The document summarizes key elements of cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, narrative, and character exposition in the opening sequence of the film "Natural Born Killers." Specifically, it describes the changing lighting and shot types as the characters dance, various fake scenery backgrounds as the characters drive through different places, overlapping shots and changing music to set different moods and settings, hints that the characters may be kidnappers or murderers on a criminal adventure, and close-up shots establishing the cunning and glamorous woman and the intense, controlling man with a pierced ear.

1. Cinematography
The beginning of the film starts off with a
couple dancing. At first the lighting is
high but then the lights dim to create a
romantic scenery. The shot type used is
medium shot as it captures the girl’s
smile while she’s dancing. The camera
then pans to the left to show a screen
with fireworks. Suddenly there’s an
extreme close up of the fireworks and the
camera quickly cuts to a blue sky. We
immediately find out that the characters
are the main protagonists and the story
will be centred around them

2. Mise en scene
The two characters are seen driving through
various places although these places are fake
and it shows them driving through fake
sceneries. The different types of places which
are shown is Vegas, Countryside, Native
America, The highway. In addition, Newspaper
articles are shown which reads ‘Local girl
missing’ this creates a sense of mystery as it
makes the audience question why she’s missing
and what is she doing with the man. The man in
the car is seen grinning which tells the audience
that he’s menacing and his plans have worked.

3. Editing
The shots gradually change with some shots overlapping each other. This is to
establish the different settings of the places. It is more of a montage edit. The
rhythm of the shots go from slow paced to fast paced then slow again. The
camera lingers on the newspaper articles to show the audience the importance
of it. During the opening sequence you can hear the Digetic sound of the man
and woman shrieking with joy, the train passing by and crashing sounds. In the
very first opening while the characters are dancing the music is non Digetic as it
goes with what’s happening on screen. The characters are dancing to
classical/romantic music. While the characters are in the car the music changes
to rock, this creates a sense of excitement.

4. Narrative
We get some hints of the narrative. For example, there’s an Enigma code as the
opening sequence makes the audience question why is the woman with the
man? Did he kidnap her? What are his/their plans? However it also tells us that
the characters are going to go on a journey, they looks like partners in crime.
The characters are seen kissing each other so it tells us that they are lovers. The
title of the movie is called ‘Natural Born Killers’ which hints that they could be
murderers. The ending of the opening sequence is when the car stops to a halt in
a desert with the woman laughing. This tells the audience that it is the beginning
of their adventure.

5. Expositions of the characters
Extreme close up of the
woman’s face. She looks
serious and has a thoughtful
expression on her face like
she has a cunning plan. She
also looks glamorous which
tells the audience that she
cares about her appearance.
Close up of the man’s
face. He looks like he’s
got blood on his cheeks
and his facial expression
is intense. He looks like
the one in control rather
than the woman. He has
a pierced ear which tells
the audience that he’s
representing himself as
a ‘bad boy’