Analysis of Opening Film Techniques Employed

Film Techniques Examples of typical film techniques used and why– Illustrate your findings with references to actual onscreen moments.

Titling – colour, font style, over image or black, timing, credits presentation etc

The title ‘The Shining’ which is painted in white with a black background connotes that an accident is going to occur in which someone innocent is going to die. The credits are shown in light blue which is a non threatening colour, and occupy the scene once at a time.

Camera Movement (panning, tracking, crane shot and crabbing etc)

The camera is tracking at a Birdseye view position so it can follow the car during the opening scene. This already suggests that the car may be symbolic or the person in the car plays an integral role in what is to happen as the film unravels.

Framing of Shot (CU, MLS, ELS etc)

During the opening sequences of the film, the framing of the shot is predominantly a bird’s eye view shot so we can observe the greater surroundings of the current location. Furthermore, the fact that we are tracking a car is deliberate because we as the audience are asking ourselves; Why are we being shown this car? Is it of any importance? What is going to happen to the driver inside the car?

Camera Angles (high and low angles etc

There were no specific high angle and low angle shots to note, that are of real effect.

Selection of mise-en-scène including colour, figure, pops, lighting, objects, location and setting;

Most of the characters working inside the middle-upper class building are wearing smart, linen clothes. The interview however, opts to red tie which is a coincidence considering he tells the interviewee that a man in his similar position had killed himself. Ironically, the protagonist, laughed off suggestions that a similar disaster was bound to occur, revealing that his wife, the same lady wearing red, with his son is an avid ghost and horror fan. Seemingly the implications are going to be tragic.

Editing directions(Match cuts, jump cut, reverse shots etc)

There are no reverse cuts during the opening sequences of the film because there are no characters involved at this period in time. However, there are match cuts included which signals continuity of the film, as we are tracking a car, which at first thought, may be presumably on the run from the police, and the bird’s eye view shot we get, are from the police force in a helicopter.

Sound techniques(diegetic, non diegetic, silence, dialogue

The non-diegetic music that is included in the film creates a bizarre, surreal, almost alienated feeling about the film, especially during the opening sequence of the film. The strange noises are something of a distraction to the audience as we try to familiarize ourselves with the plot. This is until we enter the second scene and dialogue is finally heard.

Actor’s positioning and movement

The overall positioning and movement of the main character is of a man who seems generally content with his local surroundings and what is going with regards to his life at this present time. His positioning suggests that he is generally keen to impress and the same thing can be said about his movement.