Analysis of opening seqeunce of Memento (Contact Sheet)

The 9 points/frames are:

1. The title of the film: The fact that the title of the film is in a dark blue colour against a black background could suggest that the title of the film has authority and perhaps the audience feel threatened by the word 'Memento' as stands out and is in block capitals. The fact that the word has authority relates to the film very well as the main character Leonard requires photographs which are mementos to get by everyday. This could show that the memento has power over Leonard as the photographs are in total control of Leonard's actions.

2. How the setting or location is revealed: The floor in the shot with the bullet looks very ordinary and plain, the fact that the flooring is dusty and looks like it has never been cleaned- or at least recently- could mean that this place has been abandoned and is a warehouse or outhouse. The fact that there is dust and that the floor hasn't been cleaned could suggest that nobody goes down there very often or perhaps not many people even know it is there. As there is a bullet lying on the floor , it could perhaps convey to the audience that someone has been killed or are in great danger. This could maybe make the reader feel a bit uneasy about the place.

3. Costumes and props: The polaroid camera that a male character is holding represents the title of the film. The word 'Memento' meaning an object or item that serves to remind you of a person or a past event- keepsake or souvenier. The polaroid camera emphasises this as a photgraph is a prime example of a memento. The fact that the audience can not see what the character is taking a picture of in this shot means that it keeps them guessing- who the person in the picture is or what state the person is in.

4. Interesting camera work/editing: The shot of the blood travelling down the frame of the camera shot is very good editing and also camera work. As the camera is tilted means that it is acting as eyes to whoever the character was that just got shot. This is a good camera technique as it isn't a normal camera angle used in thriller films. The editing of the blood flowing down the screen show to the audience that the person that has been shot is indeed dead.

5. Title and font style: The writing appears on the screen in the same colour as the word 'Memento' and it still appears with the dark background. The fact that the titles fade into the centre of the frame whilst a soundtrack plays is effective. The titles appear onto the screen just how the character appears- his hand suddenly appears into the centre of the frame.

6. Story- how the opening sets the story up: The photgraph with a dead man on it covered in blood sets up the story well but also asks the audience to provide some questions as to what is going to happen or in fact what has happened. The shot of the photgraph also again reinforces the name of the film and what relation the film has to the title.

7. Genre (thriller)- and how the opening suggests it: The shot of Leonard (main character) reaching out to grab a gun while looking at a victim on the floor suggets the film is a thriller. The fact that Leonard shoots the victim means that he has no guilt and perhaps the audience want to know- why he shot him and what the relationship is between the two men. As they are in an abandoned warehouse means that Leonard can not be discovered for what he has just done and perhaps the victim will never be found.

8. How any characters are introduced: The shot of Leonard approaching to kill the victim (Teddy) is a great indication to the audience as what he is like as a character. Leonard is introduced to the audience as quite a tough character as he has scratches on his face and is out to cause trouble. The fact that the cuts on his face are not explained to the audience, this could raise questions about how he got them. When he kills Teddy it shows to the audience that maybe he doesn't think things through first and is a man all about violence.

9. Any special effects (or any particular shot you really like): I particually like the shot of Leonard in black and white as it shows that perhaps he has gone back in time. The shot is really effective as it stands out to the audience as being different from the rest of the shots in the opening sequence. It shows that perhaps he is vulnerable person as he can't remember anything that has recently happened to him, this reinforces that he needs mementos to keep track of everything because of his condition.

Analysis of Memento-Is it a good opening sequence?

Is the opening sequence to Memento a good opening sequence?

I think that the opening sequence for Memento is a very good opening sequence as it ticks all the boxes of what an opening sequence should be. It is slow paced which gives the audience a chance to settle into the cinema and prepare for the film that is approaching. The fact that it is slow paced also means that the audience are 'lead' into the film and not dropped straight into the action and the information that the film contains isn't too fast for the viewers to process so they understand the plot so far.

The opening credits inform the audience of who is starring in the film and the team that never get seen- the director and the others that are in charge of the special features such as costumes, lighting, producers and editors. These are all crucial people to the making of the film.

Most opening sequences familiarise the viewers with the setting however in Memento the name of the film is emphasised with the first shot of the character holding a photograph. The fact that the photo is gruesome shows that the character in the frame is quite a sinister, violent character and perhaps creates danger.

The film establishes a certain mood or tone by conveying to the audience the first shot of the main character holding the photograph of a man dead in an abandoned warehouse. This creates a sinister, violent aggressive mood which are all qualities of the main character 'Leonard' possess. As the audience see the photograph that the man is clutching, they may want to avoid this certain character and hope that he does not cause anymore destruction to any objects or any opposing characters that we discover later in the film. The fact that the man is holding a photograph to remember that particular incident could suggest to the audience that this man has mental problems and relies on souveniers to help his memory.

The soundtrack that is being played during the opening shots has a slow tempo which could represent the mood of the shot. The fact that the soundtrack is being played by strings that are playing at a lower octave which emphasises the melancholy atmosphere.

As the main character is holding a photo of a dead man, the audience will want to ask questions such as 'Who is the dead man?' and 'Why is he dead?' and perhaps what the main character has to do with the major incident.

