1. Analysis of a film
opening sequence
Rianna Patel

2. How is the narrative
introduced?
• Eerie music throughout gives the sense of
danger
• The woman keeps looking around, as if
searching for something
• Cautious and weary of her surroundings
• Sense of danger as she is in a secluded
woodland area
• She is making notes and from the map we see
she is trying to cover full park area
• Rural area away from city
• Forest in much larger in comparison to city
• She uses a red pen for her notes and to mark
the map

3. How is the character
introduced?
• The woman is alone in the woods,
stereotypical for vulnerability
• Inevitable idea that something will
happen as she is a woman
• Constantly looking around in search of
something
• Making notes and marking the map in
order to cover full area
• High angles shots show her lack of power

4. How are the location
and setting introduced?
• The setting of a woodland area with a woman
travelling alone
• Clear sense of danger
• The beauty of nature is contradicted by the
music and the innocence of the setting is put
into question
• The exchange of power from human to nature as
nature towers over the woman
• The setting is of great significance to the story
and the character as she takes notes

5. How are the atmosphere
and tone established?
• The frequent use of natural colours such as
green and brown
• The setting of the forest initially engages
audience as the setting is risky
• Eerie music is synchronised with the setting
and adds to the tension
• The low-key lighting reinforces this idea
again
• The non-diegetic sound fades out and leaves
the diegetic sounds of her moving

6. How are the titles
integrated?
• The titles are integrated within the sequence
• The producer logos are shown before the
opening sequence begins

7. The movie title is very simple, it
is placed beside this character
in the shot to show that she is
the main character.
This point of view shot shows
the trees towering over her,
this shows her lack of power
and vulnerability.
The close up shot of the character
allows you to familiarise yourself.
It also shows the weariness in her
expression
This long shot establishes the
setting of the opening. The low
key lighting and dark colours
clearly set the mood.

8. This long shot of her driving, shows
the enormity of the forest. The
titles have been integrated to the
side of the main focus of the shot.
The beauty of nature is shown
in this point of view shot, with
the titles integrated to the side.
This over the shoulder shot of
her map and the area she has
covered gives the viewer an
idea of her aims.
In this long shot we see the two
cars beside hers are cleanly owned
by campers who have come for a
reason, leaving us unknown as to
her reasons for coming to the park.

9. This extreme long shot shows
how large the forest is and how
much of the land she is trying
to cover.
The family picnic area in this
establishing shot the area is
empty. This is strange and it
maybe for a reason.
In this high angle shot nature has
been given power. Also the titles
have been integrated through the
scenery to establish location.