Skyfall: Opening Scene Analysis

In this post, I will demonstrate how the use of the '4 Technical Codes' (camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene) explain how genre, character and narrative are represented in the opening sequence of Sam Mendes' 'Skyfall' (2012). 

Firstly, the opening scene introduces the hero of the film, whom we know is James Bond, through the tracking shot that follows him as he enters a dismantled room, exposing himself to a wounded agent. The non-diegetic sound at this particular moment of the scene signifies the seriousness of the situation and creates great tension.

We then hear diegetic sound through Bond's earpiece, revealing the narrative of this scene being to restore a hard-drive from a computer which contains some sort of "list". A clear eyeline match from Bond to the computer draws attention to the audience that this hard-drive has been stolen and it is of great importance. Serious non-diegetic music begins to surround the scene, creating dramatic tension. This enables the audience to identify Bond as the main protagonist and hero of the scene, as it shows his expected mission is about to begin. From this already, the audience is aware that the genre of the film is a hybrid genre of action, crime, mystery and thriller.

As the scene progresses, the audience is introduced to the mise-en-scene of a bright city packed with people. The sound is non-diegetic middle eastern, with a glamorous sense of chaos and culture. This sets the scene being in a busy middle eastern city. The camera pans and tracks Bond into a car which introduces the character of the 'helper'. Cross-cutting then introduces two scenes in different locations happening at the same time, linking them together. This editing technique presents the differences between a dark, grey office and a bright city. This is important to the scene as the office scene introduces the donor, 'Q', and father/mother figure, 'M'. 

The sound shifts into non-diegetic chase music, giving the scene its narrative. The camera is hand held in the car and shows a close up of expression. Quick cuts from the helper, to Bond, to the outside of the car helps the chase become fast paced and thrilling. Also, the busy area makes the car chase ever so dramatic as it is perceived to the audience that innocent civilians are not going to run out of the way in time. When the cars crash, gunfire begins, giving an action sequence, and wide shots of Bond outside the car gives him power and status when shooting.

Hannah: Scene Analysis

In this post, I demonstrate a brief analysis of a scene in the 2011 action, thriller and adventure film 'Hanna'. I focus on the sound, mise-en-scene, genre, and narrative.

Immediately in the scene, there is ambient sound. This is the natural sounds of the room in which both the actors and the audience hear. This helps make the audience feel more apart of the film and engages us completely. Ambient sound soon shifts into non-diegetic electronic sounds, giving the scene an easy nature. Both this sound along with the blue-grey coloured surroundings makes the genre of the film to be suggested as a sci-fi. The teenage girl on the screen looks as if she has not seen much daylight in quite some time. Along with her pale face and ratted hair, she wears a bright orange jumpsuit. This suggests she is imprisoned - perhaps she is mentally ill and is being held in an asylum. The science-fiction nature of the scene suggests maybe she is not human.

The sound becomes more action-like as the girl kills the people holding her captive. By killing, the narrative of the film suggests Hanna is out for revenge and the genre switches to action/thriller. The blood splattered on her face shows the brutality of the killing, yet she doesn't seem affected by what she has done, suggesting this revenge. The audience now know she is strong and possibly an anti-hero. As she escapes, non-diegetic music is played in time to what sounds like her footsteps or heartbeat, amplifying the adrenaline surrounding the scene. As well as this, strobe lighting follows the timing of the intense sound. This makes the scene even more dramatic and riveting as we follow Hanna's adventure to escape.

Analysing Film Posters

As an introduction to Media Studies, I learnt about the two levels of analysis; denotation and connotation. Creating an understanding of these levels allowed me to analyse clearly film posters as well as discuss what I literally see and what this represents on the poster, potentially revealing things about the film itself.

Run Lola Run

When denoting poster, I was first drawn to the bold red text, the colour red initiated to me that this film has a dangerous element to it. Therefore perhaps being of the genre, thriller or action-drama.

The overall use of colour on this poster is quite clever. The actress, Franka Potente, who clearly plays 'Lola' has bright hot-red hair. As the colour red suggests to me a sense of danger, I suspect that her character is either in or creates danger and problems. However, this use of warm colours (being bright red) contrasts with the cold colours (being a grey-blue) on her clothes and in the background. These cold colours suggests an almost a dark and unwanted vibe to the image, perhaps revealing that she is the only light running from a dark place. In addition, these grey-blue colours present a sci-fi theme. Furthermore, the quote from a newspaper article in the New York Times at the top of the poster describes the film as being "post-human" also suggests the film's genre is sci-fi.

The way in which the picture is heavily blurred in the background and slightly blurred on Lola who is evidently running gives me an idea of the narrative of the film. As 'Lola' is the focal point of the poster and a little blurred, I understand the sense that she is running at a fast speed towards something as her hair is blown back. There is no show of equipment e.g a gun being worn, therefore suggesting she could be running to get somewhere urgently. The safety of something or someone, even Lola, may be the importance of the film and it's Lola's job to secure this safety. As the background of the image is heavily blurred, this may suggest that if Lola is running from something, it is not a someone, but the entire place/city. I thought of this as if she was running from a specific person, the poster would probably show a figure in the background, running after Lola.