Analysis of Memento

1) Comment on the title of the film.
-The name of the film 'Memento' is in capital letters which means it stands out and is very clear for the audience to see. A memento is; a physical reminder or a object/ souvenier that is kept as a reminder of a place or special event that has happened. The fact that the word 'Memento' fades into the frame means that it is introducing the film to the audience. As the word is in large font it shows the audience that it is high in importance so the word 'Memento' is highly related to the film.


2) Describe the setting or location.
-The place where the man is killed is an abandoned building- it is very isolated as they are the only two characters in the building it could perhaps make the audience feel that they are not meant to be there which adds to the sinister atmosphere of the film. The effect of this is that the character called Teddy is very vulnerable and he has no-one else to turn to as he is faced with his killer. This could make the audience feel sympathy for the man that is about to die as he has no-where to turn to save himself and can not resist his fate.


3) What are the key props in the film?
-The key props that feature in this film are the gun that he uses to kill the man but more importantly the photo that he takes of the dead man lying on the floor. He also uses a polaroid camera to take a picture of Teddy as he is dying on the floor. The photo that has been taken of Teddy represents the name of the film 'Memento as a photo is an example of a memento.

4) The camera work and editing.
-The opening sequence is very slow paced which could perhaps create a more tense atmosphere for the audience to endure. The fact that all the shots are either close ups/ extreme close ups (with one mid shot) means that the audience are focused on the memento that is in the frame. It also adds importance and authority to each individual shot that we see. The opening sequence creates more questions for the audience to answer rather than answering them for the viewers. For example why the main character (Leonard) is taking a picture of the man he just shot (Teddy). The sounds of the man taking the picture of the body is made louder which conveys to the audience that these are sounds that we should perhaps remember. This film has a totally different style of editing as the film is made backwards and shown this way to the audience.

5) The title
-The word Memento is placed in the centre of the frame which means that the audience can't help but notice it as they watch. The fatc that the font is large could perhaps draw more attention to the title while we watch what is going on behind it. Both the credits and opening title are in the colour of blue but the credits are in a slightly different shade.

6) Does the opening sequence relate to the rest of the film?
-I think the opening sequence could easily be linked with the following footage as it provides the audience with the sinister atmosphere and allows the audience to have a brief overview of what the film has in store. The close ups of the differnet props that the main character uses introduces them to the audience and perhaps gets the viewers thinking what they are related to in the rest of the footage. The opening sequence makes it so easy for the audience to be 'hooked' into the film and perhaps gives them the base of questions that would perhaps like to ask to find out crucial answers.

Comparing Two Opening Sequences

'Final Destination' and 'Kill Your Friends'

Cinematography;

In 'Kill Your Friends' the scene starts with a perspective shot, from the view of a person that could perhaps be starring in the film or opening sequence. There is a flashback clip which is made by short fast clips (which is a complete contrast to the longer shots that set the scene of the house.) However in 'Final Destination' all the clips in the opening sequence are short clips that made the audience feel there is a sense of panic as everything is being rushed in the frame. Also the slow motion at the end of the clips emphaises what happens to each character.

Sound;

In the opening sequence to 'Kill Your Friends' the soundtrack is a drum beat which is very repetitive and some guitar which plays to accompany the drums. This is a big comparison to 'Final Destination' the music is similar with the other one but it has a faster tempo which makes the music filled with more adrenaline for the audience.

Mise-en-scene;

In my opinion the props are a major part of the sequence of 'Kill Your Friends' as it emphasises the the characters behaviour and what his night was like last night. Also the fact that the credits are fitted into everyday objects makes the reader really focus on the film which means they are really engaged with the film which is always a good thing. However in 'Final Destination' there are no props but is also a less range of colour in it as the colour scheme is dark, dull colours which represents the death of people in the films.

Final Destination Opening Sequence

http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00187-The_Final_Destination

Final Destination Trailer

Title Sequence VS Trailer

Movie Trailer;
- An over view of the story or plot
- Grab the audiences attention
- Action- the 'good' bits
- Who is starring in the film
- Voiceover with the details of the film
- No giveaway about what is in store
- Montage editing (overview)
- Generally fast paced editing
- Loads of shots
- Persuade the viewer to follow up- go and watch the film

Movie Opening Sequence;

- Got to hook you in

- Familiarise the viewer with the setting

- Slow paced- leads you into the narrative

- Introduces you to some main characters through shots of them and titles

- Establish a certain 'mood' or 'tone'

- Creates an atmosphere

- Soundtrack of music helps to set tone of the film

- Viewers need to feel curiosity or engaged and have questions that they want the film to answer.

The Sixth Sense

Opening sequence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44VRhcFxFF4

Se7en

The Brief

This is the brief;

To create the title and opening sequence of a new thriller film, lasting a maximum of two minutes.

Preliminary Task- Peer Feedback

What Went Well;

• 180 degree rule was effective
• Match on Action (bin clips)
• A wide variety of camera shots
• Eye-line match with the bin sequence.
• Good shot/reverse/shot
• The continuity of the character entering the room was effective.

Even Better If;

• The background sound had bad continuity (keyboard sound)
• No master shots were used in the task and the camera shots we did use were similar
• If we used a greater range of camera angles.

I will need to use this feedback in my future tasks for Media Studies so that I can get a higher grade at the end of the course. For example many groups commented that I needed to use a wider range of camera shots and angles to make my work better.