Analysis of the opening title of ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’

At the beginning the title of the film is displayed in a large font that catches the viewers eyes. The editor and producers names are in slightly smaller text. The transitions in this opening are non-linear and don’t seem to have any sort of specific structure to them. There is some use of slow motion allowing the viewer to engage more in that particular shot and there is also a rough effect over the past shots to demonstrate a past time. It shows that it was filmed quite a while ago meaning the characters would have been a lot younger. Also, the flashbacks fade in showing the contrast between their happy child hood and now a days when they are all grown up.

In every part of the beginning there is a clear establishing shot to let the viewer know exactly what is going on and to show the scene around. There are many hand held shots in the opening suggestion someone in the past filmed the footage themselves. There are also a lot of planning shots when the two characters, perhaps brothers, are walking in the distance together through the fields. There is zooming in and out perhaps showing how the parents cared and loved them and suggestion a previous happiness. The camera flickers between the flashback with the happy family and the present with the two brothers alone walking on a never ending journey.

The non-diegetic sound track playing the background is slow and brings nostalgia into the opening and creates a sadness. The song is more on the western side therefore there would be American influences.

The lighting is gloomy so this could suggest the film to be a drama. There are also no bright colours that attract the attention so the atmosphere would be slightly down. However, at the beginning there is a bright light which opens up the past section and this could suggest new life. The old footage is generally bright so maybe the characters’ lives use to be more optimistic than their present times. The props were childish when they were younger and they were fun therefore it shows the family cared and loved them and they had a good upbringing. The men in the present day are carrying big sacks as bags which could contain something they stole, food or maybe even a dead body. The costume in the flashbacks were similar for both of the characters suggesting they were brothers which included old fashioned country clothing. In the present day they wear big dark jackets and hats suggesting insecurities or that they are hiding something. It is mostly set in a loving home In a festive season demonstrating happiness.

The different Editing, Camera, Sound and Mise en Scene techniques draw together a good opening that leaves the viewer wondering what is going to happen next and the reason for the past to be brought up. This would be generally what the producer would want to happen in the viewers mind.