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.
Most of the shots in the opening sequence have no camera movement. This is very effective as we are more focused on the surroundings rather than the camera moving and we are able to get a better feel of the set. One example is a shot that shows tall buildings in the background and foreground, as well as busy roads with cars packed on them and people walking on the street. Large signs and advertisements are plastered over buildings, including a big poster of a happy couple laughing and hugging. The camera is still while focusing on this shot and with the city moves below it with lots of movement and action going on. This, once again, shows how easy it is to get lost and forgotten in the city. I think the large poster of the happy couple also shows how the two main characters in the film are feeling completely opposite. They're terrified and nervous unlike the people on this poster.
Fantastic description of the camera shots and movements used in this scene: you have also explained well how these camera angles/ shots/ movements link to the film as a whole, the characters and the ideas in the film! I would also love to hear how you think this technique affects the viewer and relates to how people might feel in general in the society of the time the film was made. Good stuff.
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