Assessment Azmain

Assessment

How do the filmmakers establish character, genre, and narrative in the opening.

Write about:

·      Camera

·      Editing

·      Sound

·      Mise-en-scene

From the opening of the film, the filmmakers have clearly established the production company through the titles of the film; ‘Mandalay Entertainment’. Titles of the characters involved are also shown. They also establish associate production companies who go by the name of ‘A Baltimore Pictures’ and ‘Mark Johnson Production’. The opening also shows the people behind the making of the film, ranging from the casting, executive music producers, costume designers, editors, production designers, director of photography and executive producers. We also find out that it is based on a book by Joseph D. Pistone and it is based on a true story. The soundtrack is a violin playing, the tune in which it plays in could connote death as it sounds like the type of music played at funerals.

An eye level shot of a mans eyes is shown and then he slowly looks up and stares for a while which connotes he is paying close attention to someone or something. This is then followed with a series of still picture shots of what could be perceived as the ‘main characters’. The close up shots of Al Pacino and Jonny Depp establish the main characters of the film. Bust shots of Al Pacino are illustrated and this could give off an idea that the film may be gang related as he is known to be in films of that genre. He is also wearing a leather jacket which is typically worn by villains in thrillers which emphasize their build, therefore their power. An establishing shot of a building is shown and then the inside of it is shown straight after which tells the audience that the next scene of the film will be in that building, which is a bar from which we can gather from the bottles and the dim lighting inside. The still pictures are presented in fast-cuts which may present a sense of chaos or fast movement. They may also suggest that the people who are in the still pictures are the main characters in the film and have some sort of significance.

The still pictures then transition into a video with a slow dissolving effect. It starts off with an eye level shot of Jonny Depp, then it cuts to a group shot of Al Pacino and his friends. Al Pacino seems to be arguing with his friend about which car is better, a Lincoln or a Cadillac. This introduces the idea of conflict and mat foreshadow future conflicts between him and his friends as the play forges on. Pacino then exchanges with another friend and the exchange is demonstrated through over the shoulder shots. An establishment of the date is made is the date is presented in a title at the bottom of the screen while Pacino and his friend are arguing. The loudness of the dialogue also presents a form of chaos. Pacino and Depp then make eye contact, but then Depp looks away. Pacino asks his friend who Depp is which shows that Pacino wants to know more about him and this gives Depp significance as a character. Depp then looks through an object that has reflecting capabilities and sees Pacino and co. looking at him and talking about him. He studies what they are saying and this portrays that he is in the bar with a purpose as he examines Pacino without Pacino knowing that he knows him in some way, this creates dramatic irony as the audience as well as Depp know something that Pacino doesn’t. His facial expression shows that he is fully aware of the situation that he is being talked about.

It could be argued that the eye contact between Pacino and Depp is Depp’s cue to leave as he leaves shortly after, maybe because he doesn’t want to give too much away. This is a cut from the interior of the bar to the exterior of the bar. A long shot of Depp is then presented of him leaving the bar, through the point of view of a camera. A camera is shown taking multiple pictures of Depp, which may suggest many things. It could suggest that he is a criminal and the police are keeping an eye on him or it could suggest that someone else is keeping an eye on his every movement for whatever reason that we are not yet to establish. Depp is shown wearing a long jacket, which could signify he is a gangster as it gives off that stereotypical sense of what gangsters dress like.

From the opening of the film, as the audience, we can gather that the genre may be of thriller. This is because the soundtrack, and the connotations which the characters give off, due to their attire, and the way that they act. Sub-genres of the film could be of crime thriller, as there is a specific focus on what would seem to be ‘criminals’. The props used also give off implications, such as the cigar. The cigar may connote Pacino’s rebellious way of life.