Film Opening Research 2

Psycho
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin

Credits are in stark black and white, with grey lines running across the screen, creating an image of running blood. Credits them selves are distorted and broken at times, perhaps representing the flawed mind of the films culprit. The music is hurried, wavering and dramatic, creating an unsettled mood. The strings have a stabbing effect, pre-empting the events to come. The first shot is of a stark city landscape, from above. Low-level lighting is used, and as the film is shot in black and white, a film noir effect is created. This gives a dim and foreboding mood to the shot. A sense of detachment is given by lack of actual camera shots. Very little is given away by ending shot of city.

Double Indemnity
Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson

Silhouetted figure presents mysterious themes. Information being kept from viewer, keeps people interested. Sinister music and crutched man give foreboding mood. Crutched man suggests theme of violence. Encroaching silhouetted figure gives idea of impending doom. Introduction and credits fairly typical of period/film Noir. Man finally reaching foreground with music reaching crescendo gives opening a definitive and dramatic ending. Long shot of man on crutches suggests his later importance within the film. First shot is of dimly lit main street, presenting only that the film is taking place in Los Angeles, this too is typical of Film Noir style.

Se7en
Directed by Arnold Kopelson
Starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwenyth Paltrow

Distorted and ugly music, with non-digetic sound effects. Ugly images shown, such as picture of broken hands, man removing fingerprints, suggests themes of films. Picture has effects put on it, such as red colouring (symbolises blood), and is jumpy, although film is flawed. This is all linking to damaged mind of killer. Noises used are harsh and grating, some sound like stifled screams or cries. Images are broken and jumpy, music has effects on to give a warped effect (phaser). Writing is featured countless times, with words being written and blacked out, hinting at psychological themes and intelligence of culprit. Images and words being blacked out are symbolic of murders. Pages of books being turned represent unfolding story line to come, and perhaps a twist. Music incorporates both digetic and non digetic-sound to create sense of confusion and panic. Everything is warped and tampered with (sound, images and picture itslef) to show warped nature of characters and plot. Colours used are bland and dark. Sound bridge used to take us into first shot; sound being that of a police siren and general city noise, the shot being large, towering buildings of what appears to be inner city new york. Everything deployed by the director creates a depressing, twisted and dark mood to take the viewer back into the film, following the scene prior to the credits, which, in its own nature, is also twisted and somewhat revolting.