Kill Bill opening scene - Camera Shots



The shot begins with just darkness, the audience not being able to see anything, just able to hear the sound of Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman) panting in distress, along with the footsteps of Bill (David Carradine), although we don't know that it's Bill until later on  in the scene. The sound of the footsteps create an eeriness about the scene. It then cuts to an extreme close-up of Beatrix's face and part of a veil which straight away tells us that she is a bride. She is also covered in blood, which obviously lets us know that there has been some act of violence previously that we didn't see. The sound of the footsteps get louder, indicating that someone is walking towards her. It then translates very quickly to another extreme close-up, but this time of the feet that we can hear. The camera tracks the feet as they walk across the floor. It cuts back to the extreme close-up of Beatrix's face, in which her eyes change focus to be looking directly above her, implying that whoever is there is now standing over her. The main part of this scene happens now, when we see the handkerchief with the name Bill embroidered on it, wiping the blood of her face. This sets the entire plot to film, as we become aware it is Bill that has done this to her. In the final shot we can hear a gun being cocked,  then the sound of a gunshot and a splash of blood. The scene is cut very quickly so we don't know whose blood it is, and whether anyone was shot. The entire scene is shot in black and white,  to imply that this was a long time ago.

Film-making Techniques.

The opening scene to the war film Saving Private Ryan.




I think this opening scene is very moving. The shot of the shaking hand at the beginning is very effective, as it gives an insight into how the men may be feeling. The instant death that is shown as soon the door to the boat opens, has a strong impact, as it shows the reality of war, rather then 'sugar coating' it as some films may do. I especially like the clips of the men underwater, as although the sound if muffled, to give the impression that you are really underwater , the extremity of the situation is clear. Also, the weather conditions relate the mood of the scene, solemn and grey. Some of the filming seems quite chaotic, again, relating to what is going on in the scene.  I think the explosions and gunshots are extremely realistic, and really allow the viewer to gain an understanding of what it would be like to be there. The sound goes muted towards to end, demonstrating what was happening at the time, as the main character had lost his hearing due to the explosions, I really like this idea. I think the most moving part of the scene is when the soldier is looking for his arm which had been blown off, as it shows the severity of some of the injuries they had to cope with. Overall, this scene gives a wide idea of what the film itself is going to be like, and has a huge impact on the viewer.

Se7en

The opening scene to the horror film Se7en



This opening scene fits its genre of horror in that, the music used is quite eery as is the writing chosen for the credits. The writing looks as though it has been roughly written, almost childlike , implying impatience or insanity. I really like the closeness of the shots as it doesnt allow you to get the whole picture, relating to the film in that you don't completely understand it until the very end. I also like the way the clips are moved into one another, and the flickering makes it feel quite unsettling, and is similar to the old film reels. Overall, I think this opening gives a strong first impression of the film, and shows the nature of it effectively.

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