How does the filmmaker establish character, genre and narrative in the opening?
The filmmaker uses mise-en-scene and a variety of camera shots, editing techniques and sounds to establish character, genre and narrative in the opening.
The filmmaker uses credits and titles in the film over a black background to establish the actors and the name of the film. The last title dissolves into the first camera shot. The first camera shot is a birds-eye view shot, which establishes the setting. The characters live in a small town with very few residents. An old women (Mrs. Wilberforce) is presented to the audience. There is a score of jingles, which represent the theme of that particular day. All the villagers are happy and positive. The characters costume gives the impression that the film is set in the past a long time ago because that fashion no longer exists in modern day. The Lighting is bright to symbolize the sunny day and the positive fever.
There is a High angle shot of Mrs. Wilberforce. This implies that Mrs. Wilberforce is just an ordinary woman who is going about her everyday events. However the dialogue gives a more ironic view towards Mrs. Wilberforce. Everyone on the street stops to greet her which suggests that she is well respected and has a high status in their community. There is a diegetic sound of the a baby crying in response to Mrs. Wilberforce’s presence as she approaches the police station which unsettles the mood.
There is an over the shoulder shot of the police officer signaling that Mrs. Wilberforce is approaching which suggests that this is a routine. From there it quickly cuts to a establishing shot of the officers colleagues. The shot establishes the environment of the police station and the other police officers on there typewriters and there is diegetic sound of the typing of the typewriter.
There is an action match of Mrs. Wilberforce handing a bag that she got from her home to The Superintendent. This shows that Mrs. Wilberforce is a kind and generous person. There is a shot reverse shot Mrs. Wilberforce and the Superintendent talking. The conversation continues as the camera pans with there movement towards the exit of the police station into a two man shot. This implies that there conversation is of a lot of importance.
The lighting darkens and there is a score of thunder which represents the change ion weather and mood. As Mrs. Wilberforce Heads home she stops at a stall. There is a shadow in the frame. This is to move the attention towards the shadow, which is linked the dark mood. There is a long shot of Mrs. Wilberforce being followed by the mysterious character and there is a score of scary background music which anticipates future events.
The tension grows, as there are more shadows in the frame and the diegetic sound o f the train. The anticipation and tension increase as Mrs. Wilberforce approaches the door. The door opens and the facial expression on the mysterious character is positive but this is a false expression to baffle Mrs. Wilberforce and the mysterious characters dialogue sounds devious.
The audience are now aware that he has bad intensions.
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