Micro and Macro analysis (14)

The title sequence being analysed is from the film 'Taking of the Pelham 123'.



Micro Analysis
Camera - first shot is a crane shot which is used as establishing shot allowing the audience to be aware the film is set in a busy city (New York).

There are a series of close up and extreme close up shots of key characters which establish their importance in the film. This allows the audience to be aware that they will be seeing more of these characters.

We also get long shots which allow the audience to see setting and costume of characters, which helps them recognise protagonists and antagonists.

There is a two on two shot which established the relationship between two characters. 

Sound - The background sound begins with train screeching and is non-diegetic. The music used is very effective as it established a clear contrast between the protagonists and antagonists. When the camera is on the antagonists the song being played is aggressive and connotes danger and violence whereas the sounds accompanying the protagonist are calm such as whispered conversations and a telephone ringing in the distance.

Mise-en-scene -  There is a clear contrast between the costumes of the protagonist and antagonist. The antagonists are wearing dark and tough clothes such as leather jackets, dark sunglasses and hats which serve to keep their faces hidden. On the other hand, the antagonists are wearing professional work clothes which look non-threatening. There is a lot of blues which connotes with calmness and trustworthiness.  

We can also see the different settings used. We have the protagonists in a work office with a friendly environment surrounding them and then we have the antagonists on a busy city underground station with people rushing to get in and out of the trains.

Editing - As this title sequence is with moving images and text there is a lot of editing involved. The text appears and leaves with a nature of a train, which ties in with the whole theme of the title sequence and the film itself.

There is also a lot of undercraking and overcracking which helps the audience focus on important shots and helps introduce important characters. The focus can be directed towards small but significant things. For example, in this title sequence, there is an overcracking with a close-up shot of an antagonist which allows the audience to notice the gun tattoo on his neck. 

 Also, the shots are edited to the music so this helps makes the editing look seamless.

Macro analysis

• The key plot idea introduced in the title sequence is the antagonists are about to board a train with an organised plan in mind.
• The order that the title sequence is introduced in is City, Antagonists and then protagonists.
• Antagonists are the first of the characters to be introduced followed by the protagonist. The characters are introduced with a series of close-up shots, which help in recognition.

Order Of Credits:
1) Colombia- production company
2) Columbia Pictures and Metro Goldwyn-Mayor pictures - distribution companies
3) Relatively Media
4) Scott Free/Escape Arts - Production
5) Tony Scott - Director
6) Denzel Washington - Starring actor
7) John Travolta - Starring actor
8) Film title- The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3
9) John Turturro - Actor          
10) Luis Guzman - Actor        
11) Michael Rispoli - Actor    
12) James Gendolfini - Actor
13) Frank Wood, John Bejamin Hickey, Gary Basaraba, Ramen Rodriguez - Actors
14) Ghena Akinnagbe, Kathenre Sigismud and Jake Sicillano - Actors/Actress
15) Alex Aluzhsky, Aunjanue Ellis, Tonye Patano, Jason Butler Harner - Actors
16)  Denise Chamlon,CSA - Casting
17) Renee Ehriich  Klafus - Costume Designer
18) Harry Gregson-Williams - Music
19) Linda Farica, Anson Downes - Co-executive producers
20) Chris Lebzon - Editor.
21) Chris Seagers - Production Designer
22) Tobius Schllesser,Asc- Director of Photography.
23) Barry Waldman, Michael Costigan, Frank Kavanaigh - Executive Producers
24) Todd Black, Tony Scott - Producers.

Fight Club

Donnie Branco

Camera- The title sequence begins with an extreme close-up shot of eyes. This suggests that the character that the eyes belong to is very significant. Furthermore, this allows the audience to see the emotion of the character in his eyes- what I gather is sadness.
We also get a series of close-up shots of a few specific characters suggesting they are the key characters in the film. The close ups are also useful as they will help the audience remember the faces of the characters.
We later get another extreme close up of the same eyes that fades into a close-up and reveals the face of the character which implies that he will be the focus of the film.


Editing- The shots fade into each other which gives the title sequence a soft effect. The shots also speed up along with the music which makes all aspects of the sequence flow together.
The images are in black and white which makes the shot more clear and the titles are in white, which helps them fit in with the images if the sequence.

Sound-  There is violin being played in the background (non-diegetic) which is a very emotional instrument. This, therefore, suggests the film may have an emotional or sad aspect to it.

Mise-en-scene- Many props were used to set the tone of the film. For example guns and cars, which set the expectation of the genre or crime. We also see some characters smoking cigars and wearing fedora hats which gives a clue towards their status in society.

Macro analysis

• There is not a specific key plot that is introduced in the title sequence, however, we can gather a sort of mafia group assembling together.
• First, we are introduced to the main character with an extreme close-up of his eyes and then the second character the audience will be following closely with a series of close-up shots. After this, we are introduced to the rest of the "antagonists" with close-up and medium shot depending on the importance of the character.
• The social group introduced in the title sequence is a group of rich 'criminals'.

Order of credits 

1. Mike Newell- director
2. Al Pacino - starring actor
3. Johnny Depp - starring actor
4. Donnie Brasco - title of film
5. Michael Madser - actor
6. Bruno Kirby - actor
7. James Russo - actor
8. Anne Heche - actress
9. Zeljko Ivanev- actor
10. Gerry Becker- actor
11. Zach Grener, Brian Tarantina- actors
12. Robert Miano- actor
13. Audie Bronson, David Robinson - costume designer 
14. Jon Creegory-editor
15. Donald Graham Burt- production designer 
16. Peter Sova-cinematographer
17. Patrick McCormick, Alan Greenspan- executive producers
18. Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodly- authors of book
19. Mark johnson, Barry Levinson - producers
20. Louis Digiamo, Gail Mutrux - producers
21. Paul Attanasio- screenplay
22. Mike Newell- director.