Crime Thriller: Reservoir Dogs
Total running time for opening sequence: 2 min 39 secs
This opening sequence makes use of the following generic opening sequence conventions:
Induction to the character type: sitting around table/ walking as a group.
Introduction to theme tune with name of director.
Indication of place/ location: Long shot of street/Wide shot of cafe
The films title: Reservoir Dogs
Details of cast and crew: Costume Designer etc
Enigma: Random guy covered in blood with random driver
Information on genre: Costume, props, location, character and title
This opening sequence makes use of the following sub genre conventions:
Mise en scene:
Characters costume: dressed in suits indicates either police force or traditional gang culture.
Props: Money, car, shades and blood which are associated with crime/criminal behaviour.
Camera Techniques:
Long shots of group of men walking together, again could be associated as a gang.
Close up of individual characters, emphasis on body language and props
Medium shot: One character bleeding in the back seat of a car
Editing Techniques:
Short shot duration, when introducing individual characters and when the other character is bleeding in the back seat
Cut transitions throughout the opening sequence
Fade to black from cafe scene to walking scene: indication of change of location.
Sound and Music:
Voiceover narration: transition from cafe scene to walking scene
Music: none diegetic fast paced which ran parallel with the visuals to illustrate action which may about to happen and urgency in the groups body language.
Dialogue: at the beginning discussion about money, also at the end communication between bleeding character and driver.
TASK:
Pick two opening sequences which are within the same genre and analyse in terms of generic opening sequence conventions and sub genre conventions.
What makes the sequence look like an opening?
What sub genre conventions have been used?
You can use the notes above on Reservoir Dogs to help you illustrate your point.
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