Hannibal opening scene and Trailer

hannibal opening scene

Comparing opening scenes

Cinematography:

The scene opens with an establishing shot of the scene, which includes 3 men in a richly decorated room, this is a typical feature in opening sequences as it helps to introduce the film. The shot has the added effect of introducing some of the characters as well, overall it introduces characters, setting and plot line very well. The scene ends with the camera zooming in on hannibals mask, this is an iconic prop for the character, this uses what we call a focus pull to draw the audiences attention to the mask, this has the effect of being very foreboding. It also may introduce the character of Hannibal a bit as he is so well known for wearing this mask.

Editing:

The editing used here is mostly in the titles, the fact that they are red, symbolising blood and death, tells the audience that this film is a thriller about a murderer. The titles at the start are in very official, and uninteresting font, this changes when the scene ends to a font tat looks very handwritten, this introduces the film to be mre personal to the audience, as it looks like an actual person has written the word "Hannibal" on the screen. The way that the last shot fades into the final title makes the end of the scene clear, it hints at the audience that the actual plot is about to start, the credits are over, and that they should know pay attention.

Mise-en-scene:

The mise-en-scene used here is used to heavily hint upon the theme of the film, for example, the fact that the man in the wheelchair is so horribly disfigured hints that he may have been one of hannibals victims, this tells the audience that the genre here is a thriller about a murderer. The props used also help to introduce the audience to the film, the mask shown at the end of the scene is such an iconic symbol of hannibal that the audience immediatly know what to expect, this may set them up for any plot twists during the film. The intimidating nature of the mask also helps to inspire some nervousness in the audience, so that when the tension breaks it shocks them all the more, as they have been feeling it right frm the beginning of the film.

Sound:

The sound in the opening scene is all diagetic (present in the scene) this has the effect of making the sequence more personal to the audience, it also introduces them to the film in a way in which they are familiar with, a normal conversation.

hannibal trailer