Analysis of an opening sequence

The opening sequence for James Bond 007 Skyfall begins with the main protagonist James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) falling into the deep depth of the cold blue waters. This somehow links in with the title but instead of falling from the sky as the title suggests he is actually sinking which can also be seen as or interpreted as falling. The opening sequences for James bond films usually links in with the title for example James Bond Casino Royale opening sequence seemed cartoonish and depicted pictures you would normally see on cards such as diamonds, kings, spade also including colours associated with casinos such as green, red and black. Whilst with this opening sequence that I am analysing blue and black are seen as dominant colours, black being the colour of sophistication and class also connoting darkness and blue representing/connoting a calm nature also linking in with the smoothing non-diegetic sound played in the background.

The scene shown here shows a someone grabbing his wrist thus connoting someone could be trying to help him or bring him down to the darkness of despair. The opening shot tells the audience the name of the production company behind the film.

It also tells the audience the cast behind it, first being the main protagonist Daniel Craig showing that he has a crucial role in the film itself, this goes in order of importance in the film. Daniel Craig is well known for playing the role of James Bond in the previous films. The name also brings more audience because there may be fans of the famous actor. Then telling us the author of the book James Bond (Ian Fleming), they show his name because if there’s anyone a fan of the author they would be more likely to see the film. Shortly afterwards it finally shows the title of the film Skyfall in white bold letters. During the opening shot first we see James Bond sinking it then goes into a close up of someone grabbing his hand interpreting it as help, only to realise moments later in a wide shot that he is being pulled down by a huge hand, thus connoting someone is trying to drag him down into darkness denoting the colour black throughout the opening sequence. After this the title skyfall appears.

The scene here shows a wide shot of James Bond fading away slowly sinking into the depths of partly lit waters. This connotes that he is being forgotten as he is vanishes from sight or the he’s undercover. After the title is shown, all the relevant casts are mentioned so the audiences will know who stars in the film going in the order of importance.

Front view tracking shot is shown in this scene as weapons falling from the sky linking in with the title, as the weapons hit the ground they resemble graves which are already there, this connotes there will be a lot of deaths in the film and from the way it comes down from the black clouds tells the audience that there is a dark element to the plot.

As the front view tracking shot continues the scene turns from blue to black and red connoting something sinister will happened. The colour red connotes that there will be blood spilled which is inevitable in an action adventure genre. The co-producers are shown to the audience after the actors tell us audience they are not as well-known but still important. As this scene carries on it zooms in on James bond stern face and onwards through his blue eye connoting wisdom and intelligence.

As the opening sequence progresses it shows James Bond in the middle of a room with pillars cautiously looking around as it goes into a wide shot. It then shows a bird eye view of him shooting life like shadows. Many more people are mentioned to notify the audience who was behind the scene, these are all opening credits.

Mise en scene

Throughout the opening sequence, the uses of props were only weapons such as guns and knives which fits the action adventure genre and the film because James bond is known as a film which has a lot of fighting within it. The location was mostly set underwater throughout the opening sequence signifying darkness and fear. Some parts included a graveyard connoting death, which will incur in the film. The costumes used throughout the opening sequence were suits used by the protagonist. The suit connotes him being smart, professional and sophisticated. The lighting in the opening sequence presents itself as being dark to connote a dark element.

Sound, Editing and Cinematography

There is no diegetic sound throughout the opening sequence, which is quite unusual for an action/adventure opening sequence and goes against the codes and conventions. Instead, the gunshots are seen but are silent and there isn’t any speech throughout the opening sequence this adds to the surreal element. The editing shows many close ups and medium shots as well as wide shots to show actions on a bigger scale. The constant non-diegetic sound heard throughout is the called Skyfall made by Adele written specifically for this film. The song is in fact the opposite of you would hear for an action adventure genre.

Iconography

Iconography has been used where appropriate such as guns, knives, swords, blood, grave stones, skulls, shadows. From iconography alone, the audience may think the film genre would be considered a thriller or horror. However the lighting, characters and pace suggests otherwise.