Analysing the opening sequence

Edge of Darkness (2010)

Narrative structure

• The narrative structure in this film is linear and flows continuously from the beginning, middle and end.

• However, some parts are fragmented as past footage and videos are shown in the film, such as the opening sequence, which begins with a childhood video of a little girl and her daddy at the beach.

Codes and conventions

The codes and conventions used in the opening sequence of the thriller, Edge of Darkness.

• Darker tones of blue and grey shown in the weather shot. Shimmer of light reflecting from a full moon in the sky

• Isolated houses are seen in the far distance located in the mountains-mystery created with houses

• Deep based quiet music playing • Old footage showing little girl at a beach

Cinematography

• Establishing shot revealing the location and weather in the scene.

• Focus in the frame is on floating dead bodies as they appear on the top of the water in a medium shot.

• Medium shot of girl running on the beach, following a zoom-out of a long shot

• Pan shot as she runs into the sea• Medium shot of protagonist waiting at station

Sound• Deep based quiet music playing • Softly creating tension• Sound of small water waves and bubbles as dead bodies reach

the surface and float• Ambient sound of waves in the sea • Little girl’s diegetic laughter and innocent scream from cold water • Diegetic dialogue from girl ‘ Come on Daddy!’ • Diegetic dialogue of father as he videos her, ‘Yeah its cold huh?’• Sound of sand falling as she builds castle• Ambient footstep noises at train platform• Suttle sound of diegetic voice announcing train information

Editing

• Credits of film title are shown at the beginning of film with fade in and out

• Fuzzy recording screen filtered for video affect• Transition has fuzzy filter between shots• Cuts to close up and medium shots of little girl• Eye-line match revealing arrival time for flights• Shot reverse shot as protagonist and daughter

meet