2. LONG WIDE SHOT
The shot which the audience is introduced to is a long wide shot of a stereotypical modern city. This shot is used to establish the
location of the scene and in this case, also shows where the whole film is based. This aerial view of several large and high-
class buildings connotes to the audience that this specific location has a lot of wealth and belongs to a wealthy, successful
society. The fact that this location is seemingly very wealthy also slightly hints to the audience of what is going to happen in
this opening sequence (a bank robbery). We can also see from the lighting that it is early afternoon, which gives the shot a
relaxing atmosphere. However, this is contrasted with the sound during this shot, which is a slow, tense music track with a rising
volume level. This creates a high level of suspense and hints again to the audience of what is to come.
3. This shot introduces some of the key
narrative enigma’s of this opening
sequence as well as introducing some
of the key themes of the film. This shot
provides the suggestion that the
character which is shown is one of the
villains of the film as the smashed
window and the use of props (gun and
mask) leads us to the assumption that
he is a criminal. The mask prop is key in
this suggestion as it shows that he is
trying to hide his real identity, which is
a typical criminal-like trait. The sound
of the gun being loaded is also
emphasised to outline its presence and
make it a main focus of the shot. This
also raises questions of who this man is,
what is he trying to do and what would
that accomplish. The high angle on this
over the shoulder shot allows us to see
clearly the props which are being used
as well as the opposite building which
was seen in the shot beforehand.
HIGH ANGLE
OVER THE
SHOULDER
SHOT
4. LONG SHOT
In this shot, a man who is dressed in all
dark coloured clothing is shown standing
on an ordinary city street with no
unusual activities being hinted. The mans
normal standing posture also does not
suggest any type of strange behaviour
unlike the last shot which was shown.
However, the mask which the man is
holding suggests that he is somehow
involved in the criminal activity which
was shown by the character in the
previous shot as he was wearing a
similar mask. The difference in this shot
however, is that the mask, which gives a
sense of horror to the shot, is used to
foreshadow future events in the scene
and gives an indication that this man is
also a villain. Due to this indication, it
allows the audience to question what the
man is carrying in the bag, which we
soon find out in the next shot that it is
full with several weapons which confirms
the audiences speculation of whether he
is a villain or not. The fact that this man
is standing alone also suggests that he
might be the main antagonist of the
film.
5. MEDIUM
CLOSE UP
This shot provides a much clearer
and closer image of the masks which
the villains are using, this emphasises
the horror qualities which the masks
bring to the sequence and creates a
reoccurring motif in all of the shots.
This also confirms one of the sub-
genres of the film which is horror.
The medium close up shot allows the
audience to see both the characters
and more specifically the character
in the background who appears to
be attacking his accomplice. This
raises questions of whether this man
is a villain or hero in this opening
sequence. The design on the masks
are also very ironic because the
mask of the man in the foreground
(who is shot) shows a very unhappy
emotion while the attacker’s mask is
a very devious looking one. This also
foreshadows the outcome of the
character in the foreground before
he is even attacked.
6. MEDIUM
CLOSE UP
This medium close up shot
focuses on the hands of a
hostage who is holding an
active grenade, this brings
attention to the massive danger
which the masked villains are
bringing to this opening scene.
The hands and the grenade
are not blurred unlike the rest
of the shot so that they are the
main focus of the shot and so
the audience immediately gives
their attention towards it. The
hands are also positioned in
the corner of the shot so that
the masked man which can be
seen in the left side of shot is
still visible and so the audience
is still aware of his presence,
but not to the extent that he
overpowers the shot.
7. WIDE SHOT
This wide shot allows to the audience to see one of the villains taking cover to protect himself from the pursuing attacker who can be
seen in the top right part of the shot. Several hostages can also be seen in between the two main characters of this shot, this adds to
the general theme of danger in this opening sequence. This shot makes the once powerful villain look very vulnerable and weak
which is a massive change to how he was previously presented to the audience. This may be a suggestion that the villains, who we
now know are bank robbers, will not be successful in their attempted crime. We also see in this shot that the character who was
standing alone in one of the earlier shots is also dressed in a slightly different colour to the other bank robbers. The clothes which he
is wearing contain a dark purple colour pallet which is a very iconic colour for batman's famous arch-enemy ‘the Joker’ which further
hints to this audience that this character is the main antagonist of the film.
8. MEDIUM
CLOSE UP
This medium close up shot was shown
in a very small period of time which
is why the gun is shown out of focus,
as it was raised and shot with a very
quick pace. The quickness of this
makes the murder much less dramatic
and creates a somewhat normality to
a very extreme action. The mask, like
most other shots, is highlighted in this
shot. The masks mischievous design
contrasts with the seriousness of the
characters body language and what
he is about to do. This shot is also
shown in low key lighting which is
very different from the other shots
which were shown in a normal
daylight effect. This low key lighting
could be highlighting the murder
which is about to take place and how
such actions implement a very dark,
horrific mood on the on the film.
9. WIDE SHOT
This shot allows us to see the large amount of money which is being stored in the bank, which confirms the earlier assumption that
the city where the film is based is very wealthy. The wide shot simply shows us the length of the room which underlines the
amount of money which is being stored. The position of the man stealing the money is very central which directs most of the
attention of the shot to him; This makes it much easier for the audience to understand what he is doing. Again in this shot we see
the low key lighting which could be highlighting what the man is doing (stealing money) and the dark intentions which it brings.
10. OVER THE
SHOULDER
SHOT
The use of the this over the shoulder
shot is useful because it allows us to
see that the man is pointing his gun
at one of his accomplices. This shot is
different from the previous over the
shoulder shot because its being used
to show danger of life which is a
very common theme in this film
opening. The masks, which have been
used as a key prop to show certain
outcomes in previous shots, are also
used to show similar effects in this
shot. The design of the mask (which
the man who can be seen front on is
wearing) suggests that he does not
feel threatened by the other
character who is pointing a gun
towards him. This is used to
foreshadow that the man will not be
shot. This is also suggested through
the mans body language, which is
shown in a very relaxed standing
posture, further suggesting that he
doesn’t feel threatened.
