PJ: Film Openings - Research

Casino Royale (Martin Campbell, 2006)

Techniques:

• The black and white filming shows the audience that this is an establishing scene, setting the film before the title scene.
• The non-diagetic humming sound creates tension and lets the audience know something is going to happen.
• The pan shot, revealing the over the shoulder shot of James Bond dramatises the scene as the audience will know who James Bond is and helps build tension with the screeching sound effects.
• The fast cutting rate with continuity editing creates shock and excitement for the audience.
• Bond saying "I know where you keep you're gun" is the first time in the scene he is shown to be in control of the situation and the parallel narrative  of the fighting scene juxtaposing the calm conversation, the audience finally sees Bond in his usual commanding role.

 A Nightmare On Elm Street (Wes Craven, 1984)

Techniques:

• Close up on the tools and non-diagetic sound of the breathing creates tension for the audience.
• The high angle shots on the girl shows that she is inferior to the man who jumps out at her.
• The close up of the knives ripping through the curtain gives the ability for the camera man to do a reaction shot on the girl and show her fear.
• The cross cut to the bedroom allows the audience to relax after the sudden shock of the man grabbing the girl.

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan, 2012)

Techniques:

• Shot reverse shot between Bane and the army officer shows the authority of the officer over Bane, who is on his knees and with a black bag on his head.
• Over the shoulder shot shows the reaction of the army officer as he reveals Banes face with the mask on, before a slow zoom into a close up of Bane.
• The birds eye view of the larger plane coming into camera focus shows the audience that the power is swaying towards Bane.
• The Calm non-diagetic voice of Bane juxtaposes the position he is in and the situation, that the audience sees no way out of.

Link back to Key Links