Opening Sequence Analysis – The Purge

Directed By James Demonaco

Overview

The Opening title sequence to ‘the Purge’ immediately gives the audience an insight into what the film is about through narrative enigma.

It is cleverly made and uniquely directed by James Demonaco who uses footage from CCTV cameras. This makes the audience feel more on edge as they are witnessing something that cannot be stopped, and makes it appear more realistic.

The tone of the film is immediately set as a horror/thriller because of the violent attacks that are shown on the screen. It gives the audience an insight into what the film is about, and the violence that is about the happen.

The camera follows a number of deaths and assaults, each shown in a different shot. This opening sequence is effective at setting the tone of a thriller/horror and I will try to find the genre quickly in my own sequence.

Genre

It is clear from the mise en scene that this opening sequence sets the mood for a thriller/horror due to the violent acts of crime such as murder that we see.

The jump/cut editing also creates a fast paced sequence, making the audience feel on edge and fitting with the thriller genre.

It is clear from the mixed contrast and dark colours that the film is going to be sinister, and therefore the target audience would probably be young adults.

Institutions

The Purge is presented by Universal Pictures and produced by Platinum Dunes/Blumhouse/Why Not.

Mise en Scene The violent acts that occur on screen in this opening sequence

immediately depicts the film as a thriller/horror.

The weapons that are visible also link closely to these genres such as guns and axes.

All of the characters that are shown in the opening sequence are either participating in violent acts of crime or victims of it. This immediately sets the mood of the film and lets the audience know what they are in store .

Mise en scene through setting is also evident through the use of smashed up cars and burning fires.

Themes and Typography The typography used in the opening sequence stands out against the dimly lit

background through the bright white lettering.

The use of the bright white colour suggest purity and innocence, strongly contrasting with what we are seeing on screen. This could perhaps suggest the danger even the pure characters are in.

We often see two credits for characters appear at the same time. This could perhaps suggest a stand off, foreshadowing the storylines of characters later on in the film.

The shots are often dimly lit and black and whit with a high contrast. This reinforces the CCTV footage effect, and gives the audience a more edgier setting.

Music By Nathan Whitehead The music in this opening sequence is what makes it unique

and stand out to an audience due to the contrapuntal music (music that does not fit with what is happening on screen).

This contrast between classical, relaxing music and violent murderous acts, creates a uneasy mood for the audience and conveys the horror genre.

As well as this, the music also highlights the sad events we are witnessing, and the murders of many people, immediately connecting the audience on an emotional level.

Editing This opening sequence is edited by Peter Gvozdas,

who gives it a unique flare with contrast and colour.

He enhances the CCTV effect which causes the audience to feel uneasy as though they are witnessing crimes that are currently happening, adding to the horror genre.

The use of short frames, emphasises the mass of murders that are being shown on the screen. This again makes the overall effect on the audience greater.

Narrative Enigma

The ‘Purge’ opening sequence uses narrative enigma effectively through the ‘purge feed’ icon that is shown in the top right hand corner of the screen at all times.

This causes the audience to immediately wonder what the ‘purge feed’ is and what it’s purpose is in the film.

Camera Work

In the opening sequence of the Purge there are lots of high angled shots used, not only to emphasize the CCTV footage effect but to also show the insignificance of the lives that are being taken. It gives the audience a wider picture, as if they are witnessing the event as it occurs, putting them on edge and adding to the thriller genre.

There are also tracking shots used in the fight scenes, which create a shaky camera effect, representing the point of view of the audience.

Wide shots are frequently used to show setting and emphasis the destruction that is taking place.

There are also two long shots which show victims being slaughtered, making the audience feel an emotional connection to the vulnerability of the purge victims.

Credits

The credits flicker in and out on screen, and are not very noticeable to the audience. This suggests that the lives of the people are not significant, reinforced by the mass of killings shown on screen.

There are moments when two credits appear at once at opposite ends of the screen. This foreshadows later events in the film and suggest a possible stand off.

I believe watching and analysing this opening sequence has helped me understand what I need to include in mine because I now have a better knowledge of what credits to include to make mine more authentic and believable.

Final Piece

This title sequence is effective at using camera shots to have a certain effect on an audience, which is something similar that I plan to use in my final piece.

The use of credit order and potential meanings from two appearing on screen, creates an edgy atmosphere for the audience and I will ensure my credit order is thought out carefully.

This opening sequence is very effective in using narrative enigma through the ‘purge feed’ icon. This causes the audience to immediately wonder what the film holds, achieving the main aims of an opening sequence. I will try an create narrative enigma in my own sequence.

The soundtrack used in this sequence is also effective at creating tension and adding suspense, due to the contrapuntal music. To achieve the thriller genre in my own sequence I will build the instruments to form a crescendo similarly to this.