Opening Scenes - Analysis: 4 - Baby Driver
The fourth opening sequence I'm going to look at and analyse is "Baby Driver", a heist film.
The opening sequence contains the following conventions:
This scene works to establish the main characters and their traits, and to set up the plot. It establishes that our heroes are criminals, and that the genre is a heist film. However, its primary focus is to establish tone. From the instant the scene begins, a huge emphasis is placed on sound (the revving of the engines) and music. The first character we see is our hero listening to music on his headphones, Even the editing of the scene is cut to be in time with the music. All this works together to establish that music is going to be a key component of the film.
Music is even used to establish character; by miming along to the song, Baby demonstrates that though he is associating with hardened criminals, he is having fun. But when the other characters return, he stops miming along and returns to a serious posture. This establishes that although he is working with them, he feels distinct from them, and works to tell the audience that it's ok to like him even if we don't like the other criminals.
The other thing that the film does to endear us to the main character is to establish his incredible skill. So called "competence porn" is something found throughout film history; audiences like watching people who are great at their jobs, using the techniques of aspirational empathy that were made famous by the advertising industry to get us to see ourselves through the main character's eyes.
The opening sequence contains the following conventions:
- Introduces important characters, revealing traits
- Introduces the plot/storyline
- Establishes style
- Includes production company logo
- Includes titles
- Sets up an enigma
This scene works to establish the main characters and their traits, and to set up the plot. It establishes that our heroes are criminals, and that the genre is a heist film. However, its primary focus is to establish tone. From the instant the scene begins, a huge emphasis is placed on sound (the revving of the engines) and music. The first character we see is our hero listening to music on his headphones, Even the editing of the scene is cut to be in time with the music. All this works together to establish that music is going to be a key component of the film.
Music is even used to establish character; by miming along to the song, Baby demonstrates that though he is associating with hardened criminals, he is having fun. But when the other characters return, he stops miming along and returns to a serious posture. This establishes that although he is working with them, he feels distinct from them, and works to tell the audience that it's ok to like him even if we don't like the other criminals.
The other thing that the film does to endear us to the main character is to establish his incredible skill. So called "competence porn" is something found throughout film history; audiences like watching people who are great at their jobs, using the techniques of aspirational empathy that were made famous by the advertising industry to get us to see ourselves through the main character's eyes.
Comments
Post a Comment