Taxi Driver
The opening of taxi driver is a narrative opening. Here in the opening scene we are introduced to the main character .
The first title we see is the production ident. we then see the name of the first actor; Robert De Niro. This shows us that Rober De Niro is a really famous actor and is used as a key selling point. We then see the title of the film. We then see another production ident. After that, we see names of other actors Next we see names of the crew such as music by, film editors, make up, D.O.P, finishing with the writer, producer and then the director.
When the camera is on the main character it's only ever an extreme close up. This adds suspense and tension as it is giving no clues whatsoever about who he is or what he does. The extreme close ups also
suggest that the main character is mysterious or somewhat secretive.
We get a clear idea where the film is set due to the first scene being of a yellow taxi. This implies that the film is set in NYC. However we only get a slight glimpse of the actual surroundings when there is a point of view shot looking out of the windscreen when De Niro is driving. The point of view shot through the windscreen then turns into slow motion and everything looking out is blurred. What gets blurred looks like a rough urban city.
The music is changes throughout. It changes from a hard sounding, fast tempo sound to a soft, slow tempo sound all the time, back and forth. This change in sound makes the mood seem suspicious and filled with tension and suspense as nobody knows what the outcome will be. It also reflects the nature of the film, that it's going to be very unpredictable.
The lighting is very dark throughout the opening scene. This refers back to when I mentioned about the mood of the film. It makes the mood of the film seem suspicious and filled with tension and suspense. The dark lighting also makes the film seem spooky and shows signs of danger.
Die Another Day
The opening of Die Another Day is very unique. It combines a narrative opening with a stylised opening.
The first tile we see is of the production ident. we then see the name of the first actor; Pierce Brosnan. Like in Taxi Driver, Pierce Brosnan is used as a selling point. We then see the title of the film along with the second actor (actress). After that, we then start seeing other actors staring in the film. Next, we see the names of the crew such as production executive, production managers, make up, special effects, wardrobe, D.O.P, casting, music by, co producer, executive producer and finally ending with the writer, producer and then the director.
This opening starts with a clear narrative opening. But as the opening scene goes on it changes into a styled opening. Everything turns animated with people being ice and even fire. Also a lot of it is in slow motion once everything turn animated.
When the animated opening scene gets nearer to the end it blends into one with the clear narrative opening scene, showing actual scenes that go along with the story.
This opening starts with a clear narrative opening. But as the opening scene goes on it changes into a styled opening. Everything turns animated with people being ice and even fire. Also a lot of it is in slow motion once everything turn animated.
When the animated opening scene gets nearer to the end it blends into one with the clear narrative opening scene, showing actual scenes that go along with the story.
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