Micro Features
Camera & Editing - The first shot is from a security camera view at a high angle, the shot is in night vision and the titles overlapping the opening scene is also in a night vision green font. The scene begins with a wide, establishing long shot of a car park. Slow panning is used around the car park leading up to a slow medium shot of a black car. Close-up shot is used to view the car panning from the back, to the side, to the drivers seat at an eye-line match so it looks as though the audience is sitting in the passenger seat. The pace of the continuity cuts begin to speed at the part where the driver begins to get ready to set off in his car. Close-ups of his gloves, watch and hands setting up his car and turning the radio on gives the feel of a visual instruction and beginning ritual of what he must do before he drives. Close up of the driver in the car park when he starts his car reveals to the audience what the driver (main character) looks like. Tracking and panning used as the car is driving along the city, movement of the camera is smooth and match-on-action cuts are also used. Over-the-shoulder-shot is used when the driver is at a stop at the traffic lights, over the shoulder view shows two policemen watching the driver. When the driver has pulled up outside a large building, the camera views a low angle looking up towards the clock on top of the building. Then the angle of the shot changes fast and dramatically and views at a high crane angle looking down at the robbers running out of the building doors. This gives a strong contrast and quick change of action that has suddenly happened.
Sound - Non-diagetic and diagetic sounds are used in this opening scene. Slow intense music is played in the beginning at the car park, Also camera/TV static malfunctioning voices are played over as the titles appear over the scene. The music grows slightly louder and the pace gets a little quicker as the camera moves towards the car, this is to build suspense into revealing who is in the car. Music stops suddenly as the title of the movie appears over the camera finally reaching the driver. The driver then turns on his radio playing classical music but then non-diagetic music plays when he starts driving. The music the audience hears at this point changes from classical to action type music. The dynamics of the music varies, it goes loud then quiet but the beat of the drums keeps the music sounding intense - this music may be used to play on the audiences emotions. The music is not parallel to the action, when the robbers come charging out of the bank with guns and money, the music stays calm and at a normal pace. The music may not be parallel to action but it may reflect upon how the main character feels and gives the audience an idea of the main character's attitude.Lighting - Begins with night vision lighting then flashes to the actually lighting in the scene. The main key-lighting looks as though it is coming from the car park lights. In some areas of the car park, it is brightly lit and in others there is strong shadow. The car is black therefore it is very visible to see the car park lights reflecting off of it, this gives the car a more slick appeal to it. The driver's identity is hidden by dark shadows, only his face is lit slightly, this gives the character a sense of mystery.
Mise en Scene - Night vision from a security camera view represents surveillance which is in relation with the law, this shows that what is going to happen in the scene may or may not be illegal in the film. The leather gloves indicates that the main character does not want to leave fingerprints anywhere he touches. The main character is dressed in a smart suit. black and white. This may show that the character is presentable, smart, masculine and shows that he may be of a profession. A large bank which is filled with money could end up being robbed. The car with many gadgets such as the changing of licence plate has a 'James Bond' appeal to it.
Macro Features
Iconography - Guns, the weapons signifies the genre of action. The main character casted in the shadow in the car gives the character an identity of being mysterious. The location and city is usually where an action film takes place as the everyday things such as parked cars, people, police, city roads etc are seen or used as obstacles which trap someone from getting away. The use of intense music also reinforces the genre of action.
Genre - The Genre for this film is Action, this genre includes continuous high energy, physical stunts and activity and extended chase scenes. This opening portrays the beginning and preperation of a car chase, the main character is employed as the driver or 'Transporter' for the robbers traveling from the bank to safety. The main character in this genre is usually a male action hero/protagonist portrayed by very masculine actors. Classic action films such as 'James Bond' have a male character and the characteristics of this character is usuall well presented, the character in this film reinforces this image therefore connoting the typical 'hero' character.
Narrative - The narrative in this film is diagetic, this keeps the film realistic. Although we do not hear the voice of the main character until he speaks to the robbers near the end of the opening scene, this helps build suspsense and mystery of the main character.
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