Lord of War opening sequence
1. How does the title sequence establish genre, character and narrative?
The opening to Lord of War demonstrates the life of a bullet from the factory all the way up to it being shot from a gun. It establishes the genre of the film as being and action/drama as the scene itself include scenes of war and suffering. As the scene represents the life of a bullet it clearly establishes that the film is about war and weapons.
2. How does the title sequence attract an audiences interest?
It is a very well shot sequence involving lots of CGI. This allows for a much more detailed story telling as the camera can be shown to be in places not possible. For example one shot shows a view as if you were inside the barrel of the gun.
3. What do you consider to be the target audience of the film and why?
The target audience would be between young adults and adults as the film contains violence, weapons and gore.
4. Describe what you think is happening in the clip. What seems to be significant about what you can see?
The clip shows the life of a bullet from the factory up until being fired from a gun. We see the whole process of how it is made and then transported to its buyers.
5. How do setting, location, props and costume choices contribute to your interpretation of the sequence? Consider what information these convey.
The scene has props such as weapons and machines, which help create realism in the scene, and help make the audience feels as if hat is being shown is really happening. Costumes include typical factory worker outfits as well as the ragged clothing of men fighting in a war.
6. How does the sound shape your responses to the sequence? Comment on dialogue, tone, incidental sound and any music you notice, exploring their impact on your emotional response to the sequence.
The soundtrack to the scene is Buffalo Springfield. Its tempo helps to set the pace of the scene. The scene also contains sound effects of bullets being made as well as the sound of guns being fired. This helps create realism in the scene.
7. How do lighting and colour affect tone and atmosphere? Explore lighting choices, including noticeable use of light and shadow, as well as considering choice of colour.
The beginning of the scene has low dark lighting as it is shot in a dirty arms factory. This creates a slow dull atmosphere, which represents that of one In a real arms factory.
8. How does camera technique contribute to the creation of meaning in this sequence? Consider the effects of camera position and angle, commenting on two or more examples. What is the effect of the handheld camerawork in the final shot?
The use of CGI allows for the scene to have amazing angles. The whole sequence is shot from the view of a bullet. This causes the audience to feel as if they are the bullet in the scene.
9. Consider the ways in which the editing affects our interpretation of what we see in this sequence. How important are pace and continuity in shaping your response to what you see?
The scene has a constant pace throughout and the editing flows. This helps to make the process of the bullet being made and then delivered feel more natural and realistic.
10. How are titles integrated into the sequence and how important are they to understanding?
The titles appear in certain areas of certain shots. Many appear seamlessly above the bullet in order to not interrupt the flow of the scene.