Children of Men

To begin, the tag lines on this poster can present many ideas on the genre of the film and its narrative. Stating that the film is set in ' THE YEAR 2027' immediately indicates that the genre of 'Children of Men' is science-fiction as this date is over a decade into the future. The collaboration of the colours red, white and a greyish-silver suggests a dystopian future.

The broken glass may equal to a broken world in which the film is based in. The actor, Clive Owen,  is captured behind the broken glass, suggesting he is trapped and is needing to escape. Perhaps the broken glass may also suggest the brokenness of his character. As he is looking into the centre of the camera, this draws the attention to people looking at this poster. He has an intense, yet sad facial expression. Owen looks unkempt, with scruffy looking facial hair and furrowed eyebrows creates a disturbed character living on the rough side of life, yet strong and willing to fight for the "last days of the human race".

The bloody-red colour on the poster is used for the tagline text as well as a small image of a baby inside and eye, which appears to have a tear. The red eye equals an evil society in which people live in. Matching the tagline "No child has been born for 18 years" suggests that this baby inside the eye could be the first to be born after all that time. Nevertheless, this baby is obviously in immense danger and so Clive Owen's character must fight to save this unborn baby, who will "protect" the "only hope" for the human race to continue.

Pulp Fiction

Firstly, the immediate attraction to this film poster is the actress, Uma Thurman. She is shown laying down in a bedroom in a seductive manner, showing a little cleavage. This creates a sultry image, inviting us into and understanding of her type of character within the film. Above all, the cigarette in had, facial expression along with red bold lipstick being the only colour Thurman is shown wearing (other than black) suggests she is a femme fatal - the red helps highlight a sense of danger. The gun placed on the pillow in front of Thurman indicates the genre of this film as crime and perhaps action.

The poster has much dark lighting, the main light on the poster urges towards the cigarette in hand, the gun and the Pulp Fiction Magazine - this may suggest to the viewer that these objects are a key part of the film. I first believe that this film is packed with crime and danger all because of the femme fatal. However, the Pulp Fiction magazine, within the Pulp Fiction film poster is quite comedic to me. With this in mind, I begin to think that this crime film may have some elements of comedy and is a mix genre.

The frayed edges of the poster, text font and 10c price sign equals classic fifties potboilers. The use of red and yellow colours together imitates a slight western feel. Also, the cast list is written in bold yellow font - this helps attract an audience with an interest to any of these well-known actors.

Saving Private Ryan: Opening Scene Analysis

This is my first opening scene analysis post. I chose to look at Steven Spielberg's 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998). I followed a list of questions to guide me in what I was looking at to analyse the opening of this film.

1. In the opening sequence to the film, the audience is introduced to an elderly-aged man. He limps along a path, being followed by what seems like his wife and his family. As the actor stops and rests his hand on a tree for support, the camera then cuts from an American flag to the flag of France. As the actor continues to walk, the camera zooms out slowly, revealing a mass cemetery. This immediately suggests to me that the narrative of the film is based on the Invasion of Normandy in World War 2 and how the man being followed by the camera was once a soldier who fought in that war.

2. I could understand the genre of the film from the opening scene by the use of sound. The sad tones within the music playing slowly cuts to a dark scene of the battle. As the lighting grew intensely grey, it was evident this film is a war-drama.

3. Tom Hanks is presented as the leading actor of the film by the way in which his camera-time is more than the other actors shown. He also walks alone, whilst his family walked together following him. This enables the audience to focus on Hanks' character only.

4. The music played includes instruments of trumpets and violins creating sad, dark and deep tones. As the scene cuts to the beach, the audience hear what the actors hear; harsh waves crashing amongst each other and loud boat engines. This sound helps me to further see an action genre.

5. I learn that the types of characters are soldiers. These men are strong and brave, fighting for their country. However, as the camera focuses on their facial expressions and the uncontrollable shaking of one's hand, these men are also fearful and utterly terrified.

6. The use of dark and intense grey light in Saving Private Ryan makes me think of other films with genres of tragedy, thriller and action.

7. I would believe the audience for this film should be a 15+ due to the historical side and witnessing what soldiers went through during battle. The gruesome, graphic and violent scenes with blood and body parts splattered everywhere also needs a mature audience.

8. What I like about this opening scene is how it focuses on one specific character. This informs me I need to focus on them rather tan me being unsure of what the film is about and who I should pay attention to.

About Me

My name is Georgia Rose, and yes, I am the girl from pop band One Direction's song 'Best Song Ever'. I'm 16 years old and have a sick addiction to a ridiculous range of music, however, not the kind you hear on London's typical Capital radio. I'm more of an XFM kinda gal. Oldies but goodies, I love a bit of Elvis and Sinatra. I'm also known to be a slight musical theatre fanatic, a "natural drama queen" some would sa- okay… everyone would say. Therefore, as perhaps guessed, I do have the 'dreaded interest' in acting and performance, whether it be film or theatre. Forever wishing I starred in the Harry Potter films. I'm Sirius… Black. Be it behind or in front of the camera, I want to know how it all works and so I hope taking Media Studies as an A-level will help me expand on this!