the character inhabits and the rest of the world

Dark Night - Opening Analysis

Camerawork
- frequent use of mid dolly shots  that put the audience right in the center of the action
- effective use of close ups to highlight deaths of characters
- cut away's to banker effectively intrigue audience and eventual reveal of shotgun is suprising and creates tension
- transition between main bank and bank vault is very well done with the door swinging open

Sound
- constant orchestral soundtrack builds with tension in scene and peaks at key moments
- various noises such as cocking guns and shattering glass are amplifed to draw audience attention to the actions taking place

Lighting
- natural lighting throughout

My Favourite Films & TV Shows

- The Shawshank Redemption
- The Lego Movies
- The Dark Knight
- The History Boys
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Independence Day
- Sherlock
- The Grand Budapest Hotel
- Blackadder
- Mr Robot
- How I Met Your Mother