This is the opening sequence from the film 'Memento'. This opening sequence reveals certain clues and hints which helps makes the audience ask questions. For example, who is the man? why did the the man get shot? where are they? why did he take a photo? An opening sequence makes the audience ask questions as they want the audience to watch on.
The opening sequence shows a fully-focused photograph then the hand, which is holding this photograph, shakes which results in the photograph becoming less focused and more distorted.
Next, we see that same photograph ejecting into a camera, which is strange as photographs usually eject out of cameras this indicates that the opening sequence is non-linear, therefore backwards. Next, we see the man take the photo and then we see a shot of blood flowing backwards, then a close up of a bullet and then a pair of glasses this creates an image of the character. Next we see a a man lying on the floor surrounded by blood and then the man holding the gun towards the body and then shooting him.
The opening sequence includes a non-digetic soundtrack, the music is a repetitive, drawn-out, violin piece which makes me feel upset. It connotes the idea of sorrow and death. It creates suspense and an eery atmosphere and is played throughout, until the gunshot. The music creates an idea of death as it has the same tone throughout which is low and quiet. This opening sequence also uses digetic sound to exaggerate certain sections,the shuffling of the paper at the beginning, the ejection of the photograph within the camera and the flash of the camera. The little sound makes the audience feel as if they are there.
This opening sequence has a good use of cinematography. At the beginning, a close up is used to show exactly what the photograph which immediately creates an idea of the story. Close ups are also used to show the objects which could reflect a characters personality. Close-ups help reveal the little detail which can help the audience understand the film more.
This opening sequence also has a good use of Mise-en-scene. Firstly, a photography is used which slowly fades to a tinge of dark yellow. Next a single black bullet lying on the floor, next a pair of glasses lying upside down against the floor and then a gun which gets dragged to the mans hand. The setting is dark and dull, the walls are cracked which could suggest an abandoned place. It looks confined which could imply it is an imprisonment which reinforces the theme.
The man is wearing a shirt and long coat which could show he is sophisticated and hard-working. However, he has blood on his face which could suggest struggle and violence.
The editing within this opening sequence is well-constructed. the title of 'memento' fades into the first clip which is very effective. The first shot of the hand shaking the photograph is a long shot which could suggest the photograph itself took a long period of time to develop. In contrast, the cuts after are of a short duration. Towards the climax, duration of the clips speed up which could represent how the man felt, stressed.
The titles are blue which creates sadness. The title 'Memento' has separation between each letter which suggests there are different and seperate stories but they all link to one another. The titles are block, serif capitals which makes the story more serious.
