Analyzing Opening Scenes

The Social Network

This opening scene contains a very few amount of camera angles but although there may only be very basic they create subtle connotations. The main camera angle we see throughout this scene is an over the shoulder which is used to simply see that the two characters are conversing to each other and also gives us close view of their face so we can see more emotion. This shots are very fast and follow the conversation, this quick change of constant switching between characters creates the effect of a fast flowing conversation which subtly is already creating a character profile of Mark making us think that he is a fast thinker and talker.


The next camera angle used is a close up which is used to see more emotion or to emphasis what the characters are saying. In this particular close up they are used for both but to mainly show to the audience that the topic of "getting into a final club" is important to the character (Mark). The use of the close up shows that this is important because it is a different angle from what we have seen showing that the conversation before isn't as important as a final club.

The third different camera angle we see used is mid shot which is used to give detail of what the characters are doing as well as still capturing emotion from their faces. In this case the mid shot is used when the conversation between the two slows down and the subject is being changed, the mid shot makes the audience feel less involved as well as awkward due to the fact that she says she likes the idea of guys who can row crew and then tries to change the subject to getting something to eat when she feels uncomfortable.

Compared to the other two this opening sequence is a lot less dramatic and simply two people sharing dialogue instead of a whole action sequence.



The Dark Knight

The scene begins with a 20 second establishing shot setting the scene for the audience and letting us know that we are in a urban environment. We then see the glass break from the building and are instantly pulled into the action with a tracking shot behind two men wearing clown masks, from this we know that we following the action from the perspective of the antagonists. The next shot we see is a zoom in on one of the Jokers mask but the audience doesn't know this yet but the use of the 10 second zoom in on the mask makes us believe that we need to pay attention to this specific person.

We then see a shot of the two clowns who broke the window advancing to the adjacent building with the camera following them and then using a tilt downwards to give us a sense of how high up they are.



 Then we return to the car with two more clowns as well as the one one we saw standing on the street "The Joker" the camera is placed in the back of the truck looking over the shoulder of "The Joker". this gives us the sense of being there with them in the truck about to begin a bank robbery making the audience feel more involved. By know we can begin to see what each clowns job is during the heist. When the three clowns leave the car a low angle is used to make "The Joker" seem more intimidating. As well as this the camera stays with him as they enter the bank not the other two henchmen, this hints more at the fact that this specific clown is important and that we should focus on him.

After they enter the bank a series of tracking, long shots and mid shots are used to pick up detail such as a lady trying to press the alarm button but failing. We are then taken back up to the roof with a close up of the alarms system and one of the clowns faces as well as one of the clowns in the background, these shots are used to just let us know what is going on. For instance another close up is used when "The Joker" pulls out his bag so we can see that it is full of grenades, again this is simply to give us detail and more of and understanding of what is going on. Then we get another tracking shot of the clown of the roof after he took out the other clown. the use of all of these tracking shots lets the audience easily follow the action. More close ups are used but this time with a clear close up on the grenade in the civilians hand to emphasize this fact.

The next main use we see is when "The Joker" is talking to one of the bank manager when the use of a subtle low angle is used on the joker and the high angle on the bank manager to make it look like he is small and vulnerable and the joker frighting. The Joker then reveals his face by taking of his mask and we get a close up which makes the audience feel uncomfortable being right up close to the villain

Compared to The Social Network The Dark Knight has used many more different camera angles and movement mostly because its an action movie and has to keep up with the fast pace and make sure all the action is being filmed.



Drive
0.00-3.00

The scene begins with a slow pan around the room allowing for the audience to take in detail of what the character does and lives like. With this detail the audience are quickly able to tell what sort of things he does without having to listen to the dialogue, the pan gives us a a shot of him slowly tilting up his body ending in a mid shot and then continuing on with the pan to give more ideas about the sort of person he is. the use of the pan around the room gives a 360 degree angle of where he lives which lets us understand more about him and his lifestyle. The pan ends with the camera on him walking out of frame with a bag and leaving the camera looking out the window at the skyline creating an establishing shot to give the audience an idea of where the film is set.

 We are then thrown straight into the back of his car with the over the shoulder shot making it feel like we are actually sitting in the back of his car heading of to where ever he is going. Then a low angle is used up at his face to make a subtle hint at him being intimidating and scary. We are then moved into what looks like a workshop with the use of a mid shot on a new character, he is also placed a little bit of center so we can see the Driver enter the room. As this scene continues we get a nice tracking shot following the two of them talking, not only do we see them talking but in frame are a bunch of cars that are in the workshop which lets us get more info on the sort of place this is with a number of souped up muscle cars and creates a dark atmosphere with very dim lighting.

We are then moved into another establishing shot, this time with a much clearer view of where we are, it also creates the idea that the driver has left the garage and is now driving around the city heading off to his location. The use of extreme close up is used to enhance emotion but in the next shot we get a shot of just his eyes through the wing mirror of the car which are looking straight ahead and look very much focused and ready. This then moves into a close up on the face to show more emotion but it is the same as before, emotionless and focused. Many shots of the Driver are taken as if we are a passenger in is car for instance the next we see is a close up of him from the passenger seat and then a pan keeping the two robbers he is getaway driving for in the center of the frame. After this we then get a series of close ups giving us detail of him setting up in the car. We see him get his watch to time them and also get a radio out to see if police are on there way.

 In comparison to The Dark Knight and The Social Network Drive's opening sequence is not as fast passed as The Dark Knight but more dynamic than The Social Network this is because it has low angles and more interesting close ups using mirrors.