Research - Snatch Opening Sequence

Snatch

Snatch is a 2000 British crime comdey film written and directed by Guy Ritchie. Set in the London criminal underworld, the film contains two intertwined plots: one dealing with the search for a stolen diamond, the other with a small-time boxing promoter who finds himself under the thumb of a ruthless gangster who is ready and willing to have his subordinates carry out severe and sadistic acts of violence.

In the first frame we see the production company, Colombia Pictures.

We then see that the film is produced by an individual, Matthew Vaughn. A British producer known for similar films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Layer Cake and Kingsman: The Secret Service. The camera slowly pans upwards on a silhouette of a man's, instantly connoting mystery and power over the two men sat across from himwho are currently out of focus.

From this mid-shot we are introduced to two of the main characters. Both are dressed very smart, suggesting wealth yet are sat in very disinterested manner. Both look like they are bored or impatient. The character on the left, Turkish, narrates over the scene telling the story of how he got his name. This dialogue has comedic elements invloved, suggestin to the audience that it has satrical comedy amongst the crime. The camera then focuses on turkish with close-up, suggesting his primary role in the fim.

The camera then fades to black, suggesting passage of time, to a shot of a security camera. The use of the security feed suggests to the audience that the characters may be doing a criminal job of some description. The characters are dressed in a disguise of a jewish man, whilst we hear diegetic dialogue. This dialogue is accompanied by non-diegetic music, it sounds very comical mischevious, linking to the current scene. We also see the actor's name, Benicio Del Toro in white text with a burgundy highlight.

The camera then pans to the left whilst tracking the character's movements on an additional security monitor. Suggesting to the audience, that the building they are in is clearly large and is under heavy security.

The four characters then enter a tightly-packed elevator, signifying their tight relationship and ability to work in a team. When they exit, the camera pans upwards to yet another security monitor, however this camera work is effective because it is as if the audience are ascending up the building with the characters.  

The camera continues to track the characters' movements through the use of multiple secuirty monitors. We then see them stop at a door, following this the camera pans away from the screen and onto the door the men enter the room in. This suggests to the audience how far deep the men have got into this building. It also now suggests that they may now have power and control, contrasting with the opening in which it seemed the silhouette had a degree of authority over the two other protagonists.

The character in the centre of the mid shot tears off his coat to reveal four guns, each memeber of the team take one of the firearms. At the point when the jacket is torn away, the music changes to high tempo, adrenaline pumping non-diegetic music to match the speed of the action. The camera quickly zooms into the main character to enforce the high-octane action.

We then see a high speed sequence of shots with massive amounts of jump cuts to enhance the speed of the action and to immerse the audience. When the camera zooms into each character, the camera rotates quickly to possibly connote the psychotic nature of the crime. The costumes of the victims suggest that this is some sort of office building; following this, one of the protagonists opens a vault which reveals a number of diamonds. An action match is used on the diamonds to suggest their importance. We then see a still shot of the protagonists hand wielding a gun, with the director's name underneath. Giving the implication that not only is this a crime film, but also a genre trademark of the director. The music then stops and the protagonist begins to question the the man in chrage of the office.

The camera then focuses on a large diamond, suggesting its significance to the plot. This shot is accompanied by non-diegetic sleek music. Further implying the team's success and effience.

The camera once again focuses on the diamond, reiterating its importance, revealing the title of the film 'Snatch'. A clear reference to the theft of the precious gem; also 'Snatch' is that of cockney dialect, relating to the film's setting. The shot then shifts to letterbox format and rotates around the diamond to reveal a clever transition to a different man. Suggesting the criminal aspect of the film and the important trade of diamonds. His suit suggests he is a wealthy business man who may play a major role in the diamond trade industry.























 

Research - Trainspotting Opening Sequence

Trainspotting

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy crime drama film directed by Danny Boyle. Based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh, the film was released in the United Kingdom on 23 February 1996. The film follows a group of heroin addicts in a late 1980s economically depressed area of Edinburgh and their passage through life. Beyond drug addiction, other themes in the film are exploration of the urban poverty and squalor in "culturally rich" Edinburgh.

In the first frame we see the production company, Channel Four Films.

The opening to this film is extremely fast paced, we are immediately introduced to a chase scene. Connoting panic and trouble. Suggesting that, linking to the film's genre, they may have committed a crime and are avoiding capture. The camera focuses on the character's feet in the foreground, and the police in the background suggesting that they are successfully getting away.

The camera then cuts to a mid low angle shot of the protagonist, allowing the audience to see his scruffy costume, giving us an idea of his social class. The low angle may be used to suggest that he has the upper-hand in this police chase. We also see the setting in the foreground, a busy street with much litter on the pavement; hinting at the social status of the area the film takes place in,

During this opening sequence, a very fast-paced song plays (non-diegetic), making the chase high speed and adrenaline pumping. During the opening sequence, there are very little points in which the pace comes to halt. The protagonist continues to narrate over this sequence, suggesting his primary role in the film. This is also enforced by the fact that a majority of the shots are focused on him.

