Analysis of an opening sequence

The opening sequence for James Bond 007 Skyfall begins with the main
protagonist James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) falling into the deep
depth of the cold blue waters. This somehow links in with the title but
instead of falling from the sky as the title suggests he is actually sinking
which can also be seen as or interpreted as falling. The opening
sequences for James bond films usually links in with the title for example
James Bond Casino Royale opening sequence seemed cartoonish and
depicted pictures you would normally see on cards such as diamonds,
kings, spade also including colours associated with casinos such as green,
red and black. Whilst with this opening sequence that I am analysing blue
and black are seen as dominant colours, black being the colour of
sophistication and class also connoting darkness and blue
representing/connoting a calm nature also linking in with the smoothing
non-diegetic sound played in the background.

The scene shown here shows a someone grabbing his wrist thus connoting
someone could be trying to help him or bring him down to the darkness of
despair. The opening shot tells the audience the name of the production
company behind the film.

It also tells the audience the cast behind it, first being the main
protagonist Daniel Craig showing that he has a crucial role in the film
itself, this goes in order of importance in the film. Daniel Craig is well
known for playing the role of James Bond in the previous films. The name
also brings more audience because there may be fans of the famous actor.
Then telling us the author of the book James Bond (Ian Fleming), they
show his name because if theres anyone a fan of the author they would
be more likely to see the film. Shortly afterwards it finally shows the title
of the film Skyfall in white bold letters. During the opening shot first we
see James Bond sinking it then goes into a close up of someone grabbing
his hand interpreting it as help, only to realise moments later in a wide
shot that he is being pulled down by a huge hand, thus connoting
someone is trying to drag him down into darkness denoting the colour
black throughout the opening sequence. After this the title skyfall appears.

The scene here shows a wide shot of James Bond fading away slowly
sinking into the depths of partly lit waters. This connotes that he is being
forgotten as he is vanishes from sight or the hes undercover. After the
title is shown, all the relevant casts are mentioned so the audiences will
know who stars in the film going in the order of importance.

Front view tracking shot is shown in this scene as weapons falling from the
sky linking in with the title, as the weapons hit the ground they resemble
graves which are already there, this connotes there will be a lot of deaths
in the film and from the way it comes down from the black clouds tells the
audience that there is a dark element to the plot.

As the front view tracking shot continues the scene turns from blue to
black and red connoting something sinister will happened. The colour red
connotes that there will be blood spilled which is inevitable in an action
adventure genre. The co-producers are shown to the audience after the
actors tell us audience they are not as well-known but still important. As
this scene carries on it zooms in on James bond stern face and onwards
through his blue eye connoting wisdom and intelligence.

As the
opening
sequence progresses it shows James Bond in the middle of a room with
pillars cautiously looking around as it goes into a wide shot. It then shows
a bird eye view of him shooting life like shadows. Many more people are
mentioned to notify the audience who was behind the scene, these are all
opening credits.
Mise en scene
Throughout the opening sequence, the uses of props were only weapons
such as guns and knives which fits the action adventure genre and the
film because James bond is known as a film which has a lot of fighting
within it. The location was mostly set underwater throughout the opening
sequence signifying darkness and fear. Some parts included a graveyard
connoting death, which will incur in the film. The costumes used
throughout the opening sequence were suits used by the protagonist. The
suit connotes him being smart, professional and sophisticated. The
lighting in the opening sequence presents itself as being dark to connote a
dark element.
Sound, Editing and Cinematography
There is no diegetic sound throughout the opening sequence, which is
quite unusual for an action/adventure opening sequence and goes against
the codes and conventions. Instead, the gunshots are seen but are silent
and there isnt any speech throughout the opening sequence this adds to
the surreal element. The editing shows many close ups and medium shots
as well as wide shots to show actions on a bigger scale. The constant nondiegetic sound heard throughout is the called Skyfall made by Adele
written specifically for this film. The song is in fact the opposite of you
would hear for an action adventure genre.
Iconography
Iconography has been used where appropriate such as guns, knives,
swords, blood, grave stones, skulls, shadows. From iconography alone, the
audience may think the film genre would be considered a thriller or horror.
However the lighting, characters and pace suggests otherwise.