Lighting
The lighting in this title sequence is very cleverly used. We are able to see shadows from buildings, towering over people and other buildings. But, we are also are able to see natural light. These two different shades contrast each other and could confuse the viewer when they see them.
The shadows in the opening sequence symbolise and darkness of the idea of the film. We see shadows quite regularly covering buildings and people in the city. I think this shows the power that is held over the victims in the film by the perpetrators. It gives us the impression that they are being smothered and not by someone who is good, someone who is dark and evil. The shadows show us that not only the perpetrators of the film are dark, but also the idea of the film. A happy film wouldn't have dark shadows surrounding the set so we know it must be a thriller or dark film. The screenshot below shows people going through their normal daily routine, but they are covered by a dark shadow. This emphasises the fact that the victims in the film were just going along with their lives like normal when this frightening even happened to them.
The natural lighting in the opening sequence contrasts with the ideas that the shadows portray. We are able to tell from the natural light that it is the morning. We associate early morning with positive ideas (New day, new start, birds singing), which is why the natural light contrasts so much with the shadows because it gives us a positive impression, unlike the shadows. It also gives the viewer a different impression as to what the film is going to be about. Most things in the opening sequence tell us that the film is going to be dark and thrilling, but the natural light contrasts this and throws the viewer off what they think it will be about.
Music
The music in the opening sequence of Panic Room is dull, has low notes and is mostly a slow speed with some bursts of lower and slower speeds. The music creates an eerie feeling for the viewer about the film and also fits the film into its genre; thriller. The instruments used in the opening sequence are from the strings family and it is non-diegetic sound because it was added to the sequence for effect.
An example of when the music has bursts of low pitched notes and slower speeds is when the camera focuses on the credits "Panic Room". This further emphasises that fact that, because that's the title of the film, we are meant to feel the panic and fright in the film that the characters feel. It also emphasises the fact that Panic Room is a thriller and meant to scare the viewers. This change in music also happens when the camera focuses on the shot of the directors name. I think this is done to emphasise again that he created the film, so he is the creator of the panic and fright in the film.
The use of strings, and strings only, in the opening sequence says something about the movie. Strings are associated with thrillers and horrors in films all the time. It is rare that we hear woodwind or percussion instruments in these types of films. Just hearing the strings in the title sequence gives the viewer a sense of what the film is going to be about. It sets the viewer up to feel suspense and tension which is what a lot of the film is about.
Shot Size/Angles
The Panic Room opening uses wide shots to set the scene and atmosphere in the film. Occasionally the camera will zoom in on the image, but not dramatically so the shot size remains the same throughout the whole opening sequence. There is pretty much a different shot angle in every shot of the opening sequence of Panic Room. The high and low angles both create different feelings for the viewer like the way the perpetrator in the film feels and the way the victims feel.
The wide shots show that the setting for the film is a fast-paced, busy city that has a lot going on. An example of one of these wide shots is an image of the busy inner-city with credits cutting across a high rise building in the city. The shot lets us see many cars, people, buildings and businesses that are smothering the city. This shows us how easy it is to get lost or forgotten in a city like this which relates to the idea of the film with the main characters being trapped in a room with no way to get out or reach help.
The wide shots also give us an idea of the atmosphere that will be portrayed in the film. An example of one of these wide shots is the image of many tall buildings, very close together with the image of the blue sky in the background and shadows clinging to the side of the buildings. The buildings seem to tower over the city and give off an intimidating feel to the viewer. This wide shot gives off the impression that the atmosphere for the film will be ominous and thrilling and we will feel the loss of power from the main characters when they are trapped.
Camera Movement
There is very little camera movement in the opening of Panic Room. The camera only moves occasionally when it is showing the scenery in the shot a little more. It either moves in a circular motion or left/right. but apart from that, the camera is completely still while the city moves below it.
A good example of camera movement in the opening sequence is when the camera moves from right to left over some credits. We are able to see from this the busy city that is surrounding the tall building in the middle, which gives the viewers a uncomfortable feeling because we can see that even though the city is busy, it feels dull, desolate and lonely. It shows that even though the film is set in this busy city, the characters feel like they have no one and they're helpless.
The tone of the opening to Panic Room differs a lot. From the images of the city (moving cars, lots of open space) we get the impression that the film won't be unhappy, scaring or thrilling but then we are put off by the stillness of the credits, the boldness of them and the colour of them. In my opinion, the credits confuse the viewer by contrasting with the images in the opening. The dark, low tuned music also does this, so the tone of the opening differs depending on how the viewer sees it. The tone I get from the opening is a still, serious tone, which I think is the tone that was meant to be captured.
The mood of the opening is an eerie, ominous atmosphere. The music especially adds to this feeling with its differing paces and tunes. I think the credits, once again, create this atmosphere the most with the stillness of them. The credits hover in mid air over the city and the chalk colour of them gives us a cold atmosphere. The tall buildings in the city gives off the mood of loneliness. They seem to take over the city and make you feel like even if this big world, it is hard to be seen because there is so much going on.
Overall, the tone and mood of the opening is created with the video clips of the city, the differing music, the hovering, eerie credits coloured like chalk and the tall stand alone buildings that seem to smother the city.
The film I have chosen is Panic Room.
I feel that this opening reflects the atmosphere and idea of the film really well. The opening is video clips of New York City with credits sprawled across buildings.
This fits into the film as, like I said before, it had the same atmosphere and captures the idea of the film. The film is set in New York City so that is why the video clips are of the city. It gives the idea of space and freedom which contrasts with the situation in the film - being trapped and basically held hostage in a panic room. The text, that is the credits, hangs in the air over the buildings and gives off an eerie feeling because of the moving cars below and the fast paced city surrounding the text. The positioning and stillness of the credits makes you think why they are so still while everything around them is moving. The music also captures this eerie feeling with low tones that change in pace.
This opening appealed to me because of the contrasting ideas between the film and the opening. I found it interesting how they created it this way. I also really enjoy the film and the suspense that goes on.
The film opening can be watched HERE.
