Research - Existing Opening Scene

Although it is not of the genre that I intend my final piece to be, here I am going to look at the opening scene of the film 'Trainspotting' as I believe it is an extremely good example of an opening sequence, seeting the mood and highlighting the main characters extremely well.

The scene opens with a tracking shot of Renton as he is being pursued by security guards, the use of this shot and the immediate focus on Renton gives the impression that he is the main character and we will follow him throughout the film. The fact that the shot freezes on him and we are told his name before any of the other characters also gives the impression that he is going to be the main character. The scene also uses titles to identify the other main characters, showing them doing something, then freezing the frame and showing their name. I think this is a very effective way of identifying the main characters and is something I may well try and emulate in my final piece.

Non-diagetic sound is used in the form of a fast paced song throughout the scene, this fits with the action taking place in the scene and also gives the viewer the impression that the film is going to be fast paced. There is also a voice over and the person speaking has a Scottish accent which suggests to the viewer that the film may be set in Scotland.