Panic Room

The opening sequence to 'Panic Room'...

The why that the camera has used a long shot over the city looks really cool, I’m not sure that I would be able to get a long shot of my filming destination but I really like how they have added it into their film. I also love the way that the staring names are the main focus of the screen, as it shows how powerful their name is. The use of the camera angles are really effective as they just pan from one name to another.

The music creates tension but it gives an overall feel for the importance of the actors names. The camera creates a sweeping effect. as the camera pans from one name to another. The Names have been added to look as if they are part of the city.

The main actresses name has been really extenuated by the boldness and the tension in the music. The whole of the opening is very atmospheric.

I really love the way that the names have been edited in, especially when the film title is about to appear, and you can see it mirrored in the windows of the sky scraper. I just think this looks really good!!

As the camera pans round to the right it reveals the film title and it creates such an atmosphere. The title looks so grand and important, as it's floating above street level in line with the high-rise blocks.

Then the camera tilts up to reveal the Empire State Building in the distance, giving the viewers a sense of where they are.

This is a very basic concept yet it’s brilliantly executed.

The Taxi Driver

Opening sequence of 'The Taxi Driver'

This is the Taxi driver. I love the use of the music to begin with, creating tension as the title is revealed. The close up of the smoke is really cool and I am going to try and introduce this into my film. 

The Taxi then mysteriously drives out of the smoke, and then the scene fades into darkness later revealing the character. The Camera angle doesn't quite give away the fact that it's a taxi but you don't get many yellow cars with stripes down the side. Also the clue's in the title! 

I really like the way that the camera has filmed close up to the characters face, just showing their eyes and nose. this creates a mysterious air about the character, as we don't officially know what he looks like. You can see the characters eyes twitching, which looks effective. I may try to incorporate this type of technique in my film. 

Later we come to learn that the character at the beginning is driving, hence the name 'Taxi Driver'. When we first see this character, his face phases from light to dark to bright red. this is due to the cars headlights driving towards him.

Then the camera fades from the face into darkness and then onto the windscreen. The rain has distorted the view, making the bright street lights blurry, and creating a really cool effect. Again the camera has been used in the position of the driver, putting the viewers in the characters position.  

Although the car is shown to be moving in slow motion, the surrounding nightlife is distorted as if it  were taken at speed. The camera has been shot from the drivers seat, giving the viewer the feeling of being in the drivers seat.

Gattica...

The opening scene to Gattica..

I really Like this opening sequence because it's so simple yet so effective. To begin with there is almost no noise, whilst the quotes create a historic atmosphere. 

I really like the close up on the nails, hair and skin and the repetitive sounds as the particles drop to the ground!

As the music progresses and the movement and noise of the the hair falling in slow motion  an atmosphere is created. This looks great on a normal TV, but I bet it would be even better  in 3D at the cinema!!! 

I love how the camera is so close up to the Particles that you feel like they are right in front of you. I also love how the camera is close enough to capture the hair bouncing back up after hitting the ground.

At this part of the opening sequence, the title appears, with what resembles snow falling. The 'Snow' is just out of focus. I like how later on the 'snow' comes into focus and is revealed as skin particles. 

I love this next bit when the camera continues to pan to the right, showing all of the skin, hair and nails beginning to build up. 

Then a character is introduced, but not fully. There is an element of mystery, as the camera never shows the full face, just certain parts.