ANALYSIS OF A FILM OPENING - QUANTUM OF SOLACE 24.01.14

I consider this film opening to be the best example of a film opening that presents all the codes and conventions needed. At the beginning, the production and distribution companies are clearly stated as 'Columbia Pictures' is shown on screen before the actual film begins. The shot then cuts to the first scene, which is an establishing shot of where we guess the next event is going to happen, which gives the panning of the landscape of where the scene is set. Flashes of a car is then in the frame and is the next cut to be filmed, which is the beginning of the action taking place which is used to hook the audience and capture their interest. The shots continue to do this until the camera cuts to a mans eyes, who we gather to be the main character, James Bond. As the original establishing shot zooms closer into the mountain that it's focused on, the car shots become more frequent and occur more, creating fast cuts. Suddenly, the original establishing shot becomes a close up of the tunnel hidden in the mountain and the rest of the shots are of the fast moving car, creating the pre plot and the assumption that the car is the main subject and is going to be the cause of the action about to happen. There is then a car chase, which carries on the dramatic atmosphere and holds the audiences attention as this appears to be the key event that occurs. There is then a shoot out which makes the opening even more dramatic and emphasises the film genre, which is action/thriller. Then at the end when the action is over (for now) the credits appear on screen with the name of the main character, Daniel Craig, and the film title 'Quantum of Solace'.
Overall, this film opening is a great example of what is needed in a capturing film opening as it includes a key event (car chase) which also makes the genre of film very clear, the key titles - film name, production/distribution companies and the main character, introduced the pre plot and the panning of landscape.