Opening Sequence's (Visual)

Chapter Five:

"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live."

 

To Kill A Mockingbird

The first shot is of an old box being opened which it zooms in on to reveal what is inside, there are two dolls- one with and one without clothes, a pocket watch, some keys and other child’s items such as crayons and marbles. This is shot in black and white which connotes the film is old and the box belongs to a child. A hand then reaches into the box to take a piece of chalk out of the box. The hand could be an adult’s or child’s.  The camera then  moves across several of the items in the box such as the watch and some old coins. This could signify items from the past and that the box is full of memories.

The camera then pans across items while directors and actors names are screened. As another item is removed from the box, a marble rolls free and the camera follows it rolling in and out of the other items in the box. This could represent disturbance later on in the film.

The hand is drawing shapes on paper with the black crayon or chalk. This shows a child drawing, the fact the child is drawing in black may hint a dark plot.

The camera then pans across several items again and the marbles reappear. While they are in focus the background is blurred. The item which was blurred – a whistle- then comes into focus and the panning pauses. The screen names and important makers of the film are still showing around the items.  It then shows the hand, which has become evident it’s a child’s, colouring in again. This connotes the child is content which what he or she is doing.

The crayon or chalk is after thrown back into the box with the rest of the items and toys. The drawing is shown again and you can hear faint laughter in the background when suddenly the picture is ripped and the middle is missing from the drawing. This signifies distress and we no longer believe the child is happy.

Breakfast At Tiffany's

The opening scene begins with a long shot of New York and an old yellow cab driving in the direction of the viewer. It stops outside Tiffany and Co. and the character of Audrey Hepburn steps out wearing a long formal black dress. This connotes a high class lady who has lots of money has pulled up outside an expensive jewellery store presumably ready to buy something.  While admiring the jewellery from the window she opens a bag to reveal a pastry and coffee. The idea of her eating and drinking this particular food signifies she is eating breakfast and it is early in the morning because the area is almost empty.  She stops at the next window, repeats and moves on. We are now aware she is not going to buy anything. The lights in the store re off so this could mean it’s not open.

Throughout all of this, several names are being displayed on the screen and we are reminded this is an opening sequence, since there is no script or speaking, only music.

 A wide long shot is filmed of the woman walking away and putting some rubbish in the bin. She walks slowly so this shows she is in no hurry.