Opening sequence analysis: 21 Jumpstreet

Opening sequence analysis: 21 JumpStreet.

A pair of underachieving cops are sent back to a local high school to blend in and bring down a synthetic drug ring. 

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Writer: Michael Bacall

Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube.

Institutions: Columbia Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures, Relativity Media, Original Film and SJC Studios. 

The film opens with the year at which it is set in. This gives the audience an insight as to why the characters may be dressed, talk or act the way the do, it also explains why the song "The real slim shady". 

The scene then leads on to show a yellow school bus, this shows the audience that it is set in a typical American high school. The shot then goes to a mid shot and focuses on one of the main characters. The colours that the audience is presented with portray a bold effect which adds a serious tone. 
 As an audience we are introduced to one of the characters just by this one swift change of shot. Although we are introduced to the first character, there is an enigma as we can only see the back of the character. This limits the audience to information and confuses them, therefore they have to try and figure out who he is and why they can only see the back of him. As the character steps off of the bus, the camera zooms slightly on to him which tells the audience who their main focus should be. The lighting on this scene is bright and is uplifting. 
The text that is shown every few seconds flashes and is in the colours of blue, red and white. These colours, flash effects and the siren sound effect indicates that the film is associated with the police. 
Further on in the scene, the other high school students are all together, talking, socialising and are in groups, however this particular characters that we are following round is by himself and is not talking to anyone, this therefore signals that he may be a very lonely character with limited friends and social groups. 
The characters attention is then drawn to the prom poster that is being promoted in the back. The poster is a common characteristic of a high school. 
Next we are finally able to see the characters face, his appearance correlates to the song that is playing. This is because Slim Shady was an iconic celebrity back in 2005 and was seen as 'cool' and was able to fit in and therefore the character Schmidt (first introduced to) is dressed like him in hope that he can fit in.
The goofy smile and wave suggests that Schmidt is trying to make friends with someone and is not popular, 'cool'  or able to fit in with others.  Schmidt proceeds to again focus on the prom poster, this indicates to the audience that he is looking for someone to go with. 
As soon as Schmidt looks away from the poster an attractive young girl is walking in his direction, he then becomes awkward, nervous and panicked, from his body language you are able to identify that he is uncomfortable around girls. The scene then progresses to him stopping the girl and talking to her, in the background the music quietens down and you are bale to hear his heart beat, this signals to the audience that he is nervous when trying to talk to girls and it isn't a regular occurrence for him.  

The shot then turns into a shot-reverse-shot so the conversation can begin. Schmidt then proceeds to talk, however he keeps repeating himself which shows he' not a confident person and emphasises his anxiety when talking to girls. 
The camera proceeds to zoom him on his expressions we are able to identify how he is feeling.  As their conversation continues, it is shortly interrupted by a boy who is seen to be the opposite of Schmidt and is 'popular', this boy is Jenko and is much more confident than Schmidt. 
As Schmidt is interrupted and is laughed at he then denies that he was asking the young girl (Melody) to the prom and again we are able to see how insecure and nervous he is around girls and popular people. 
Jenko then starts to mock and make fun of Schmidt which emphasises Jenko's character as the 'popular' boy. He also talks about how Schmidt is a 'nerd' and isn't good enough for Melody, this then embarrasses Schmidt. 
The school bell then rings and Jenko is called to the principals office which indicates he is  a trouble maker. Schmidt then leaves and is again by himself and lonely. 
Once Jenko is in the principals office, he is more concerned about being prom king and popular than the fact that he hasn't achieved any good grades. 
The next bilateral shot portrays the two characters are mirroring each other. The pillar on the left has the prom poster which shows that Jenko is the popular one out the two, whereas Schmidt  is still lonely, although the boys are from opposite worlds they have in common that they're both upset and sad.  The background music turns to dreary music so that the audience feels sympathy for them. They both shortly get up and leave. 

Movie Clip evauation:

Director Research:

Camera movement: steadicam.

Camera movement: Steadicam.

A director may choose to use the steadicam camera movement because they would need to film something that is moving during the scene however would need the shot to be smooth without any mistakes, even whilst on an uneven surface or whilst moving quickly. 

A director may choose to use a steadicam shot on a person because the actor may be moving fairly quickly and the director would like to have a smooth shot of them moving without any additional camera movement. An actor may be moving quickly and swiftly or they may be moving slower and therefore the director would need a shot of them with the camera keeping up with the actor. For example:

Example from the film The Shining:                          Example from the film Titanic:

A director may choose to use a steady cam on a shot of scenery more than an object, however they may also need to film an object based on what it may be and why it needs to be filmed. A director would more likely need and want to film a shot of scenery with a steadicam because that way they are able to produce an accurate shot of content. For example:

Example from the film Reservoir Dogs:                         Example from the film Saving Private Ryan:

 

Example clip from the film Goodfellas:

Camera movement: dolly.

Camera movement: Dolly.

A director may choose to use the dolly camera movement because they need to film a scene whilst in motion however instead of the camera moving back and forth it would mainly move around in a circle. The dolly camera movement is where the camera is put on a track and therefore the camera moves around but in a sequence.

