PowerPoint Presentation

Star WarsOpening scene analysis

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes1. Low Angle shot No Camera Movement In this shot we see the distributor, 20th Century Fox. Their logo is represented as a massive golden monument complete with searching flood lights - that looks bigger because of the low angle shot. There is a triumphant fanfare playing. This makes the audience feel that they are about to see a really important film that has cost a lot of money to make.2. Text on ScreenIn this shot we see film production company, Lucasfilm Limited in bright green font against a black background. There is no sound or movement. This creates a stark contrast to the previous shot, and lets the audience know that the film is about to begin.

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes3. Text on screenThe change to blue font, aligned to the left as if written as the first sentence in a book, and in lower case, creates the sense that a story is about to begin. The repetition of the word far enacts the audience gratification of escapism. The blue font suggests a tone of wistfulness, and the lack of sound increases the tension. 4. Text on screen zoom out from centreThe famous Star Wars logo zooms out from the centre, coupled with the signature John Williams soundtrack. The yellow title is the ultimate genre signifier of a space opera connoting that this is essentially a war in the stars. We also see the stars in the background. The whole effect is to create a grand opening to make the audience feel as though they are watching something monumental.

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes4. Scrolling text on screen

As the signature Star Wars Theme continues to play, the audience is given the background to the story through the use of scrolling text. The scrolling text features many powerful nouns such as battle, rebel spies and freedom which grab the audiences attention. There are also powerful verbs such as pursued, races and steal, suggesting that this will be a film that is full of action.

Perhaps the most important feature of this scene is the way in which the most important characters, the protagonists and antagonists, are written in upper case capitals to emphasise the conflict which is central to the narrative. This sequence makes it clear that this is a battle between forces of good and evil.

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes6. Shot of space panning downThis shot of empty space almost acts as a transition, except that there is no cut. The emptiness of the mise en scene allows the audience to have respite from the huge amount of information that they have taken in at the beginning of the sequence.7. Establishing shot No camera movementThis shot shows the audience the vastness of the galaxy in which the action takes place. As the camera pans down, we see three planets at varying levels of proximity to the camera. This gives an audience a sense of the scale of the Star Wars galaxy.

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes8. Low Angle shot No camera movementThe binary opposition between rebels (protagonists) and empire (antagonists) is shown very clearly in this shot with the contrast of size between the two ships. This is emphasised by the framing and low angle perspective. This engages the audience because it makes them feel that it will be a huge struggle for the rebels to overcome the empire. 9. Extreme Long Shot No camera movementThe camera cuts to a closer vantage point, allowing the audience to empathise more with rebels (as they are in closer detail) , and get more of an idea of the danger that they are in, through seeing lasers, and the speed of the chase.

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes10. Two-shot tracking backwardsThe camera cuts to two of the main characters, the droids C3PO and R2D2. C3PO has a human shape and so his body language shows fear and surprise as the ship they are on is attacked. The use of the two shot shows the audience straight away that these two characters are friends. The white background shows a stark contrast to the blackness of space in the preceding shots. This is attention-grabbing for the audience and additionally keeps up the pace of the narrative.11. Close-up tracking backwardsThe continual tracking backwards adds urgency to the scene, while the close up shot allows the audience to get a closer look at R2D2 as he speaks (bleeps).

Camera Angle Camera Movement Transition Lighting Sound Mise En Scene Verbal codes10. Over the shoulder shotWe then see the rebels getting into position to meet the incoming imperial troops who have captured the rebel ship. The use of the over-the-shoulder shot helps us empathise with the rebels and see them as the heroes. The focal point of the shot is the door at the end of the corridor and this builds suspense for the audience as they wonder what is going to come through it.ConclusionThe opening three minutes of Star Wars is an extremely well constructed sequence that engages the audience through the use of music, camera shots and special effects. Most importantly, the sequence shows the audience who the heroes and villains are, and sets up the conflict very well for the rest of the film.