Analysis of Student Film Opening

Mise en Scene: The Lighting used is very dull which makes the character come across as quite harsh and dreary. It sets the mysterious tone of the opening scene, as the same lighting is used throughout. The Dull lighting also makes the room feel very cold. The opening scene is Set in a Public Bathroom which indicates to the audience that the character is not in its comfort zone. A Prop that is used is a Significant Butchers Knife which was also used in the Film Physco. This is a form of Intertextuality. Both Actors are wearing Black and White Suits which shows that they may be from a high status or from a high status job as they have to dress Smart. This also relates to Binary Oppositions as the suits are contrast in colour, Black - White which could represent the mixture of the characters personalities (The Characters could both have Dark Sides). The body language of the main character is quite timid as he isn't standing upright, He has a slight hunch back which shows that he thinks that people are watching him. He's constantly looking around which reinforces his guilt. This shows that he has done something that he regrets and is now realising the consequences of his actions.

Editing: Transitions are used from the very beginning of this Student Film Opening as it shows the Credits. The Opening Credits Fades in and out throughout. The Film title fades in and out which emphasises the title and sets the theme for the opening scene, as the dark colours are used during the fade in and out. This indicates to the audience that something bad may of happened. A Match cut is used when the Murderer drops the knife, We then see the close up of the knife on the floor. The close up puts a emphasis on the action that has happened and the weapon that was used. A Flashback is used when the Murderer goes towards the sink and starts washing his hands. As he looks into the mirror it suddenly flashes and shows the action when he has the knife behind the victim. This shows that the character may be feeling guilty about the situation and what has just happened, therefore he is thinking about it and he can't get it out of his head. The sound  of a Man shouting is used when the flashback happens therefore a Sound Bridge is used to link these two scenes together. This makes the audience refer to the victim everytime they hear that sound made throughout the scene.

Camera: The first time that the audience see a character it is in a Extreme Close Up. This only reveals the eyes of the character and creates tension for the audience as they want to see the full character being shown. When the Camera focuses on the Dead Victim it is a High Angle shot which is looking down on him. This emphasises the innocence of the victim and makes the audience feel more of a sense of sympathy towards the character. The camera also uses a High Angle Shot when focused on the Murderer which creates mixed emotions or the audience as it shows this character as quite Vulnerable. It also may make the audience wonder whether the murder was intentional or not. A Medium shot is used when the Murderer grabs the Mop so he could get rid of any remains shown from his act of Murder. The Medium shot allows the audience to see the whole location where its being filmed therefore we gather up the feel of the are where the murder took place. A Pan is used which swivels to the left after the extreme close up is showed of the murderer. The Pan takes the audience from the murderer, to the murderers weapon the to the victim therefore the audience automatically thinks that this character killed him with this specific weapon/knife. The pan allows the audience to gather up there thoughts on the situation and get a wide view of it. 

Sound: Non Diegetic sound is used at the beginning of the opening scene when the opening credits are being introduced. The sound used reinforces the Genre of the Film as it's spooky sound therefore the audience get a feel of either Thriller or Horror ?. After the Film Title is shown to the audience A Motif is used that introduces the character. The sound of dripping water is played very low then it increases as it gets closer to the character being shown on screen. There is also a built up shout which increases the same time as the dripping water therefore it explodes with sound once the character is introduced. This indicates the audience that the character must feel like screaming inside and there is a built up of tension being shown by the character. Throughout Non Diegetic sound is used which is orchestral scores. This sets the mood for the audience and reinforces the amount of character emotions. The Sound effect of the dripping Water is played when focused on the 'Dead Man' which conveys the it may be that characters blood that is dripping. This reinforces the action of Murder taken place. Diegetic sound is used when the murderer drops the knife, the knife rattles on the floor. This reinforces the act of violence and what it may of sounded like to kill an individual. Dialogue was used at the end of the scene where the Murderer states what he has done, which revealed more about the character to the audience and created a storyline.