homework ting

Damien Crosby
Media AS
My task is to analyze the micro and macro elements of an opening sequence, preferably one which relates to which genre i wish to analyze in my project. The opening sequence i have chosen to look at is Reservoir Dogs (1992, Quentin Tarentino). The plot is a simple jewellery heist gone wrong between thieves who know themselves only by there “colour”. And as they try to figure out what went wrong, they each become paranoid to one of the gang being a police informer. The sequence starts with a ongoing conversation as the production company logo appears. The camera then cuts to a conversation between an all male cast , all in suits except one. The camera moves slowly as the conversation between the cast ensues, moving in a circle around the table, only speeding up to cut between sharp quick sayings from members of the cast. The scene is an american diner where they are drinking coffee and smoking cigars and ciggarettes. The diner seems quite small and there are 8 cast members sitting around one table. The fact 7 of the 8 members are in suits suggest they have a high paying job, but in this case they are known as gangsters and this is what enables them to wear the suits, and shades. The sound is diagetic as the scene opens as we can hear the conversation between the cast. The camera shots are pretty basic, many close ups and extreme close ups , a couple of establishing shots to show where they are and what they are wearing. The facial expression and the personality of the character is what tarintino is trying to acheieve here though, as at this moment we know not much else about them. Except that one of them doesnt believe in tipping waitresses. As they exit the diner, there is a fade into a dark screen and the narrative begins. It is a dj introducing a song, “Little Green Bag”. the next shot is what we believe is outside the diner as the narrative will follow on from the first scene. The men are walking down the road in slow motion, and the song is the only sound we can hear, and it is non diagetic in this case. The shot shows a side on view of the cast walking, but as each character is introduced the shot becomes a face on close up of the character, with credits underneath representing that this person is playing this character. The slow motion effect entwined with the song promotes the fact that they are cool and relaxed people, with no fear. The lighting at this point is natural as the sun is out and do not need to highlight anything furthermore, as the effect the sun gives on the shades makes it understandable for them to be wearing the shades also. After all cast members have been introduced, a camerashot of them from behind established them as a group and then the credits say “are” , then cuts to a large yellow font of “Reservoir Dogs” the title of the film but tells us that this group are the Reservoir Dogs. The sequence then ends and in the common tarentino style the ending credits listing camerawork cast lighting sound makeup direction etc, are played at the beginning, before the next scene.

Damien crosby.