Opening sequence analysis

Vanilla Sky

Vanilla Sky is a psychological thriller film, which was made in 2001 by paramount. Its opening sequence begins with two flashing, moving images, extreme long shots, shots from a bird’s eye angle of New York City. It proceeds to flash through the view of New York, panning the city and central park etc. Further viewing reveals a diegetic whispering sound, which perhaps connotates someone’s thoughts, therefore the flashing of the image perhaps shows someone blinking, or opening and shutting their eyes. Then the only distinguishable words ‘OPEN YOUR EYES’ are spoken. The overall haunting and murky impression given off by this opening makes it clear to the audience of a psychological film ahead. Link to film below.

http://veehd.com/video/2398275_VANILLA-SKY-2001-Tom-Cruise-Kurt-Russell-Cameron-Diaz-Penelope-Cruz

The silence of the lambs

The silence of the lambs is a thriller movie made in 1991 by MGM. The opening starts with a medium long shot of a misty, murky woodland. Minor key classical music is playing in the background, non diegetically, adding a sombre tone to the opening. Block Capital credits are flashing up of the actors' names. It then cuts to a tracking shot of a woman (Jodie Foster) running, which makes the audience question what she is running fromm already building up audience tension.

http://www.megavideo.com/?d=NAI0UOCJ

Quantum of solace

Quantum of solace is the second of the newest James Bond films, made by MGM in 2009. The opening sequence starts with a fast moving panning shot of a majestic lake in Italy, it is headed towards the mountain side. Classical music is playing non diegetically. It then cuts to a clip of a car moving at speed for a little less than a second and returns to the lake shot, it repeats this, but showing someone has heavy artillery inside the car, this leads the viewer to expect high speed cars and weaponry use, which hints at a future car chase, and an action/thriller film ahead. The classical music builds to a climax, getting louder and suddenly a diegetic revving car sound kicks in, the shot leads to a small road on the mountainside, Gunshot fire is heard.

http://xtshare.com/toshare.php?Id=395