Moon - Opening Sequence Analysis
- 1. Moon Opening Sequence Analysis Jack Halford
- 2. Genre Film Genre - sci-fi How is this displayed in the opening sequence? - Space (shots of moon/sun/Earth/space/moon base) - Technology (Robots/moon buggy/giant robot moon buggy/spaceships) - Sun Flares - Astronaut and space suit - Colour (white, grey, metallic, dark colours) - Sans-serif font - Non diegetic music - Diegetic - Films narrative (typical plot of future crisis solved by a magical space solution which definitely cant go wrong…)
- 3. Narrative The title credits are integrated into the opening sequence rather than having their own title sequence and this gives the audience an insight into the world in which the film is set. The ‘Lunar Industries” advert is used to give information upon the narrative and implies the plot of the film. The advert tells the audience the problems of the world and its past energy crisis before presenting HE3 which is supposedly a ‘golden energy’ that will power the world and provide unlimited energy. This causes an enigma as it doesn’t look like anything can go wrong. The location and character engage the audience immediately, the mundane, monotonous robot along with the rugged spaceman conveys to the audience that the man has been there for a long time and knows what he is doing. We are also given information about the duration of his job so we know he's going to be there for a long time. We are also told that he works for the company who created the advert that is shown at the beginning of the sequence. The moon base itself tells the audience that this is going to be a more realistic and gritty sci-fi film because instead of having the typical futuristic style which has everything being shiny and amazing looking technological things it is a practical, grimy design. From the astronauts facial expression and body language the audience is made aware of the fact that the astronaut is living a monotonous life on the moon in which he does the same thing every day and has done since he got there and will do until he leaves. This is also reinforced through the robots monotone, lifeless voice.
- 4. Titling Font/size White, sans serif (looks modern which matches with the futuristic genre.) Shadows and reflections reflect genre and also allow the titles to become part of the film world. The colour of the text changes to match the setting on the screen (e.g. outside or on a wall). Positioning The titles are angled and sized to fit into the setting, for example on the running machine. The positioning of the titles makes it look as if the titles are actually within the film world and not edited in afterwards The films title “Moon” appears in the centre of the frame and takes up the majority of the frame too Movement (of title) The title ‘moon’ fades in and out over a shot of the moon itself and through the use of shadowing it looks as if the credits are part of the film world. Throughout the sequence the titles continue to move with the camera meaning that they stay in place and therefore seem to actually be in the film world. The order of the titles follow the conventional order with the “starring” credits appearing before the film title and the directors name being the last title credit to appear,
- 5. Colour: - Grey / black – This combination of colours suggests that he is alone, which further leads the audience to believe that he is lonely. Furthermore, it suggests his work is mundane, and that there is little change in routine, making it very boring. - White / silver / blue – These colours are all conventional to the genre, and convey a futuristic atmosphere. Lighting: - Low-key – Links to the grey / black colouring, as this further emphasises that he’s isolated due to the lack of other life forms, and that his work is repetitive and tiresome. - High-key – Conveys a futuristic atmosphere - Sun flares – These are conventional to the sci-fi genre, and are commonly used in sci-fi films. Colour/Lighting
- 6. Mise-en-Scene Costume: - Mismatched/unfashionable everyday clothing – This suggests that he doesn’t have access to resources such as new clothing. It also suggests he doesn’t care about his appearance because he is alone. - Astronaut suit – Conventional to the genre and indicates his job. - Name tag – Indicates that he’s a professional, and links him to the company mentioned in the advert at the beginning. In addition, could suggest that he is supposed to be one of many rather than by himself. Setting: - Outer space – Conventional to the sci-fi genre, and in this instance, conveys that the astronaut is isolated. - Moon base – Another example of futuristic advancement in technology, and indicates his profession. Props: - Robots / Computers / Satellites – These props are conventional to the sci-fi genre, and indicate a futuristic setting as the technology is far more advanced than ours - Moon vehicles – Another example of futuristic and advanced technology.
