Analysing Film Openings 1

I have done some analysing of the opening of a film in the Thriller genre. I began analysing the Opening Sequence at 01:04 on the clip.

'Murder By Numbers':

The opening credits begin with a slow moving forward, level, MID establishing shot, the ms-en-scene displays waves crashing against rocky cliffs; seeming calm whilst setting the scene. The crashing waves may symbolically connote a future threat or disturbance to the audience. A sense of isolation is also suggested, as the audience follow the waves through the camera, without any characters present.
Non-diagetic music combines through the editing with the shot; slow piano keys and violins are heard. Both the violins play a mixture of unhurried and upbeat paces, as if to stimulate a heartbeat; which may be used to create tension for the audience, with an additional sense of uncertainty. The editor fades this shot to a black, back grounded screen with credits, bridging the non-diagetic music, to continue the suspense for the audience without exhibiting a visual aid.

The director prolongs the suspenseful atmosphere for the audience, through the edited fading of an establishing long shot, displaying through the ms-en-scene what seems to be an abandoned house at the cliff edge. The camera slowly zooms into the window of the building. Continuing inside through the camera the ms-en-scene exhibits an aged wooden interior; seeming slightly eerie whilst maintaining the interest of the audience through prolonged tension.
The non-diagetic music’s volume is lowered by the editor, gradually ceasing. Diagetic dialogue begins; indicating the presence of characters and revealing to the audience that the building is not abandoned.  The ms-en-scene displays two males, both white and dark haired, are seen facing each other in a birds eye shot, creating an abnormal view of the scene; which is possibly used to suggest an uncomfortable or irregular relationship between characters.

The editor quickly cuts to a black screen displaying more credits with a silent pause; which may be used to prolong tension and intensify curiosity. Then a non-diagetic gun shot is added, which could act as a hook for the audience, whilst teasing their curiosity; thus provoking more interest.

The following shots demonstrate an introduction to the male characters previously seen, hinting that the suggested 'death' of one of them is yet to be revealed to the audience.

A long shot establishes, through the ms-en-scene, what seems to be a class room. Young male and female roles wearing casual clothes are also visible through the ms-en-scene and are sitting at wooden desks; indicating to the audience they are students. They appear to be listening to a speaker as diagetic dialogue can be heard, he is similarly clothed through the ms-en-scene and is stationed at a lectern.

A mid shot of this speaker reveals to the audience that he is one of the male characters previously seen, through his distinct hair style in the mid shot and ms-en-scene. The cut pace has increased creating a spontaneous effect.

A slightly low angle group shot gives more detail of the class. One male student particularly stands out in this shot as he is centred and focussed on. His actions are unique in the group shot; head buried in his arms, whilst other students are sitting upright. The director has used this camera shot to draw the audience’s attention to him, giving his character significance.

The camera returns to the mid shot of the speaker, appearing to look emotively at the male student. Cutting to a low angle mid shot, the male student character is seen through the camera and ms-en-scene rebelliously looking up and snickering at the speaker, the ms-en-scene and detail provided in the mid shot helps confirm him as the other male in the previous scene.

Through the build up of camera shots and the increasing pace of cuts, there may be a suggested sexual tension between the characters for the audience. Even so, there is tension and awkwardness in this relationship through the choice of shots. Here they are suggested as opposites in society; one as a rebel, the other academic. From society’s viewpoint these individuals would not normally associate. The audience may wonder why these opposites join forces and what could possibly lead them to using a gun.

If you could comment or give feedback on my analysing I would really appreciate it! :D 

Thanks :)