Opening Sequence Analysis 02
The Hunger Games
Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, the Hunger Games is an action/adventure which was released in 2012 and created by Lionsgate. Because it has the certificate 12, the audience is teenagers, particularly girls, as there is a strong female protagonist that the can look up to and idolise. Fans of the actress and the book series may also watch this film.
In the opening sequence we are given information about the history and how the Hunger Games was created, as well as what it actually is. This is presented to the audience as text on the screen, with a simple font and not bright colours. The font isn't cursive or looped, which connotes seriousness, as the Hunger Games is a serious topic within the narrative. This is also supported by the simplistic colours used: black and white. The background is black which can connote darkness and sincerity through the message, and the white text can connote hope, as the protagonist tries to return to a new equilibrium, a Utopian world. The purpose of the text is to inform the audience on an exciting backstory to the film, which also engages them and generates interest as they want to know how the past will affect the present story and the characters within. In terms of enigma codes, the hermeneutic enigma code is used with the topic of the hunger games and how that affects the story, as the audience are given little info on it.
After the text is presented, the scene cuts to a stage setting with high key lighting, especially involving colours such as blue and purple, which can give it a futuristic feel, as blue is a colour typically used in sci-fi films, and the Hunger Games is considered a sci-fi due to its settings and the use of advanced technology. During this scene an interview between two characters is shown, discussing the topic of the hunger games a bit more, but only briefly. The camera angles used involve close ups and medium shot, focusing on each character as they either speak or react to what the other is saying. There isn't any panning or tracking involved due to the characters being stationary and also because the scene doesn't involve any action and has a slow pace. The audience is able to tell how serious the Hunger Games is due to the massive crowd and stage, as well as costumes used. The costumes are smart suits of bright colours, which can catch the viewer's eye and show that the people of the interview are important and well-known by the community, perhaps a role model to some. The person being interviewed is talking about the past briefly, mentioning a rebellion which can spark interest among the audience, before the crowd cheer and clap with approval. The other character then asks a question more personal and not about the backstory, which can give the audience a chance to learn more about them; however before he can answer the scene is cut and quickly changes to a new setting.
This new setting involves duller colours with darker lighting, but still light enough to tell that it is the morning. The colours include greys and browns of buildings and clothes, which can show that life and the area is dull and industrialised, which contrasts to the bright green of the trees, something natural amongst the village.
In the bottom right of the screen is a piece of text stating the location of "District 12", which is featured during this establishing shot to inform the audience on the name of this location as it is a fictional place. The first sound that is heard is diegetic and is a scream, which can alarm the audience, There is a contrast in these scene to the previous one, as the mood is still serious but darker, with someone screaming for help.
Shortly after this establishing shot we are shown a room with two characters, and the audience finds out where the screams are coming from: a girl who has had a nightmare. In this scene, an older girl is comforting her, hugging and singing to her so that she calms down. The camera angles involve medium shots and close ups so that there is this constant focus on the characters as the audience is being introduced to the protagonist. When taking these shots, the camera seems as though it is handheld, as the scene is shaky, which can reflect how the little sister, Primrose is feeling as she cries to her sister, Katniss. This technique can also link to distress, as something is disturbing the character's and their everyday routines. Within this scene there isn't any non-diegetic sounds, only the diegetic dialogue between Katniss and Primrose. Within this dialogue we learn more about the characters; Katniss is a strong character who cares deeply about her sister, as she hugs her tightly and tells her that everything is ok, as well as singing to her until she is calmer.
The character of Primrose is presented as innocent and delicate, as she is protected by her older sister and views her as a role model and a vital aspect of her life in terms of survival. After this scene, Katniss then gets ready to go out hunting so that her family can get food and money. This supports how her character is strong and independent, putting her family and their needs before hers. The lighting within this scene is low-key and the colours are still dull, which connotes seriousness and boredom, as the character's routines are the same everyday and they are stick in this cycle, living in hardship and barely scraping the minimal living standards The serious note reflects how there is a slight disruption in one of the character's routines, as it is the day of the 'reaping' and Primrose is scared and is having nightmares.
