Crime Thriller Opening Sequence Analysis

Memento - Crime Thriller

The opening sequence to Memento uses generic conventions to show us that it is an introduction to the film. We are introduced to the main character as soon as the opening sequence starts, and he is introduced just after we hear a gun shot. We can then see the character who gets shot laying on the floor, with blood all around him. We then see a series of enigmas, one being a close up of a camera which could suggest to us that this is an important part of the film.  Details of the cast and crew and directors etc are shown, all in front of the background of the picture that the man took. By having the picture shown throughout, it makes the audience engage in the film, and wonder why the picture is such a big part of the narrative. The title of the film, Memento is then shown, again over the picture, but this time, we are able to see what the picture is of. The names of top billing actors are then shown. 


The opening sequence also uses specific sub genre conventions to show the crime sub genre in terms of the four micro areas. 
Camerawork: There are many close ups of certain items throughout the opening sequence. This suggests to the audience these items will have a role throughout the rest of the film. The close up of the camera could suggest crime, as the thing the man is taking a photo of is of another man he has shot. A low angle was used after he had shot the man, to show he is now superior to the other man. This leads the audience to wonder why he shot him, and what he has done wrong. Throughout the rest of the opening sequence, we see a close up of the photograph. This could be associated with crime because of what is on the photo; a dead man.
Mis en scene: The location in which the scene is set looks like an abandoned room, maybe in a warehouse or someplace similar, because of the ripped up walls and the darkness of the room. This is suggesting crime to the audience as it looks as if no one would be around, and so it would be the perfect place for crime to happen. There are props used when the man gets shot and falls to the ground. We see his glasses have fallen off and have blood on the rim, which is associated with crime. There is also a gun used, with a empty bullet hitting the floor to show that a crime has taken place.
Editing: Short shot duration has been used at the beginning of the sequence when the man shoots the other man to the floor. This has been used to create urgency to the audience just as the crime has taken place, and make them anxious for what he is going to do next. 
Sound: There is diagetic sound at the beginning of the clip of the man shouting and the gunshot. A non diagetic soundtrack begins to play as the man looks at the man lying on the floor. It starts off quite quiet and slow, and then builds up and adds more tension as the picture is made more clear to the audience, and is at a peak when the title is shown. 


I can tell that this sequence is an opening sequence to the film as there are credits shown, such as director, editor and members of the cast and crew. The opening does not give away what is going to happen in the rest of the film, it just gets the audience engaged and wanting to watch more. We can also tell that the film is about to start by the title being shown.