Opening Sequence Analysis

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Romance/Comedy/Drama
Director: Blake Edwards

In the opening scene we immediately discover that Paramount had some contribution to the film as it is the first thing that appears on the screen and then shortly after sets the scene in New York using an iconic yellow Taxi and the famous New York skyline. Within 30 seconds we are introduced to the protagonist as the scene is entirely focused on Audrey Hepburn who is playing Holly Golightly and to begin with there's no other people around. Before even seeing her face the audience is captivated by a low angle shot which shows that she is outside Tiffany's and then Audrey Hepburns name appears and we see her eating breakfast. I think this opening scene is effective as it explains the title of the film almost immediately and we do not see the front of Audrey Hepburns face until all of the cast have been credited for. The use of music at the beginning which she later sings in the film is also effective as the audience will be familiar to it later on in the film and link it to the character of Holly Golightly. The director cleverly places his name as the last name to be placed on the screen so that it's the last thing the audience will remember and rounds off the entire scene also making him seem important. I like the use of the music as it's fairly chilled out and relaxed which mirrors that of the main character, Holly Golightlys personality throughout the film.

No Strings Attached (2011)
Romance/Comedy
Director: Ivan Reitman

The opening scene first sets the location by showing that they're at some sort of camp through the use of a prop with camp printed on it. A piece of text them comes up on the screen saying '15 years ago' so that the audience can understand. Paramount pictures is first to be credited with 'A Viacom Company' being printed below it therefore crediting the conglomerate owning Paramount. Then other comapanies are credited after such as Montecito Picture Company and underneath in capitals it says production so that the audience know what department they should be credited for when watching the film. The use of the 90s song is possibly to suggest what time the scene in the film is as the song begins playing before any image to do with the film comes up and so this gives the audience a feel for how old the characters are. The scene takes a long time setting the scene as the camera seems to pan in on the moment so that the audience can acknowledge the surroundings of the area. The use of mise en scene plays a significant role in determining the film in the opening as it presents three different time eras where both costume and make up are portrayed differently depending on what was in fashion at specific times.



Forrest Gump (1994)
Drama/Romance
Director: Robert Zemeckis

The opening scene takes a while to set the scene before it shows any characters. The camera points to the sky to give the audience an idea on what type of day it is which appears to be a typical cloudy day where 'Paramount Pictures' then appears on the screen to highlight the importance of the production company, it then follows a feather. This enables the director to give the audience an idea of the location and whereabouts of the filming and a sort of background knowledge to the film. As the camera tracks following the feather beginning to fall to the centre where everything is going on and as it gets lower the audience are able to get an idea for what time it is set due to the older looking cars. The feather sets on a mans shoulder for a second but then the music lifts up as does the feather to signify that the feather shall continue on it's journey this is effective because it links to the storyline of the film and how just when you think your journey is over another one will begin. The feather sets next to someones dirty old trainers, due to the camera being entirely focused on this it is obvious to the audience that this is the main character and the filthy trainers against the pristine feather may be symbolic later on in the film. When he puts the feather into his case which is perfectly packed the audience have already got an idea of what kind of person he is before he has he even said a word. I think this opening scene is good because it creates a sort of climax as it takes its time before introducing the protagonist, Tom Hanks. The use of music has quite a feelgood tune about it and through the gradual build up in the music.