Research on film openings

The Dark Knight Rises



 The Dark Knight Rises is a fantastic film with a great opening.

The openning scene uses editing techniques such as; cut in- cut away, cut (shot reverse shot), and eyeline match.

Editing

• Cut in-cut away: this is where the camera shows the main action in a shot from a distance and then it is cut into the main action. In this film there is an example of this right at the beginning: The car is driving and there is a long shot from behind it, then it cuts to inside the car and a shot of the driver. This is used at the beginning of this film to show the main action and then to introduce to the main character who is hooded and portrayed as a victim (0:00-0:04).
• Eyeline match: this is where you see the character looking at something, then it cuts to what the character was looking at. This happens in the opening scene where the CIA man is stood in front of the plane looking at the car driving up to it. This helps create emotions with the character and makes the audience feel like they are there. In addition the camera zooms in on his face showing his emotions (0:04-0:10).
• Cut (shot reverse shot): this happens when the CIA man and the henchman are having a conversation before getting on the plane. It cuts from a close up of one character to another (0:12-0:32).

Lighting

The lighting used in the opening looks like all natural light. Pathetic fallacy applies to the opening scene. The cloudiness and darkness makes the scene feel eery and suggest that something bad will happen.

Costume
Bane and his henchman all wear dark clothes illustrating there evil. The CIA agent wears a suit portraying his authority and the army men wear army uniform showing that they work for America.











Camerawork

The scene starts with a long shot from behind the vehicle, this shows that the vehicle is important and sets the scene. Then it cuts in then cuts away inside the car; this introduces the audience to some characters. Then there is a full shot of the CIA agent but it zooms into the mans face to show his emotions. Then there is a few over the shoulder shots when the CIA man has a conversation with Bane's Henchman outside the plane. This agrees with the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot is used. When we see the plane flying this is a establishing shot. These are often used at the start of a new scenery; this is because it sets the scene and it shows the audience where the main action will take place. In this specific scene it is on board a plane. It then cuts in-cuts away onto the plane. On the plane there is 2 main shots: a high and low angle shot. The high angle shots are of the CIA agent threatening the other henchman: this is illustrating his weakness and his lack of power even though he has as powerful status. On the other hand, the Low angle shot is of Bane. This portrays his power and shows his dominance in the scene.

Here is the trailer to "The Dark Knight Rises"