THE OPENING OF INCEPTION (2010):
Inception opens with a shot of a violent sea. The sea can represent emotion and or action in the film. In this case, the violent sea gives the impression of a hectic emotional journey for the main character in this movie. This is also a strange setting to open on, as it is not a steady ideal (on which a realization can take place and the characters are set on a journey). Instead, the sea gives the impression that the character never had a steady opening and has always been emotionally disturbed, or that the film starts in the middle of a crisis.
The character is washed up on a beach, this is obviously accidental which makes the next shot unexpected; The first thing the character sees is two children playing. The children are faced away from him which creates an edge. They are also placed far from him, and he stretches his hand towards them, which hints that he knows them but also that they are some kind of mirage or memory (but definitely unreal).
A foreign soldier, holding a gun, pokes his back. The soldier represents violence and a world at war/security, and, because the character is being analyzed by the soldier, this means that the character is seen as a threat. The soldier speaks a different language, so this is now set in a foreign country.
The main character carries only a gun, which hints at a violent life.
The soldier shouts to another guard on some rocks and the camera pans up to a castle like building on a cliff. The soldiers are definitely now for security rather than part of a war, and the house represents a higher power to them as the angling of the camera makes the house intimidating.
There is no life apart from the humans in this clip, which makes this not a very nice place (Normally a lush area is seen as a paradise, this is opposite to that).
Inception opens with a shot of a violent sea. The sea can represent emotion and or action in the film. In this case, the violent sea gives the impression of a hectic emotional journey for the main character in this movie. This is also a strange setting to open on, as it is not a steady ideal (on which a realization can take place and the characters are set on a journey). Instead, the sea gives the impression that the character never had a steady opening and has always been emotionally disturbed, or that the film starts in the middle of a crisis.
The character is washed up on a beach, this is obviously accidental which makes the next shot unexpected; The first thing the character sees is two children playing. The children are faced away from him which creates an edge. They are also placed far from him, and he stretches his hand towards them, which hints that he knows them but also that they are some kind of mirage or memory (but definitely unreal).
A foreign soldier, holding a gun, pokes his back. The soldier represents violence and a world at war/security, and, because the character is being analyzed by the soldier, this means that the character is seen as a threat. The soldier speaks a different language, so this is now set in a foreign country.
The main character carries only a gun, which hints at a violent life.
The soldier shouts to another guard on some rocks and the camera pans up to a castle like building on a cliff. The soldiers are definitely now for security rather than part of a war, and the house represents a higher power to them as the angling of the camera makes the house intimidating.
There is no life apart from the humans in this clip, which makes this not a very nice place (Normally a lush area is seen as a paradise, this is opposite to that).
THE OPENING OF PULP FICTION (1994):
The first frame is the definition of the word 'pulp'. It is the second meaning that is relevant (a magazine or book containing lurid subject matter..). This sets the tone of the film immediately. This fades out, which hints that this is intended to be in mind throughout the film?
It cuts to a medium shot which introduces the main characters in this scene: A couple having a conversation while eating dinner. The main man is smoking and seems relaxed, meaning he is being very casual, and his use of clothing suggests he is some sort of a rebel. The woman is a contrast, she sits upright and seems happy. There is a slight sound behind their conversation, and the view of the street which lets the audience know they are in a busy environment. Out of dialogue, the couple are otherwise ordinary. This contrasts to the stereotypical view of criminals (dark outfits, discussing crime in an isolated area).
The waitress looks happy to serve them and the woman is pleasant towards her. She's a bit too smiley though, which suggests to the audience that the way she acts to strangers is different to her true self.
When a new prop is introduced (the gun), the massive contrast between the comfort and the violence the gun symbolizes, makes the audience on edge. When they stand with guns, they are seen as dominant because of the angle of the camera.