Analysing Opening Sequences - Pirates of the Caribbean

Scene summaries – Pirates of the Caribbean

There is a fade in from the opening title to the first establishing shot of a foggy sea line. This is the first indication of the location to whereas the film will take place. A few seconds later an old, dated sail ship arrives in the centre of the frame. As the title leads you to believe the film is based around pirates and the life as pirates. This makes us question the fact that the occupants of this ship could be the pirates talked about in the title. As it is the first interaction with the camera it would make sense to think this. As the ship sails closer the camera rises and focuses on a young girl positioned on the bow. This is a mid shot as it allows us to see the age of the little girl and enough detail of the ship for the time setting to be confirmed. As we change camera angle to a point of view shot. We see the costume of the girl. She is dressed well in a white frilly dress. Contemplating this and the fact she is located on a grand luxurious ship, for the time period, we are lead to believe she is possibly upper or higher class than the average little girl.

As soon as the man places his hand on the girl’s shoulders, she is stunned and scared. These facial expressions make us think she is out of place and shouldn’t be there. The camera skips to an over shoulder shot. This lets us know a conversation is likely to take place. It also allows us to see, for the first time, a male character. The contrast between the two first characters we are introduced to considerably large. They are total opposites in every way. The costume of the man seems rough, but not as dirty or ruined compared to a pirate; this causes your opinion of the ship to differ from your original theory of it being a pirate ship. However the young lady’s clothing is as mentioned before. This makes you think that the class of the man is lower than of the little girl. It is ironic how the smaller girl looks up to the man. In society it would differ.

Next we are introduced to two expensively, well dressed men. This mid shot, as well as a two shot, shows a lot of the background but also allows us to briefly examination the relationship between the two. As the man dressed in the blue blazer is positioned closes to the camera, we naturally assume that this man is superior to the other.  Also shallow focus is used to allow us to concentrate on the two men in the centre. However, we can still vaguely see lower class cleaners in the background. The two men are positioned to look as the man in the background is an assistant to the younger man. We assume this because he is simply on looking onto the others.

As the younger man approaches the bow of the ship, a point of view shot from the girl’s perspective. She is looming up to the looking up towards the younger man. This reveals the fact that the girl looks up to the man. 

We turn to a close up shot of the girls. It shows a concerning and shocked emotions on her face. As if she has seen something obscure or alarming.  This is a considerable give away to what could happen in the proceeding scene. As this scene continues, another point of view shot occurs. We observe a cream umbrella drifting along the side of the ship. The use of this camera positioning is continued further into the scene. As well as her point of view being shared amongst the audience, we also feel her emotions shock and horror. This is all due to the effect of the certain camera angle.

Not much occurs throughout the first two minutes but it is enough to make us sympathise with the young girl.

Use of sound

The title screen is a dark, scary opening. Music is played that matches this is synchronous sound. It matches the mood set by the title screen. It is hardly noticeable and it helps create authenticity and the atmosphere. It also gives us an indication of what to expect.

As the sea appears on the screen we hear slight noise from the natural features, such as the wind and waves. It is ambient sound as it has such makes the viewer feel fearful of what is to occur next. There is a quiet piece of non-diegetic music as the ship enters the view. It establishes the atmosphere. The music itself is creepy and makes us feel as if something bad is about to happen.

This establishing shot shows the location, weather condition, time period and form of transport. The location is on the sea, the exact location is unknown. The foggy weather makes the ship seem suspicious and gives the impression it is not suppose to be there. As the ship is powered by sails, it indicates that the ship is dated.

This character is the first we are introduced to. As her clothes are dated it proves that the time when this film is set was many years ago. As she is the first character was are introduced to, it makes her look important.

This over-the-shoulder shot shows the relationship between the two. It makes the little girl seem vulnerable and unaware. However the man looks harm less. He is also dress up less than the girl. It makes him seem to be a lower class.

 As the man slyly drinks from the bottle, you can see that the two in the background are superior. The costumes they are indicating suggest. The background also confirms they are on a ship.

This point of view shot suggests that this little girl looks up to this man.

This two shot shows there is a close relationship between the two even though, judging by their clothing, the male on the left is superior.

Overall

This is a good opening for us to look at now we know what genre we will be working in (zombie) because it has a similar mix of sinister / comic in its overall tone. In this opening, it is the slightly eerie side that is prominent. As in The Blues Brothers, this is achieved mainly through mise-en-scene (especially lighting) and sound. The distant singing is quite creepy, and teh ship looking out of the fog is effective. This also sets lots of questions for us. Why are the girl and her father on the boat? what is the connection with pirates? what does the girl see in the sea? Setting constant questions hooks the audience and is something we should try to do.