In this opening sequence the character of Katniss appeals to a young, female audience, as they may form a relationship with the character. The representation of women here is subversive, as we have a strong and independent female protagonist, which is uncommon for films within the action genre. Furthermore, the stereotype of women is to be the weaker sex, emotional and dependent on others. This representation has a positive impact by testing this stereotype and proving that women can be strong too, which appeals to this audience as they aspire to be like Katniss.
After watching this opening sequence we can see a clear binary opposition between rich and poor, as the characters at the beginning wear expensive suits and make a lot of money, whereas Katniss and her family have to hunt for food to sell it for money so they can survive. This example of corporate greed can reflect some cultures in our life and can either appeal to the audience or make them aware of this issue and/or possible risk.
After the text is presented, the scene cuts to a stage setting with high key lighting, especially involving colours such as blue and purple, which can give it a futuristic feel, as blue is a colour typically used in sci-fi films, and the Hunger Games is considered a sci-fi due to its settings and the use of advanced technology. During this scene an interview between two characters is shown, discussing the topic of the hunger games a bit more, but only briefly. The camera angles used involve close ups and medium shot, focusing on each character as they either speak or react to what the other is saying. There isn't any panning or tracking involved due to the characters being stationary and also because the scene doesn't involve any action and has a slow pace. The audience is able to tell how serious the Hunger Games is due to the massive crowd and stage, as well as costumes used. The costumes are smart suits of bright colours, which can catch the viewer's eye and show that the people of the interview are important and well-known by the community, perhaps a role model to some. The person being interviewed is talking about the past briefly, mentioning a rebellion which can spark interest among the audience, before the crowd cheer and clap with approval. The other character then asks a question more personal and not about the backstory, which can give the audience a chance to learn more about them; however before he can answer the scene is cut and quickly changes to a new setting.
This new setting involves duller colours with darker lighting, but still light enough to tell that it is the morning. The colours include greys and browns of buildings and clothes, which can show that life and the area is dull and industrialised, which contrasts to the bright green of the trees, something natural amongst the village.
In the bottom right of the screen is a piece of text stating the location of "District 12", which is featured during this establishing shot to inform the audience on the name of this location as it is a fictional place. The first sound that is heard is diegetic and is a scream, which can alarm the audience, There is a contrast in these scene to the previous one, as the mood is still serious but darker, with someone screaming for help.
Shortly after this establishing shot we are shown a room with two characters, and the audience finds out where the screams are coming from: a girl who has had a nightmare. In this scene, an older girl is comforting her, hugging and singing to her so that she calms down. The camera angles involve medium shots and close ups so that there is this constant focus on the characters as the audience is being introduced to the protagonist. When taking these shots, the camera seems as though it is handheld, as the scene is shaky, which can reflect how the little sister, Primrose is feeling as she cries to her sister, Katniss. This technique can also link to distress, as something is disturbing the character's and their everyday routines. Within this scene there isn't any non-diegetic sounds, only the diegetic dialogue between Katniss and Primrose. Within this dialogue we learn more about the characters; Katniss is a strong character who cares deeply about her sister, as she hugs her tightly and tells her that everything is ok, as well as singing to her until she is calmer.
The character of Primrose is presented as innocent and delicate, as she is protected by her older sister and views her as a role model and a vital aspect of her life in terms of survival. After this scene, Katniss then gets ready to go out hunting so that her family can get food and money. This supports how her character is strong and independent, putting her family and their needs before hers. The lighting within this scene is low-key and the colours are still dull, which connotes seriousness and boredom, as the character's routines are the same everyday and they are stick in this cycle, living in hardship and barely scraping the minimal living standards The serious note reflects how there is a slight disruption in one of the character's routines, as it is the day of the 'reaping' and Primrose is scared and is having nightmares.
After watching this opening sequence we can see a clear binary opposition between rich and poor, as the characters at the beginning wear expensive suits and make a lot of money, whereas Katniss and her family have to hunt for food to sell it for money so they can survive. This example of corporate greed can reflect some cultures in our life and can either appeal to the audience or make them aware of this issue and/or possible risk.
The clip that I analysed:
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