Opening Sequence Analysis

Ocean’s 8 Opening Sequence Analysis

Directed by: Gary Ross 

Budget: 70 million USD

Production company: Warner Brothers.

Ocean’s 8 is the film directed by Gary Ross, released in 2018. The movie can be related to the different types of genres such as action, thriller, comedy and a crime film. The movie made around 297.7 million USD by box office. The cast is Sandra Bullock, Griffin Dunne, Deidre Goodwin, Daniella Rabbani, Brian J. Carter, Gemma Forbes, Katherine Hozier-Adams, Freddy J. Davila, Francesca Calo, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna etc. 

Summary of an opening sequence.

Throughout the whole opening sequence we can see an independent, self- confident woman that is not afraid to take the risks. From the very beginning, we see a scene in the prison which suggests that she has already done something illegal, so since then we know her as a criminal that was running a prison and selling drugs through the guards, which makes her look even cooler and more discrete. The audience could understand that the main protagonist might be planning something illegal or unlawful, after she gets out of jail, which gives us a hook and makes us as the audience even more satisfied and exited to find out what is going to happen after. A big variety of conventions is used during the opening scene such as sound, genre, which you could easily spot while watching the sequence, the title of the film on the background of the city, introducing the location to the audience, using different types of camera shots for revealing it even more, furthermore, the main protagonist and her personality is introduced. She is being really confident and fearless, which suggests her experience in doing this kind of job, sometimes she is being a bit sarcastic which helps the audience understand even more about how her personality is. She acts like a powerful woman which breaks stereotypes. The star billing is shown as well on a bright and colorful background, which catches our attention from the beginning. The production company name and logo are shown, and as the company is already well known, we have a rough idea of how the film will be filmed or edited. 

Cinematography 

The opening scene starts with a medium close- up shot of a main character in the prison cell, wearing the orange uniform and talking to a guard, then it is  followed with a medium close-up ,medium long, medium and extreme close up shots of the main protagonist talking to a guard in the prison. After, we see a pan camera movement and a close up shot of the main character. Then, the dolly movement that is following the main protagonist. On the way out of the prison we see a 2-shot  that shows that there is another person present in a dialogue or in the situation. Afterwards, we see the high angle /over the shoulder shot which is followed by a medium close up shot and the extreme close up shot of the watches which have a name of her brother on it, to reveal all the details and give a better understanding of what is happening. Subsequently, we see the 2-shot , which is a medium close-up shot. When she gets out of the prison, we notice a medium shot that shows that she finally got out of the prison. Extreme long shot of the protagonist with the prison in the background, it suggests that she is finally free. It is followed by an establishing bird eye view with a zoom in movement shot that gives a better understanding of the location where everything will be happening (crowded city). After we see a couple of bird eye view shots and truck movement , which are followed by a zoom in movement to spot the main protagonist out of everyone in the crowd, and draw the audience’s attention to the character. Afterwards we lay eyes on the rack focus movement on the actress, which is followed by a dolly movement which stops on a medium shot to show the name of the expensive shop, which suggests that the ‘prisoner’ knows good places in the town where to shop at. The titled wipe edit is used after, which is typical for the adverts. It reveals the big variety of make-up and perfume that they have in the luxurious shop. They used close up shots of expensive makeup products, that suggest the affluence of the main protagonist, which is followed by a pan movement to reveal all the products. Also, we could see the pedestal movement that goes into a close-up shot, followed by a dolly movement, which is following her hand. It shows how she is trying the products on by spraying the perfume on herself. Then, we see the pedestal movement again to show that she is smelling it, testing and trying out. Later we notice an extreme close up shot, which represents her calmness and smoothness. Throughout the whole opening scene the big variety of shots is used.

Editing

The big variety of editing techniques is used throughout the opening scene.  Match on action is used quite often too. Match on action is an editing technique for continuity in which one shot cuts to another shot, portraying an action of the subject in the first shot. This creates the impression of a sense of continuity and takes the attention away from any slight cutting or continuity issues. Additionally we could see the use of 180 degree rule , which is  a cinematography guideline that states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another. When the camera passes over the invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line and the shot becomes what is called a reverse angle. The titled wipe edit is used a couple of times too. It is very typical for the advertisement videos, however here, it is used to reveal the big variety of make-up products

Over the shoulder technique is used as well. It represents how two people are having a conversation. Over the shoulder is a shot in which the camera is placed just behind an "off-screen" actor so that their shoulder is in the frame while you capture the "on-screen" actor's coverage. 

Mise-en scene

A big variety of props and costumes is used during the opening sequence to create  the meaning to the audience. From the very beginning we can see the main character wearing an orange uniform in a prison cell, which straight away suggests that she is a criminal and she has already done something, which creates an enigma and we question ourselves of what might she do after she gets out ,whether she will keep doing criminal stuff or genuinely change. The black, fancy, elegant dress she wears after she gets out of the prison represents how rich, affluent and wealthy she is even after just getting out of the jail. The next location, which is a fancy shop suggests that she has money and she knows good places where to spend it. Props such as make up products and clothes from a famous designer simply proves to us again that everything there is expensive and  the main character is prosperous and rich. The scene in the hotel proves to us again that she’s not only elegant and good-looking, but she’s also very smart and sneaky. This suggests that the main protagonist is used to this kind of situation and knows how to react. She’s being very calm and confident. The luxurious hotel also represents the influence of the character.

Sound

There are two main types of sounds diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Diegetic sound is a noise which has a source on-screen. They are noises which have not been edited in, for example dialogue between characters or  footsteps. Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound. Non-diegetic sound is a noise which does not have a source on-screen, they have been added in, such as music or foley sound.

Throughout the opening sequence the sound is synchronous and the maracas goes with the edit. The music is joyful and lively, it is conventional of the film with intrigue, crime films. Moreover, it increases when the protagonist walks out of the shop as kind of celebrating it. This type of music is making the audience be on her side even though we all know what she is doing is wrong and illegal. The music in this opening sequence plays a huge part in creating the meaning for the audience, it is not too serious, but still creates attention and represents the star power. The diegetic sound such as dialogue (when she was talking to a prison guard) also plays an important role in creating the meaning and giving a hook. The sound is mainly non-diegetic ,such as music throughout the whole opening scene.