Analysing Opening Sequences - Blues Brothers

As the credits fade into the opening,  there is an establishing shot of what looks to be like a dirty, smoggy factory city. We suspect it is a nuclear power plant due to the mass area it covers and the significant amount of chimneys located in this area. As a result of this, the sky above masked in a grey thick smog. The lighting, one factor of mise-en-scene, proves this. A shot focusing on the sun shows a faded orange dot that is obscured by this pollutant. This aerial shot continues for another few seconds over this industrial city. 

First establishing shot. Shows aerial view of an industrial estate. Due to the plant being so large it will need many people to run it. Possible clue for a close community.

A very depressing area due to the smoggy and Smokey skies. The sun is just about visible and is covered in a sheet of smog.  The title ‘Blues Brother’ may originate from this depressing aerial establishing shot.  They fact that the only colour visible is grey makes it seem lifeless.

An establishing shot continues still in past a chicken wire fence, behind this fence is a caged concrete dog. This mirrors what we about to see. The camera moves over the fence whilst this establishing shot continues. The camera concentrates on a police officer raising the American flag. As a result of this we are able to identify where the film will take place. Progressing on, the camera pans out and we see the prison watch towers for the first time. 

Several  shots  of prison. They were used to make the prison seem intimidating. This causes the view to be sorry for anyone in the prison. The green sign also indicates where about the prison is located.

We are able to see the size vast prison walls in comparison to the man. It has an emotional effect on the viewer and causes them to feel sorry for anyone in the prison.  The camera cuts to various locations around the prison to highlight the pure strength and capability of the building. The viewer is witnessing one of the shots from the perspective of any prison inmate, trough the wired fence topped with barbed wire. This causes the audience, once again, to feel the sympathetic for any convict. Various shots of the prison repeatedly appear, one particular scene contains all features of mise-en-scene.  We are told the location by a green sign strategic place in the centre of the frame. The sign reads ‘Illinois’. The audience sees this as a real location and is more likely to engage with the story.  This scene shows the contrast between freedom of the city and the restraint of the high walled prison. To further the impact of the intimidating enclosure, a prison guard wanders the perimeter walls. The costume this guard is wearing consists of a set uniform and a rifle. The rifle is the only prop used but it has a massive impact on the impression we receive. It makes the guard more threatening and realistic. It indicates power and authority. There does not appear to be any added lighting, natural light is the only resource used.  

The light on the guards make them seem important and less vulnerable to attack. The inmates are in the dark and look harmless. The reason for this is so the audience focuses on the guards not the prisoners.

As the guards enter the prison a two shot indicates that the officers work closely together. The correct actors were chosen to be guards. As the stereotype suggests, police officers tend to be big, muscular men. In this case the stereotype apples for one guard, where as the other seems small and vulnerable. A lack of light has a large effect on this scene. The guards are easily visible where as the actual prisoners and cells are dimmed to hide their faces. It is done so the viewer focuses on the police officers.

The officers then begin conversation with one inmate. A close up on another inmate's face through the thick steel bars cause us to feel guilty as it reveals that the only light they receive is from sunlight.

The prisoner is locked behind thick steel bars. This causes mixed emotions for the view as they know he has done something wrong but it makes them feel sympathetic.

Blues Brothers Sound

The title slide show the production and distribution credits are shown in silence as they are not important to the film. This silence creates a slightly tense atmosphere and makes the audience a little bit aware of what is going on. As the titles role off and the establishing shot begins the only diegetic, ambient sound that we hear is the burning of the flame. This makes the atmosphere depressing and miserable.  This piece of diegetic sound helps sets the scene as it is a very distinctive sound. This continues for a few seconds into the scene.

The next section where sound is introduced is as the establishing shot focuses on the statue of the dog. We hear a real dog barking in the background. This is misleading as you have to look twice as the concrete dog looks real. This is ambient sound and it helps creates the atmosphere of a secure, scary place.

 

After this, there is no sound until the guards talk to one inmate. This makes the prison seem like a very depressing place to be.  This is ambient sound; however it is only a few lines of dialogue and does not have much effect on the viewer.

 

The only other sound we hear is the footsteps. As all the inmates are quiet we feel like they have nothing to talk about or they are scared to talk. This creates a very tense atmosphere.

 

Overall

I think this was a valuable film to watch to think about how we can create a specific atmosphere in our two minute opening. Location plays a key part here so we will have to make sure we find somewhere to film that adds to the atmosphere of our film. There is less sound used here than in other film openings I have watched and that has made a difference to the atmosphere, giving an almost sinister quality. This is something we can use. I also think the credits coming up silently can be quite effective.