Analysis of the opening title scene of Lucky number sleven.

Lucky Number Slevin - Analysis Of The Opening Scene

The opening scene begins with a shot of a white background on which lines are being formulated upon. This is a graphics affect to creating straight lines of blue and red like that of a notebook on which the credits are shown to the bottom left of the screen. The shot gives us a sense of movement across the white screen as it follows the lines. In the background non- diegetic music is played, a very soft and gentle melody that is emotionally parallel to the action of the scene. The extract cuts to a medium shot of a room that contains two beds either side of a bedside table on which lies an old telephone. The colour scheme of the room is brown, as well as the wallpaper that appears to be old fashioned. This establishes the era which the film is taken place, in that it is fairly modern but before the the 21st century, maybe 1970’s. This shot fades out into the next shot which is a cut to a long shot of a well dressed man walking to his car in a car park, holding a notebook. A crane shot is used to emphasis the notebook as it rises and zooms onto it. Special attention is given to this notebook thus creating enigma as we the audience want to know why the book is important. The crane shot also makes it seem as if there is somebody following the man and emphasises on the ambiguity of the scene. We then see a close up of the man being shot twice in the stomach then collapsing through his car window full of blood. This dramatic part of the opening title engages the audience and helps bring about a scene of internal excitement leading the audience to continue watching the rest of the film to see the outcome or motives of this gruesome and very violent attack. An unknown character picks up the notebook as the murdered man is left dead on the floor with blood all over his body. The use of a close up shot allows us to focus on the notebook and its importance. We can also see the dead man’s face as his eyes are bulging out and his body left lifeless. This emphasises the level of importance in taking the book, in that the killer will do whatever he can, even if its murder to get the notebook. Meanwhile as the scene goes on it continuously reveals the credits of the film in small white writing. In the background alongside the music, we also hear commentary of some sort. As this is an unusual contrast between the two non-diegetic sounds it creates enigma because it gives us mixed emotions and makes us want to understand what is occurring. The next shot begins with a medium shot of the lower bodies of three characters. It does not show us their faces till the end of this scene. The shot cuts to a long shot of the room to establish the location of the scene. A close up of a gun in the seated man’s hand is seen as this creates a build up to a climax. More gruesome violence is seen as the unknown man standing in the middle stabs both men in the neck. This is a medium shot and helps us focus on the facial features of the men and their body language. We can see the two men are brutally murdered with a small knife. The Use of a small knife emphasis the level of violence as a small knife is usually more painful and the fact that they were stabbed in the neck increases the brutality of the scene as this one of the worst places to be stabbed. Another close up shot of the seated man is used to bring the attention of the audience to the subject’s facial expressions and therefore emotions. This emphasis on the characters emotions creates a small climax in which we see a snooker ball being thrown at the characters eye causing blood to be sprayed over the screen. Finally a close up of another notebook is shown this further emphasis its importance. The scene cuts to a long shot of a waiting room where we see a man approaching the camera wearing a black over coat. The audience have no idea who this character is and what connection he has with the murders. It creates more enigmas and engages us further with the film. This in turn creates anticipation as the audience want to know what will happen next. It is also important to note that two characters were murdered and both were well dressed and looked like business men. We however do not know whether they were the antagonist or the protagonist in the film but this is another great way to create enigma.

