2. Scarface
Scarface starts with subtitles to show historical context without using any
camera shots. This then leads onto show establishing shots which apply to the
subtitles. No characters are shown during the opening, just names occur within
the subtitles so we are not given to much information but we are given enough
background information through subtitles and establishing shots that we are
intrigued and wish to know more about the story. Throughout this non-diegetic
music played.
This screenshot shows that there is
a sense of power belonging to a
group of people due to the army
uniform and the high angle making
the refugees aboard the boat look
venerable or trapped.
A clear definitive title is
shown, clearly stating the
name of the film. The same
is done for the producers
and main actor to highlight
their importance.
3. Gangster Story
Gangster story opens with the Title of the movie, it then fades to a scene
including a safe via a sound bridge of non-diegetic music. The safe begins
to open as subtitles appear listing the people involved in the making of the
film, that alone connotes that the viewers are unlocking something of
importance, as the subtitles list the people of importance before the
narrative is displayed. The first scene is of a car, the camera side
tracks/pans the car and a character gets out, this is seen from a long shot.
This scene continues and a second character enters a taxi, we can only see
part of the characters and the scene as mid shots are used.
As the safe opens, non-diegetic
singing begins, from this scene
we can also see that low level
lighting is used to add a sense of
mystery, this matches the theme
of the music as it is ominous.
The subtitles are also very clear
to show the importance of the
people involved with Gangster
Story.
4. The Departed
The Departed opens with subtitles that highlight the location of the following scenes. It
shows fighting within Boston and the camera has been made slightly blurred and given a blue
tinge, this connotes that the narrative should not be clear to the viewers at this point, as well
as this a non-diegetic voice can be heard as a voiceover for the scenes. The camera side
tracks the fighting and is shown from a long shot.
From the slightly blurred edges we can see
the camera is zooming out and since the
focus is on the crack of the bus window, we
can see that is the original point of focus.
This is also a mid shot being used showing
these characters to be insignificant. The
non-diegetic voice can still be heard which
beings to signal that it is significant.
The non-diegetic voice becomes the
diegetic voice of the man present to the
left, he is a silhouette which would allow
viewers to generally assume he is
insignificant however it connotes he is
‘laying low’ and wants his identity to be
kept secret. As well as this, the contrast of
light portrays the women as good and the
man as bad.
5. Goodfellas
The film begins with showing the production company ‘Warner Bros’. It does this using a sound bridge, a
non-diegetic sound of cars is used to present the text as it slides across the screen into the midpoint. The
same is repeated for the producer, director and main actors which connotes they are all of equal
importance.
A side track is used to show the car
driving and to keep up with it. The scene
is framed in a mid shot and low level
lighting is used throughout the scene. The
fact that the only visible light comes from
the car suggesting it is significant and
since no light can be seen in front of the
car it connotes a path of darkness and
reduction of safety as roads generally
have lights to reduce collisions.
A two shot is displayed within this
scene highlighting a relationship
between these characters and
excluding the third. Red lighting is also
added to connote they are both evil,
although it’s just the rear car lights.
These two attack the man in the boot
whilst the third doesn’t which is why
these two are presented in a two shot.
6. American Gangster
The film opens showing the productions companies ‘Universal’ and
‘Imagine Entertainment’ along with non-diegetic music. Mid shots are
used to show all characters and track up is used to show a character
lighting a cigarette then moving it to his mouth. The only dialogue is
diegetic talking and screaming from a man the three characters have
captive. The non-diegetic music plays throughout and the pitches
heightens as the man that is captive is set a light and is shot which
emphasises the danger in the scene. A two shot can be seen here,
however one of the characters
appears to be in control more,
this can be seen as one of the
men is holding a weapon while
the other watches, generally the
weapon holder would be in
control however it appears as if
the other man is commanding
him as his body language is
relaxed and he is an older male
which connotes he is greater in
the hierarchy.