- 7. Mise-en-Scene Body Language: - Confident – Suggests that he is very good at what he does, and trusts in his own abilities, which then further suggests he has been in that job role a long time. Moreover, it implies that he is used to his situation and environment. Facial Expressions: - Bored – Suggests that he finds his job repetitive, which then implies that he’s been doing it for a long time. May also suggest loneliness as there is no one to talk to/interact with, or any form of real entertainment. - Concentration – Implies that his job is complicated, and requires hard work to ensure it is done correctly
- 8. Editing In the opening sequence many of the takes are quite long which reflects the dull lifestyle of the astronaut. Along with this editing is simplistic and this reflects the realism of the film. The simplistic editing and long cuts also shows how this is the astronauts day to day job and how the work he’s doing unexciting for him even though it is in space and to the audience that seems very exciting. Dissolve transitions are used throughout the sequence. One notable one is from the title to an establishing shot of where the main character is based. This shot is also a convention of the sci-fi genre as it shows the moons surface and space. The dissolve transition is used a lot in the sequence and links the images together to establishes the setting whilst taking us closer throughout the sequence to the main character. Another piece of editing used in the sequence is CGI which is used to create the moon vehicles when the main character is driving off to and then into a giant digging machine inside a smaller buggy. This CGI clearly conveys the sci-fi genre as it shows space vehicles and futuristic vehicles which are both clearly defined sci-fi items.
- 9. Effect on the Audience The opening engages the audience through creating enigmas. The main enigmas are: why is he there? Why is he the only one there? What's going to go wrong?. By having the energy advert at the beginning of the opening the audience wants to know what's happening on Earth and whether the Energy Is doing what they tell us it will. The use of the robot also engages the audience as often in sci-fi films robots are seen or portrayed as the villains and in this sequence we clearly see that the astronaut is alone with the robot so we wonder whether the robot will turn or already is evil. Through the simplistic editing, lack of human to human dialogue, the fact we only see one human and the sad music an atmosphere of loneliness is created. The audience is encouraged to keep watching because the opening doesn’t answer any enigmas, it just creates them.
- 10. Non-Diegetic The non-diegetic sound throughout the clip is a soundtrack. The music sounds as if it is building up to something which intrigues the audience whilst at the same time it has a sad/lonely yet serious feel to it. The music also softens/lowers in pitch when the astronaut exits the moon base to go into the moon vehicle. Diegetic The diegetic sound in the clip is mostly sound effects such as beeping of technology or the noise of vehicles moving around and this conveys the sci-fi genre to the audience. Another piece of diegetic sound used is the voice of the robot and this voice is used to tell the audience what is happening but its monotone drone shows how lonely it is on the station. In the sequence there is also no human to human dialogue which implies that a part of the story could be about the astronauts struggle with loneliness. Another sound effect used which conveys the sci-fi genre is the sound of the airlock as it is a sound which is only associated with the sci-fi genre.
- 11. Type of shot Extreme long shots of locations and in the advert for the energy company which immerse the audience in the films world and makes it seem more real. There are also extreme close ups of peoples faces to show their happiness, and by putting this in the companies advert we assume that the company is good. There are a range of different shots to help convey and create atmosphere, such as, the shot of the mans feet: Where is he? Who is he? We are shown establishing (location) shots to show the audience where the film is based and to reinforce the genre of sci-fi Throughout the sequence we also get lots of close ups and long shots which highlight the simplicity and practicality of the moon base. The camerawork is very slow and sedated which reinforces the idea that the work and life on the moon is dull and monotonous for the astronaut. This also reinforces the films realistic approach to life and space as everything seems realistic and plausible unlike many sci-fi films.
- 12. Camera angles In the advert at the beginning of the sequence we are shown the a high angle shot of the companies factories, this helps to convey to the audience the power/impact of the factories and the companies new energy scheme There are also eye-line match of the children in the advert to try and show the audience that the children are equal to them and to make the audience feel involved in the film. We also get an eye-line match of the astronaut when he is in the buggy driving and because the camera moves with the buggy the audience feels as if it is in the buggy with him.