AS media preliminary exercise

Synopsis for an opening title seqence

Unknown male wearing a black suit with a black top hat is seen walking towards a vehicle in what seems to be a car park. In his hands he holds a black suitcase ( 20secs). Cold/chilling background music is playing e.g violin/guitars. Meanwhile the voice of a news presenter is heard too. The scene cuts to another person walking through a busy street in London. This person is casually dressed and seems calm but emotionless (20secs) Enigma is being created in that the audience is becoming increasingly more inquisitive about the personalities involved and the motives of each of them. This time the scene cuts to a location unknown to the audience. A clock is seen ticking in what looks like an abandoned cell or basement ( 5 -10 sec)The man with the suitcase stops next to a vehicle and waits checking his watch (10 sec) Again the scene cuts to a shot to an eyepiece of a sniper gun. The view is seen from above a rooftop. Sniper view seems to target the casually dressed man as it follows him from point A (which will later be chosen) to the car park. The target is rapidly set onto the man with the suitcase, as the casually dressed man approaches the vehicle. A shot is heard, man falls to the floor, and casually dressed man picks up the suitcase and walks away (30secs).
Plot: A business that is suppose to go to plan, but ends up in a twist where the antagonist is killed.
Themes: crime, gangster, weapons, business
Narrative: Business deal goes wrong where a man is seen to be shot and robbed for a suitcase.

Analysis of the opening scene of Seven
Opening scene begins with the protagonist in the kitchen. The Kitchen seems to be very clean and organised. A mirror shot shows him formally dressed whilst he does his tie emphasising he is a perfectionist. We also notice his belongings are well placed as he picks each up of his bedside table. Thereafter he brushes off his suit which further develops this establishment of character. The character being portrayed is exciting and powerful. Enigma may be created in which questions of identity may be asked by the audience. Furthermore an elliptical shot is used to abbreviate time which starts the next part of the extract starts with a tilt shot of what seems to be a murdered man lying on the floor. Meanwhile we hear offscreen diegetic sound of the hustle and bustle of the streets and cars. This establishes the location which seems to be downtown or in an inner city. Furthermore we also hear a conversation between the protagonist and another officer. A comparison between these two men is being created to increase the excitement and sympathy for the protagonist. We clearly observe differences such as the protagonist is wise and knowledgeable whilst on the other hand we notice the officer is narrow minded as we see him wearing his gun to the side. Thereafter there is a medium long shot of the protagonist. His body language and facial expression projects his intelligence and confidence as well as his charisma as he is seen to be very inquisitive and calm. The use of glasses may also connote and highlight the above points. The murder scene is being shot at a relatively slow pace as no jump cut shots are used. A continuous shot is used and thus this intensifies and heightens the suspense thus making the extract even more dramatic. The blood on the windows and the lighting used bring about a sense of cold and senseless ewe. This creates questions of whom the suspect is, why did he kill this person and where is he now. These questions create enigma and grab the audience’s attention and creates interest. Furthermore various themes and narratives are seen such as criminal activity, violence, weapons use and homicide. According to prop if any of the eight character roles are present it means any of the thirty one functions are to be applied. In the opening scene the role of the protagonist is established and we have observed the various themes being portrayed, we can predict the outcome of the narrative. One example could be that there will be a battle between two opposing forces which eventually reaches a balance or solution. However in saying this, modern narrative are not as straight forward as this, particularly thriller films. Thus the equilibrium theory by Todrov may not be applicable. Furthermore the title begins after the beginning scene ends. The title and names of the actors is in a fuzzy unclear white colour. This is achieved by the use of special effects. In the background we can see a fast paced shot of scary and chilling images. The fast past of the shot creates confusion on whats actually happening or what the scene is telling us. Meanwhile non- diegetic sound is being played in parallel to the emotions that will be experienced by the audience. This part of the extracts creates suspense and increases the tension building up to a climax. Enigma is created and the audience feels increasingly interested and engaged at this point. Lastly the establishment of the protagonist and detailed murder scene creates excitement but also engages the audience because enigma is formulated.

Introducing the group

We are a group of AS media students from Harrow college. Each of us has taken up a role in the production of this opening title squence. Our group consists of three students Amir, Ashley and Denis. We have disributed our responsibilities equally amoungst ourselves and agreed on our individual roles. Ashley is one of the leading actors aswell as the editor. Amir is also one of the leading actors and the director. Denis has taken up the role of cameraman and the control over the props and costume/make up. However in saying this, we will help each other as appropriate and we will seek each others advice in bringing together this production.