Analysis of two film openings

To get some inspiration for our film noir opening I have decided to analyse some film openings to get ideas. I think this is a good idea because although they may not be the same style as our film they still use the techniques of filming. Although I could of picked different genre films I have decided to choose two film noir style films this is because they are more relevant to our given genre and also because I can compare the different styles of representing the same sort of genre. I will be studying the sequences for it’s micro features, narrative and its importance to the rest of the film.

It is a common thought that first impressions are important. The same goes for film. The opening title sequence of a film is that film’s opportunity to make a good first impression on the viewer. A well-crafted title sequence introduces the audience to the tone and theme of the film as well as the cast and crew.

For my first chosen film I am going to analyse the opening sequence of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) Shane Black. Although this film has got a comedy twist I still feel that this is relevant to our project. I will begin by looking at the micro features.
Cinematography: opens with shot from behind balloons this is bringing the audience into the action and also makes the audience feel like their there. This sequence of shots are all long in length and either tracking, panning or zooms. This creates a feeling of calm. This also has a glowing tint which has a representation of good a common use of this is in memories or heaven like situations. It then moves to focus on a stage which tells the audience that these characters are more than likely to be involved in the plot. After this sequence it changes to an animation. This part highlights the darker side of the film with the contents being of guns, blood, females and murder, this is in 2d and has a look of paper cut-outs.
Editing: the first shots are just simply cut together its not until the animation sequence when the interesting edits happen. This is when the transitions take a different form the action appears to move from one slide to another tending to use one piece from the previous to link them.
Mise en scene: the mise en scene in the opening real life action tells the audience they are in a fair/fate type scenario. Also that the film is probably going to be based in America because of the American flags. Then in the animation the mise en scene changes to a simply style of the cut-out image and using the motif colours of red, black, blue and white this is present on the DVD front cover.
Performance: the first characters we focus on are the boy dressed in a cloak with gives us the connotation of a magician and a young girl in a box which strengthens the idea of magician because this is a commonly known magic trick. It starts as though the trick is planned and safe, then the girl screams and you instantly think the trick has gone wrong this is when the camera focuses on a man running who we presume to be a father or guardian. Once we discover the girl was only acting the shot cuts to animation just as the male character is about to hit the girl.
Sound: the non diegetic music in this sequence has a childlike, whimsical fairground theme, with a slight twist. this is then accompanied by the diegetic sound of the fairground. This is a contrast to the non diegetic music accompanying the animation, this is when it changes to a darker tone of music more associated with a contemporary film noir because it has more of a beat and the instruments used.

I will now focus on the narrative and importance to the rest of the film. The beginning of the opening sequence is a key feature for the background information of the main characters and it is used again later in the film. Then the animation shows the main outline of the plot but details are changed, this tells the audience what to expect. The narrative of the opening is using enigma in the fact that we don’t know who the children are and how they are linked to main plot. Character development is used with the fact that the girl wants to be an actress and the girl and boy have a close bond.

For my second film analysis I have chosen lucky number slevein (2006) Paul McGuigan. This is crime, thriller, contemporary film noir that also has a twist of comedy. I 6think that most modern film noirs are now hybrids with comedy because its reaches a larger target audience. Again I will analysis the micro features, narrative and its importance to the rest of the film.
Cinematography: this sequence is a mix of animation and real life action. This is very similar to kiss kiss bang bang but the order is different. The animation shots are shown to be lit only by a light which looks like a flashlight but flickers like a candle, This emphasises the text. With the real life action scenes a lot of shots are cut away this draws attendance to certain aspects of the action.
Editing: most of the shots are tracking but start from out of action. For example the scene when there in a room it starts with the camera facing the wall then tracks to the characters.
Mise en scene: in this sequence there is one character that is always hidden. This is the enigma of the opening because it makes the audience want to know who is the killer. The main motif for this opening sequence is the numbers and writing on lined paper. This is because all the titles start with numbers and transform to the words then does the same when exiting, also when the real life action is on screen over the top numbers as though written appear.
Performance: in this opening the main character is hidden but his body language always show a sense of calm which suggests that they are used to death and murder. Known of the characters are properly introduced its just setting the theme of the film.
Sound: the non diegetic music is the main sound which sounds like a harp playing this gives it a calm feeling but at the same time give it an eerie feel. Then behind the music there is another non diegetic sound of commentary of a race. Which is heavily attached to the narrative. Then in the real life action there is emphasised diegetic sounds of the gun fire, doors opening, foot steps and glass smashing.

I will now focus on the narrative and importance to the rest of the film. The beginning of the opening sequence is a key feature for the background information of the main characters and it is used again later in the film, except this isn’t made clear until the twist of the film at the end. The narrative of the opening is using enigma in the fact that we don’t know who the killer is are and how they are linked to main plot, and why they want the books they are carrying. Character development is used in the way that he is calm about killing people and is good at it we want to find out why their killing? Who their killing? What their getting from killing?