CASE STUDY OF A FILM OPENING

TITLE- The Matrix. Green on black random looking codes, futuristic and digital goes with the theme of the movie. The code then dissolves to reveal the title, in the same font as the code was in.

INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION- Two production companies are shown: Warner Brothers, and Village Roadshow Pictures. Both are show in green on the black background, which is the colour theme for the Matrix.

Job titles are not shown in the opening two minutes. Perhaps they were thought to be distracting where they wanted to keep the scene clear as the audio gives audience privelidge, and so not hearing it may lead to confusion later on.

MUSIC and OTHER SOUND- the first sound we hear is throughout the two production logos- Some kind of squeaking brass sound, with a bass running through it. This ties the two production teams together in the same space and makes it seem more like equals.

This continues and fast string instruments some into the song and the new timbre of soft tapping (like a cross between rustling leaves and typing- most likely designed to sound like fast typing to match the digital code) comes into the audio.

All fades out as the video does and we can just hear bleeps to match the green typing line for 8 seconds with a phone ring in the background. Then we hear audio from a phone call which is important to the audience to listen to as it hints that there is 'the one' out there who they're finding, and that the girl likes watching him. At one point the audio is pointed out by the girl through her saying 'did you hear that?' in response to a very slight change in the soundtrack, and says she thinks she's being traced. Which gives the audience the hint that they are hiding from something.

Following that is the audio from the police chase- loud footsteps and a fierce kick of the door and dialogue demand to the girl to raise her arms.

MAIN CHARACTER INTRODUCED- The main character is mentioned here as 'the one'. Though at this point, the main person featured at the opening is the woman speaking, and then shown at the end of the opening scene in trouble with the police. This may be so that the female side of the audience has something to relate to from the beginning.

MOOD SET UP THROUGH SETTING/LIGHTING- dark lighting for the police scene shows that a dark thing is about to happen- Lit by torches the lights have purposefully been turned off so it's obvious the police are there to look for something hidden.