Medium shot of Renton smoking a joint tells the audience that he is a drug user and may be hint as to why he was being chased; also suggesting trouble may be come often to him. His clothes look old and dirty, giving us an idea of his social class, Also the room he is in looks dirty and ruined, hinting at a poor, poverty-stricken lifestyle. His facial expression show the effects of the drug he is taking.

We then see a wide shot of the group playing football, however the way they are dressed suggests they may not have enough money to afford the proper outfit. The way they stand suggests they are not taking this sport very seriously. Renton is even smoking a joint whilst on the pitch, representing him as a drug abuser.

The other team, however, are dressed in full football kits and stand as if they are proper football team. Highlighting the social barrier between the two teams.

We then see multiple freeze frames of the rest of the group. 'Sick-Boy' is seen showing anger and frustration, representing his character in a similar way.Also, his unpleasant name may be a hint at his character. After this, a freeze frame of 'Begbie' appears after he aggressively tackles an opponent. He laughs afterwards, suggesting that he is not taking this serious and perhaps enjoys the pain of others.
Finally, we see 'Spud'. The name connotes stupidity, suggesting his character isnt very smart and is clumsy. He fails to save the shot, causing the group to go mad. Also, his is wearing a Superman t-shirt which pokes humor at his character because he is far from Superman.

Then we see a mid-shot of three women and a baby. Suggesting they are the (girl)friends of the group. One woman is smoking in the company of a baby, this is often frowned upon and suggests a careless attitude.

Renton is hit in the face by the ball, then the camera jump cuts to him taking a frag from the joint. Suggesting the sensation is similar and can take you off your feet. As he falls on the pitch, the camera tracks him falling in the room due to the effect of the drug. These cuts are effective in telling the audience the falling is similar in both instances. He hits the floor simultaneously in both shots, suggesting he has hit rock-bottom with his drug-abusing lifestyle.

I have used Trainspotting as one of my primary inspirations for my opening sequence; the significance of drugs and the specific time period were linked to this film. The main character's reliance on such drugs played a large influence on my character's story.

Research - Goodfellas Opening Sequence

Goodfellas

Goodfellas is a 1990 American biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a film adaption of the 1986 non-fiction book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese. The film narrates the rise and fall of Luchesse Crime Family associate Henry Hill and his friends over a period from 1955 to 1980.

In this opening sequence we are first introduced to the film distributor, Warners Bros. with a simple black background and white text on top. The text is shown with an effect used to emulate a speeding car.


Then we see that the producer is an individual, Irwin Winkler. Warner Bros. actually financed this film, however Winkler was the acting producer. He was essentially the person that put forward the idea to Warner Bros. for this film to be made. It can also be said that he has a good relationship with the director, Martin Scorsese because of his previous work with him (Raging Bull, New York New York, The Wolf of Wall Street). The amount of movies in Winkler's filmography suggests he often presents ideas to production companies in order to have them financed.


Following this we see the director's name, however this is not typically seen so early in opening sequences. Yet this is different when the film is directed by such a famous director, such as Scorsese. This is similar in Tarantino movies.

After this frame we then see the names of 5 of the top billed actors from this film. Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. These opening credits follow the generic order of titles in opening sequences.


The live-action opens with a lone car driving in the pitch-black night. This connotes the idea of secrecy and criminal activity in relation to the movie's genre of crime. The camera tracks the car from the side as it drives along the dark road.


This frame includes the time period and setting of the movie. New York is often a popular destination for movies; yet it is also used in many crime films. The Godfather to name one.


We then see a medium shot in a car showing the three protagonists. The contnent of their dialogue is based on the driver believing he has hit something witht he car. The three men are dressed in suits, suggesting their affiliation with 'mafia' crime.


After pulling over, the men find that the source of the noise was a bloody man in the trunk. The man in the trunk solidifies the protagonists positions in the movie as criminals. One of the men then proceeds to stab the man multiple times to essentailly 'finish the job'. Furhter suggesting that there is most definately a stroy behind this man's fate.


One of the members of the group then shoots the obviously dead man multiple times. Suggesting his attitude towards this criminal behaviour. The camera very quickly cuts to a mid shot of Ray Liotta, suggesting to the audience that he plays a primary role in this film and this crime is of much significance to him. In addition to this, the rear lights on the car create an ominous red tint on the three characters. Showing them as fairly demonic and relentless in realtion to their crime. The use of red with the blood and the lights connotes the idea of death.


The camera then zooms on to a close up of Ray Liotta, he then narrates non-diegetically 'As far back as I remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.' The red tint remains on his face, still connoting ideas of death and brutality.

We then see frames of the title and the important crew behind the film

The use of gangsters and criminals in my opening sequence was influenced by Goodfellas, to a degree. The difference in American and British cultures obviosuly meant I could not be fully influenced with these characters. The main character in Goodfellas states that all his life he wanted to be a gangster. This line partly influenced the fact that crime is somewhat glamorised in my opening sequence, as it is seen as a 'cool' route to take in life.