AS Film Studies
American Film
Narrative: Opening Sequences
Narrative – The events in a story, and the way in which those events are communicated
How important are the opening sequences of your chosen films?
The two American films I am studying are Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott (2004) and The Hunger Games, directed
by Gary Ross (2012). These two films are linked because they both explore the use of violence as entertainment.
What films?
The openings of sequences of these films are very important. They introduce both set the context of the films, define
the protagonists and antagonists, and establish a sense of narrative equilibrium.
What will you
analyse?
The use of title captions at the start of both films is important. In Gladiator, text is used to quickly establish the
context of the narrative. The audience are told that the film is set during the time of the Roman Empire, and a time of
war. This creates a sense of grandeur, and perhaps connotes to the audience that the story events is based on real
events, as the tone is sincere and factual, like a documentary. This makes the film more thrilling, as it appears more
realistic.
First analysis:
Contexts Gladiator
The Hunger Games also makes use of title captions. This is important to the opening sequence because…
First analysis:
Contexts –
Hunger Games
In Gladiator, the protagonist or ‘hero’ of the text is Maximus. The opening sequence is important as it positions the
audience to support him and relate to him. An opening close-up of his hand reveals a wedding ring that connotes
marriage and therefore family life. Audiences are likely to trust a man who has children and a family. Also, the
camera tracks his hand as it brushes gently through a field of corn. This connotes gentleness and a sense of nature.
These qualities suggest a sense of peace and calm which also make him trustworthy. Diegetic sound of children’s
laughter can be heard amidst calm, soulful non-diegetic chanting. This further connotes the sense of a happy family,
although the distant and distorted sound connotes the idea that Maximus is thinking or dreaming of his children,
rather than being present with them. Finally, the warm brown and yellow colours and soft focus create a dream-like
atmosphere that is comforting and again suggests that Maximus is a relatable, peaceful man.
Second analysis:
Protagonists,
Gladiator
In The Hunger Games, the protagonist is Katniss Everdeen. Similar to Gladiator, opening sequence is important as it
positions the audience to support her, too.
Second analysis:
Protagonists,
Hunger Games
….would go on to complete the analysis as defined in BOX 2: opening sequence important to introduce antagonists
and to establish equilibrium