Media StudiesCrime Movies’ Opening Sequences 001

Leon the Professional

For the first fifteen seconds, the denotation of these 3 shots is to let people know Luc Besson was the director of the film and it is presented by Gaumont Production Company.

The written codes connote a binary opposition of black and white, signifying good versus evil. The audience can infer action in this movie.

The Introduction1) Cut

2) Cut 3) Cut

The Introduction of the actors and actresses 4) Cut

5) Fade in

6) Fade in

The 4th shot cuts in and denotes a sea in thebackground. The camera started tracking while the main actors’ names (Jean Reno, Gary Oldman) then faded in and out from one to another i.e. a cross dissolve editing technique.Non-Diegetic sounds (soundtrack) is audible when shot 4 cuts in.

7) Fade in

8) Fade in

9) Fade in

10) ES of New York

Since it is a continuous filming process, the camera tracks from the sea to the land from shot 6 to shot 7 and 8. In shot 7, the denotation of “Natalie Portman” fades in and out, as does the written codes in shot 8. This signifies the actors and actresses of the film. Shot 9 denotes the dominant text “LEON”. This connotes the title of the film and it is enlarged to draw the audience’s attention. Shot 10 is an establishing shot of a city and it signifies where the story takes place; in this iconic city of New York (the trees resemble Central Park).

Shot 11 cuts in, and it is a long shot of the road in New York, which anchors shot 10. Actors and actresses’ names fade in and out in shot 11 and 12. Since they appear in pairs, they are not as important as the names denoted in the previous shots. The camera continued tracking forward along the road, signifying a journey.

11) Cut (Text: Fade in)

12) Fade out

The Credits 13) Text: Fade in

14) Text: Fade out

Denotation of “Music by Eric Serra” in shot 13 and “Written and directed by Luc Besson” in shot 14, show the credits of the film.

15) Tracking closerFor shot 15, the camera tracks closer to the banner which denotes “ Welcome To Little Italy” with an Italy national flag and the United States national flag. This connotes where the story takes place; in an Italian community within the US.

16) Cut in

17) Tracking closer

18) Tracking Closer

After the introduction of the credits, comes a cut to a long shot of “Supreme MacaroniCo.” in shot 16. Then a denotation of “Guido’s Restaurant” in s hot17. The camera keeps tracking forward in to the restaurant until shot18. The darkness in shot 18 makes audience to Question, ‘What will happen here?’ The denotation of “Guido’s restaurant” connotes there will be a character named Guido, who is the owner of this restaurant.

The place where the story starts

19) Fade in

20) Getting brighter

21))

After the camera tracks into the restaurant, shot 19 fades in from transparent to solid form. Shots 19 -21 denote a Close up of a pair of thick hands , which signify a male’s hands. Then shot 22 denotes said man wearing round sunglasses which has a reflection of a glass of milk in front of him anchors the previous shot showing continuity. There is a reflection of someone sitting opposite him. Shot 23 anchors the other man.

22) Cut in

23) Cut in This man looks middle aged as he has wrinkles.The smoking signifies his rebellious personality. Diegetic sound of Italian dialogue.

Shots 19 to 23, CU shots.

24) Cut in + Close up 25) Cut in + Close up

26) Cut in + Close up 27) Cut in + Close up

28) Cut in + Close up 29) Cut in + Close up

“Let’s talk Business…”(Shot 27 anchors the character in shot 28) This is a shot reverse shot of a conversation between the two men.

“Okay … okay…”(Shots 25, 26)

Guido speaking

30) Cut in + Close up

31) Close up + eye movement

32) Cut in + Close up

33) Cut in + Close up

Guido is talking to Leon, “He just wants(30) a little conversation (31), but this guy he doesn’t want to hear about it (32), maybe he will listen To you. (33).”

The extreme close up of the eye in shots 30, 31 and 33 is unnerving for the audience. We can infer that the man in shot 32 is the object of this conversation.

“He comes the town every Tuesday, are youFree on Tuesday?” asked by Guido“ Yea, I’m free Tuesday.” replied Leon.Shot 34 connotes that Leon is a determined individual, focused and enigmatic.

34) Cut in + Close up

35)Cut in + Close up

36) Cut in + Close up

37) Cut in + Close up

Leon started drinking the milk. Why milk? Shows he is a sober man who has strong bones!Tense non-diegetic sound effects are audible while he is drinking his milk, making the action more strained. Leon like to take his time.

38) Cut in + Extereme Close up

39) Extreme Close up + Bird’s eye view

40) Cut in + Extreme Close up

41) Cut in + Extreme Close up

Shot 38, Leon’s hand is on the picture, which connotes the fat guy is his target and Leon is aimed to deal with him.

Shot 39, the picture is taken by Leon, connotes Leon is going to find him and maybe kill him.

Shots40 and 41, Leon is determined. He did not smile, which connotes he maybe a cold-blooded person. He wore sunglasses inside which signifies he does not want to have eye contact with others, does not want anybody to see his face. He is an enigma.

This is

THE ENDof the opening sequence of Leon The Professional