film opening sequence analysis report sheet

Film Opening Sequence Analysis *Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice

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Cinematography & Camera Techniques

In Pulp Fiction the opening sequence starts off with both the main characters sat in an American diner both having a discussion about robbing the diner where they are sat. It shows an Establish shot of them both sat there, The establish shot shows the setting of where the first scene is going to take place. Normally an opening sequence will show where the film is based but the opening title sequence to Pulp Fiction just shows the 2 main characters sat down. It shows a Two shot of them both which tells us these are the 2 main characters that we need to focus on for this scene. Further on in the movie you see the waitress come over and offer both characters coffee, There is a close up shot on her face from a low angle and a point-of-view shot (pov) which shows a realistic view to how the man would see her from his angle where he is sat down and the waitress is stood up. Throughout the film we see constant medium shots of both of them, this helps show the facial expressions and body movements to show us as the viewer’s how serious he is about robbing of the diner as it also helps us see all there hand movements such as smoking a cigarette, drinking coffee or placing the gun down on the table. Another camera technique used is an over the shoulder shot, the camera angle is based behind the woman’s shoulder facing the man to show the angle that she sees him as and also shows his reaction to what he’s saying due to the fact he’s then the main image on the screen. It also includes a track and a zoom, these both concentrate on his face and as it moves into his body with a medium shot or zooms in into a close up it again shows how serious he is being about the whole of the idea.


Visual Effects & Colour Scheme

Where the film is based is a stereotypical American diner which has typical red diner chairs and tables. Another clip of the film that is a stereotypical is where the waitress has a dress and apron on pouring a cup of coffee, which happens in most scenes that are set in an American diner. Because of this straight away you know the film is based in America. They use high key lighting due to the fact it’s based during the day, this doesn’t go off usual genre conventions of robberies during day time.

Genre Conventions The beginning sequence is miss leading by it starting off with two people disusing a robbery in the diner that they are sitting in. It appears as a comedy due to the fact they are acting like It’s a normal thing to be planning a robbery, carrying a gun, calling each other pet names and by over exaggerating the kiss which could make the audience laugh.You begin to realise that it’s an action/gangster film when he slams the gun on the table and gets up and stands on the table shouting to the people around him. Shortly the woman stands up and over exaggerates shouting and swearing holding a gun up in the air. Due to the fact its filmed in high key it goes against genre conventions of robbing during the day which then makes you think about the type of genre it is.


Narrative All characters that appear in this scene all have an American accent this then shows us that the is filmed or based in America. The opening sequence is all about the dialogue between the characters explaining to the audience what the film is going to be about and what genre it is (action/gangster). In the film there is Diegetic and Non-diegetic sound, the diegetic sound comes from all 3 characters whereas the non-diegetic sound comes from the music in the background in the diner. One sound that could be based on both diegetic and non-diegetic sound in the gun effect slamming on the table due to the fact it sounds over exaggerated and by doing this it shows how serious he is being relating back to the point of not knowing whether it’s a comedy or not. There Is a lot of ambient sound happening during the duration of this scene which makes it realistic throughout the sequence. At the end of the scene when they both are stood up shouting with a gun threatening the people in the diner the tone of their voice goes ___ and the volume went up because they were shouting.


Editing Techniques During the opening sequence there aren’t much editing techniques apart from a cutaway which happens when discussing the robbing of the diner, the man leans forward towards the lady whilst he’s speaking this gets her more involved in the conversation and the audience as well. Another technique they use is Eye line match this happens when looking over the shoulder of the women to the man and when they are both looking up towards the diner lady, this technique is used very frequently.

Title Credit Design

film opening sequence analysis report sheet

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