Opening sequence analysis

Conviction
Our opening sequence began with a montage of different
shots of the area we was filming in. First starting with one
close up zoomed shot of the block of flats and then long
shots of the actual estate. The reason that we had chosen to
do this was because we wanted to emphasise the ruff area
that our character had come from and we also thought that
this would give an insight into our characters persona.
Furthermore we had used incidental, non-digetic, music in
the background. the reason that we had chosen this music
was because it had a mystery effect to it which would
capture the viewers attention and also create a sense of
tension.
Previous research had allowed us to conclude that
movies with a similar story line to ours had featured
shots of blocks. The effect this had was:

• Shots of a block of flats emphasise Bullet Boy

a ruff area.

•It would give an introduction to our

characters life.

•Gives a stereo-typical view of our

character – a “thug” youth living in a
block of flats.
Adulthood

Shank
We also used blue, superimposed text in
our opening sequence. The reason we
decided to use blue text was because our
research had allowed us to conclude that
blue text was used on actual thriller to
emphasise the genre of the film.
Mise-en-scene was also used effectively in our opening sequence. We had
decided to give our character a “ruff look” in order to give the audience an idea
of his persona. In order to fully emphasise this we used a close-up shot with
digetic sound of him speaking to an anonymous character.

The conversation was short and concise, it featured Abs telling the person that he
“had the stuff” and to “meet him at the spot”. The effect this had was that it
created tension and also gave the opening sequence a mysterious atmosphere
was the audience were left clueless about what the “stuff” was and who the
person he was meeting was. Furthermore the non informal language that was
being used further emphasised his “thug-youth” background.

We aimed to emphasise his distressed background by giving our

character a ruff look via a ruff looking beard and also his uncombed hair.

We also gave our character a bag to hold that would be used in the
transfer with the other anonymous character. This bag would go on
to create a tense atmosphere when tagged as “the stuff” by our
character.
The next few shots were a montage of different shots showing our character, Abs, making his way to his location to
meet the anonymous character. The close up of Abs had allowed the viewer to get a bet view of him and gave them
an insight into his character by looking at his clothing etc. This shot then continues to medium shots of Abs and the
area he was walking through (his home). The distressed look of the blocks had the effect of making the audience
feeling sympathetic towards him and the situation he was in. The medium shot of Abs afterwards gave the effect of
showing how he was trapped in this block, as he walks by railings a pan shot captures him. the sharp cut after this to
a medium shot of him on the other side of the railings gave the effect of showing how he wanted to leave the
area/life he was living.
The shot then continued to a few more long
shots of the character walking to his
destination. As Abs finished his destination a
close up shot captures him passing his bag on to
another character. We had aimed to keep the
character anonymous and insure that his face
couldn't be seen. The effect that this had was
that it kept the audience in suspense and also
kept the second character anonymous – which
continued throughout the sequence as his name
was never mentioned.
Furthermore the anonymous was seen leaning
casually against the wall which is captured by
this close up. The reason that we had decided to
do this was because it would give the audience
an idea of who the character was and how
casual these exchanges were for him.
The next scene then continued to a medium shot of Abs
and the anonymous character that he was transferring
the “stuff” to. The shot shows Abs looking away to his
right when transferring the parcel whilst the anonymous
character leans against the wall in a casual manner. This
adds a tense atmosphere to the sequence as Abs is
looking around in a suspicious manner. The next shot
then continues to a medium shot of the anonymous
character looking around the corner before taking out a
bundle of cash. This adds an even more tense
atmosphere when it continues to a close up of the cash.
Digetic sound is also used to give a tense
atmosphere. The conversation is limited between the
two characters but gives the effect of giving the
audience an insight to the story. They anonymous
character suspiciously asks “does anyone know about
this” whilst gripping onto the bundle of cash. This
conversation continues to Abs asking “how can I get
in contact with you?” and the anonymous character
replying “we’ll find you” this is shown in a medium
shot and shows the anonymous character tapping
him on the shoulder. This gives the effect of adding
suspicion and shows the anonymous character as
more upper class, which is shown by his clothing and
neat and tidy hair in comparison to Abs ruff look. He
is also seen more powerful through him telling Abs
“we’ll find you”.
The opening sequence ends with a medium shot of
the character looking back when walking off and
then taking his phone of. This continues to a fast
cut of a low angle shot. The low angle shot has the
effect of showing how powerful the anonymous
character is. Digetic sound is used within this scene
as well. As the anonymous character takes out his
phone he is captured saying “he took the bate” this
adds a tense and mysterious atmosphere as the
audience is left confused about the relationship
between the two characters.