Examples of opening sequences

casino:
In this sequence I noticed everyone dressed in a similar way mostly wearing professional clothing showing a pattern, such as suits and dressed in a respectful manner, giving them the image of being powerful, connoting wealth and having a high status. I also liked the way the portrayed the people they may be powerful people with high statuses but the way the bought them on stage was different we are able to identify the characters by language which they use full of aggression a lot of swearing , usually associates with street life not educated people this would get the audience wanting to watch more and creates that extra tension which makes it more interesting to watch and just desperate to know what's going to happen next. narrative used in the background I believe gives a personal touch to it which again strengthens the importance of the film and the character as gives them identity - wanting to find out more about these people

 

 

 

Donnie Brasco:

After watching this sequence I found it quite different to the rest that I had watched, the opening at the beginning the main character is seen in deep thought while features of a montage of different images showing the passing of time and development of the place with narrative/over voice to direct the audience, character also summarises the characters feelings drawing and image of this character in the audiences minds. Camera movement follows the main character almost to the extent of point-of-view, until the camera performs a backwards-creep, and reveals the main character in front. This was used so that the audience could clearly see how people feared/respected him by the way they looked in the camera's direction with worried expressions. I found that this sequence was mostly detective based involving personal relationships rather than violence and aggressiveness. I've also taken note of the speech used there is a pattern the speech almost all the character speak in a dark unsettled tone and voice usually with an accent being American or British cockney or Italian accents this can be seen as a form of race that separates them from other gangs/groups. The lightening used in this sequence vary because it associates with the mood, a clear separation between daylight and daytime, also inside public places the lighting is different according to how the atmosphere is this could foreshadow what might happen next in the film for example dark- something bad is more likely to happen, also the idea of alcohol being used and people getting drunk goods being sold and stolen openly shows the pattern of mise en scene being used to portray gangster life.

 

 

The departed:

I found that in this sequence was similar to the other sequences I had looked at, narrative/ voiceover speaking in the back ground telling the audience about his side of the story his personal take on things, giving the audience a sense of his identity. This character was the 'bad guy' he was the one who bullied everyone knowing they could not stand up for themselves and fight back.

However in this sequence they have portrayed gangster differently as to what I had seen in other gangster opening sequences through the costumes used, in this sequence I did not see any professional clothing like suits, however this could be used for several reasons. 1) their way of conveying how they think gangsters are 2) seeing as this film was made a while ago in 2006, maybe this was how gangsters used to dress showing how gangster have changed and progressed overtime from before and have become more modern. 3) also another reason could be used to give a false image of the character meaning dressed in casual jeans and shirt portrayed his innocence although after listening to what the character said at the beginning we clearly and instantly know that he is the bad guy.

Overall after the research I have gathered from the above I have found out a range of information about gangster related films and the their codes and conventions that they stick to which has helped me look at what I should include in my final opening sequence:

- I also noticed there was one main thing that was common in the 3 sequences i researched the language used we were able to identify the charcters though the way they sopke. suggesting speaking  this way was familiar in ganagster life.

- Costume plays a great part as it gives the effect for mise en scene which could represent certain things, depending on how the producer would like to portray their idea for e.g. gangster: suits and professional costumes. Costume could also represent the time period as to when the film was set.

- Speech would be aggressive, violence would be used to show the spiteful behaviour.

 

- Most of the sequences I've seen alcohol is used a lot commonly being drunk in bars casinos.

 

- Also most of the locations are set at bars and casinos or private places such as offices.

 

- Weapons are used such as guns and knives etc..

 

- The roles that are shown include power/control leadership high status.

 

- The colours lighting mainly used are dark dull colours connoting this idea of hatred revenge violence.

 

- The camera movements also create tension they apply to the situation such as close ups/ following actor showing the characters emotions getting the audience in a tensed mood.

 

- The narrator speaking in the back ground/ voice over.