R+P POST 10: Street Dance opening sequence analysis

Opening sequence analysis

Street dance -

I picked this film as an opening sequence analysis because the narrative is very similar to the narrative which we are replicating. The dilemma of pressures of society and wanting to embark on their hobbies. Within street dance it is dance however within our film it is skateboarding.

The establising shots are extreme long shots of a London skyline which sets out where the film will take place but also gives it an urban feel. The warm colours within the shot portray the location as a place of hope and opportunity.  

This long shot introduces us to one of the main characters within the film, she is framed within the frame by the window behind her whig makes her central to the shot. Objects surrounding her close her in and the use create quite a vertical frame make them appear almost like bars. This could symbolise a prison and entrapment within her current situation which juxtaposes her expressive dancing. Her character here is starting to become more dimensional as we are able to see the different sides to her, both the trapped and the free, expressive side which are the two sides that we are aiming to create with our main protagonist in our film.

We then move on to a long shot of one of the teams from street dance practising, this throws the audience straight into the action and gives them an idea of the film being action packed from the start.

This is another one of the main characters who is framed alone in a medium shot against a wall of graffiti. He very much blends in with the background which could suggest how his character blends in with his surroundings. This view of the character is exacerbated by the fact he is framed alone. We build more of a personal relationship with this character as he is framed alone. The opening shots of characters are very important in conveying to the audience how they should be viewed.