Study of two film openings

Both the film openings i have chose are from the webiste :- www.artofthetitle.com

The first film opening i chose was Edward Scissorhands, its a simple title sequence that doesnt show much, mainly images that can help show what the film is about.


Camera shots, angles, composition

• names of actors and film are shown throughout the opening
• tilt of scissors
• dolly shot going up stairs
• zoom out on inventors contraption
• zoom in

Editing
• short takes of various things
• superimposition merging two clips together
• fade out into title of film
• fade in into

Mise en Scene
• cobwebs = unclean horror
• gas attendant dressed in grungy clothing and seems threatening
• setting= abandoned gas house
• university= typical american horror setting

Sound
• music, choir singing a sadish song

Narrative
• restricted – you don’t really see anything


The second film opening i chose was mission impossible, it is a really fast paced opening and it is mainly short takes.

Camera shots, angles, composition
• Close up on eyes
• Close up on bloddy hands
• Close up on lit match
• Mid shot of computer screen
• mid shot of stabbing

Editing
• short takes – adds to the dramatic effect
• long take on the lighting of a match
• jump shot of a women walking
• really short takes on peoples faces

Mise en Scene
• blood = murder
• passports, FBI badges = crime
• explosions = thriller

Sound
• Mission impossible theme tune

Narrative
Resticed - its so fast paced you cant really tell what is going on