Frame-by-frame analysis of The Dark Knight - Emily Saunders

The opening scene of The Dark knight:
In this section of the blog I will be analysing the opening scene of The Dark Knight to discover what makes a spectacular opening sequence to a typical thriller film. Therefore this will give us inspiration of the narrative used throughout the opening scene, the type of shots and editing used for when we record our own opening scene.

1) The first screen shot that we are introduced to is an establishing shot, it gives the audience a hint of the setting and surroundings around and what type of film The Dark Knight is going to be. The camera   zooms inwards focusing on the black building using a tracking shot, this is effective as it establishes the setting and where the action and plot is going to take place. This shot gives the audience a sense of curiosity from the audience making them wonder why we are being introduced to a specific location. The tracking shot helps to bring detail to the surrounding and let the audience focus upon a specific part of the plot, which makes the film intriguing and engaging. Also, there is no dialogue or sound in this part of the scene therefore creating tension of what is going to happen next.

2 ) This shot is introduced by using a simple cut from the previous shot. A close up shot is used to establish the character that is in this scene and give the audience a preview of who and what is to come throughout the film without giving them the whole scene of which building they are in and why they are there. Also a close up shot is effective in this opening scene because it makes the audience want to know who the person is and want to know more about them. This type of shot also distinguishes the character and is a good way to introduce their importance within the film, it gives the shot a sense of foreshadowing. 

3) This shot is slowly panned out from the previous shot, from a close up shot to a medium-long shot of the character. This gives the audience chance to connect with the character and see the real them in a sense. As a medium long shot is used is shows most of the character ( head to knees) but not all of the character. It also gives the opportunity to show the environment and location around so that it gives the audience an insight of whats to come.

4) A cut is used from the previous shot to this present shot, then tracking is used to move from a long shot slowly into a close up shot of just the mask in the shot. This shot helps the audience to establish the character through mise en scene of the props 'the mask'. This shot also leaves the audience wondering who the character is and what part they will play in the scene as we are introduced to 'the mask' making the audience feel intreaged and want to keep watching.

5) The camera moves from a closeup shot to a long shot through panning, this is effective as it gives a glimse of the setting and establishes the character as through this shot you can see all of their body, therefore enhancing the fact that the audience still need to be intorduced to the figure. Also, the use of a long shot in this scene helps to show the props for exaple the vehicle as this gives the audience a full on experience as if they were actually there.

6) In this shot we are introduced to more characters, this is established by a cut edit from the previous shot to the present shot. A medium shot is used to introduce the characters but not give away their identity as you cannot see their entire body.

  7) The pace was slow in the beginning on  The Dark Knight, however it starts to build by this shot. You can tell this as the are quick paced cut shots from one shot to the next, this shot is established from a medium shot to a close up shot this shows the detail needed to create tension along with the fast pace but does not give the whole scene away, therefore this is incredibly effective as it gives the audience a chance to connect with the characters on screen.

8) This shot is moved to a long shot, this helps to show the setting and the characters in full view. Therefore this can help the audience relate to the action thats going to happen as they can see everything in the shot. Also, non diagetic sound of a fast beat is added to this scene to create tension, it is slowly getting faster paced.

9) This shot is a long shot/extreme long shot this
is an establishing shot that can show the thrilling action taking place from afar. You can see little detail because it is a long shot and therefore it gives a general impression rather than any specific information within the shot. Non diagetic sound is used within this shot and gets a faster beat and pace, reinforcing the action thats happening within the scene.

10) The long shot then carrys on into another long shot by a cut, this shows the action keeps continuing throughout the scene showing that there is action throughout. Also, this shot shows the characters in full for the first time and makes the audience realise that there is many characters that look the same making them want to carry on watching.



Emily Saunders