A director may use the dolly camera movement on a person if the actor or person is moving or if they for some reason would have the camera moving around them. If a person or actor is being interrogated for example the camera movement may move back and forth to show their panic or to show the quick process and thoughts that they might be going through. For example:

Example from the films Star Trek and The Shining:      Example from the TV show Sherlock Holmes:

A director may use the dolly camera movement on an object or scenery because they would like to capture the essence that the object or scene is within. The director may use the dolly camera effect if they would like to film the scenery that the content is set within. For example:

Example from the film Hugo:                                                   Unknown example:

Camera movement: Hnadheld

Camera movement: Handheld

A director may choose to use a hand held camera, instead of using a tripod or other piece of equipment because they may need the camera action to be fairly quick but not smooth, therefore they would choose to use a handheld camera. A director may also need to travel and does not want to pack too much camera equipment. 

A director may choose to use a handheld camera on an actor or person because they are moving quite swiftly and the camera is required to follow them shortly after. For example: 

Two examples from the film Black Swan:

A director may choose to use a handheld camera on an object because they do not need to use a large amount of camera equipment on a still object. However the director may also use a hand held camera on scenery for a 'shaky' panning of a scene. For example:

Example from the film District 9:      Example from the film 28 Days Later:
 

Example clip from the film Black Swan:

Camera movement: zoom out.

Camera movement: Zoom out.

A director may choose to use the zoom out camera movement because they would like the subject of the frame to be further away from the lens,therefore they would use the zoom out to do this. A director could also choose to use this on an object for the same reason. 

A director may choose to use the zoom out movement on an actor or person because they would like the audience to view the actor or person from a further distance than the previous movement they were in. A director may also use the zoom out movement on someone because they would like to end the scene with the actor in the shot however with an effect. For example:

Example from the film Goodfellas:                                Example from the film La Haine: 

A director may choose to use the zoom out movement on an object or scenery because they want the viewer to see the object or scene from a different perspective and also for effect. Therefore they may use the zoom out effect to end a scene or to end a film. For example:

Example from the film Poltergeist:             Example from the film Lord of the rings:                                              

 

Example clip from the film Goodfellas:

Frames: Aerial.

Frames: Aerial.

A director would choose to use an Aerial shot because they would like the audience to view the content from a different perspective and view. The director would most likely have a good reason as to why they would like to use aerial frame. They could want to shoot a scene from a great height therefore would need to use the aerial specified frame.

A director could choose to use an aerial frame on an actor or person because they would like to film or need to film the actor or person from a great height therefore would need this specified frame. The director may also want or need to film the subject outside from a height or high perspective. For example:

Example from the film The Devil Wears Prada:       Example from the film Enemy Of The State:

A director would most likely not film an object as such from an aerial perspective, however they may choose to film scenery using an aerial frame. The director may also choose to use an aerial frame to end a scene, pan out or end a film maybe a cliff hanger. For example:

Example from the soap Eastenders:     Example from the film World War Z:

 

Example clip from the British soap Eastenders:

Frames: Bird's eye.

Frames: Bird's eye.

A director would choose to use a bird's eye view shot because they would like the audience or viewer to gain a different perspective, therefore the director would use bird's eye view so the audience can enjoy the content from a different angle.

A director may choose to use a bird's eye view on a actor or person because they would like the audience or viewer to watch the actor from a diverse perspective or angle. The director may also choose to use bird's eye view because they would like the actor or person to be viewed from a bird's perspective. For example:

Example from the film The Avengers:                          Example from the TV show Friends:

 
A director may choose to use a bird's eye view on scenery instead of an object. This is because the director would like the audience or viewer to see a specific piece of scenery from a new perspective instead of just a 'normal' shot. For example:
Example from the film127 Hours:      Example from the film Enemy Of The State:
  
Example clip from the film Zodiac:

Frames: Point of view.

Frames: Point of view shot.

A director would choose to use a point of view shot because it allows the audience to be put into the actor's position. The director is trying to assist the audience in feeling the same emotions as the actor and therefore the audience feel as though they are included within the moment that which they are viewing.

A director would only use a point of view shot on an actor, it is extremely rare that the director would use it on an object. The director is trying to cause the audience or view to feel the same emotions and experience as the actor that is in the film or content that is being filmed. For example:

Example from the film Mean girls:                           Example from the film Gizmodo India:

Example from the film The Royal Tenenbaums:
 
Example clip from the film The Royal Tenenbaums:
                                               Example clip from the film Mean Girls:

Frames: Worms eye view.

Frames: Worm's eye view.

A director would choose to use a worm's eye view because it portrays the view from a third perspective and is useful for mostly Disney and Pixar films. A worms eye view is able to display a different scale of perspective that an audience would not think of. 

A director would choose to use a worm's eye view on a person or actor because they would like to show the audience a perspective that they may not think about or that is unexpected. A director would most likely use a worm's eye view on an actor because someone or something has turned small or if they already are small. For example:

Example from the film Honey I Shrunk The Kids:      Example from the film The Witches:

 

A director would most likely use the worm's eye view on an object to show the scale of largeness or to show how small someone or something is in comparison to the object that is being portrayed. This then displays to the audience the difference in size between two objects. For example:

Examples from the film Ant Bully:

 

Example clip from the film Honey I Shrunk The Kids:

Camera movement: whip pan

Camera Movement: Whip pan.

A whip pan is when the camera is transitioning into another scene however would like to show how swiftly the change is. A director would mainly choose to use it because they are showing the change in a period of time. 

A director would choose to use a whip pan on a actor or person because they may be showing the change in a person through a whip pan say if they are moving from the present to the future or during a flashback. For example:

Two examples from the film The shining:

A director may not choose to use a whip pan on an object, however they may choose to use it because they are filming scenery or a dramatic change in a specific scene. They may also use a whip pan in an action shot if it is a fast scene. For example:

Two examples from the film Whiplash: