Moon Opening Sequence Analysis

Genre: Sci-fiThe opening sequence expresses the Sci-fi genre well through a series of codes and conventions. These conventions include: Space, technology, colours used (silver/white), narrative of the film, typography.The narrative of the film is a typical story to a sci-fi film. Technologically advanced and harnessing solar energy for Earth, the advert in the beginning help create and set up the story for the film. The classic convention space is widely known as part of sci-fi genre. This helps to directly link with a particular genre. The typography used within the sequence uses a sans-serif font which helps make it look modern and futuristic. This is helped by the silver and white colours used to give it a more sci-fi feel. Obviously technology in a sci-fi film is a given, and the use of the robot on the ship is a key convention to help show that it is sci-fi. The setting plays a key role in genre as it is the moon, this not only conveys the sci-fi genre but also advances the narrative.

Narrative• The opening of the film and the plot is given to the audience through the use of an

advert. This advert shows what was wrong with the planet and ends with the solution to the problem. Not only does this advert set the plot but it explores the setting (space/moon), advances in the human race are identified with space mining, also using a new form of energy referred to as ‘golden’, this adds an enigma and make the audience want to find out what the replacement energy is.

• The character and location of the film instantly gets the audiences attention , the rugged spaceman suggests that he has been doing this job for many years as he knows exactly what to do. This gives information of his duration in this job which links to the corporate company, who created the advert. The monotonous robot also identifies the repetition of the astronauts everyday life-style. This robot also expresses loneliness as there are no other humans shown on the base of operations. The robot also sets up an enigma which is if he will turn evil, which happens in a lot of sci-fi films.

• The moon base evidences the futuristic setting the film is set in but also gives a classic feel to it, with the abstract shapes often associated with futuristic designs. The space suit is however not sparkling clean but rather dirty and the treadmill also suggests that not all technology is that advanced.

Titling White, sans serif (looks modern which matches with the futuristic genre.) The text also matches the main titles which associate them together. Shadows and reflections within the sequence help reflect the genre. The colour changes to match what is changing to make it seem more fluent and for smoother transitions.

The titles are angled and sized to fit into the setting, for example the running machine. This looks as though the text isn’t edited in and looks like it’s actually in the scene. Another example would be text in front of the wall, this makes it less distracting for the audience so it doesn’t take away from what is happening within the sequence. The title ‘moon’ fades in, this is effective because it all blends in and fades in together. The credits move with the film, which gives the effect that the titles are part of the setting and fixed in the scene. This is useful because it is the opening sequence of the film. The colour is a metallic silver which makes it look more futuristic and also helps make it look more modern.The order of the titles follow the common order (the main actors name is before the title which shows he’s the highest bidding.) This is following the common order for film credits and is shown through top billing with the main actor coming first.

Costume:- Mismatched/unfashionable everyday clothing – This suggests that he doesn’t have access to resources. It also suggests

he doesn’t care about his appearance because he is alone.- Astronaut suit – Conventional to the genre and indicates his job. - Name tag – Indicates that he’s a professional, this also links him to the company mentioned in the advert at the

beginning. Setting:- Outer space – Conventional to the sci-fi genre, this also conveys that he is isolated.- Moon base – Futuristic advancement in technology, and indicates his profession.

Props:- Robots / Computers / Satellites – Conventional to the sci-fi genre, a futuristic setting as the technology is far more

advanced.- Moon vehicles – Another example of futuristic and advanced technology.

Body Language:- Confident – Suggests that he is very good at what he does, and trusts in his own abilities, which then further suggests he

has been in that job role a long time.

Facial Expressions:- Bored – Suggests that he finds his job repetitive, which then implies that he’s been doing it for a long time. May also

suggest loneliness as there is no one to talk to/interact with, or any form of real entertainment. - Concentration – Implies that his job is complicated, and requires hard work to ensure it is done correctly

Mise-en-Scene

Colour:- Grey / black – This combination of colours suggests that he is alone, this makes the

audience feel that he is lonely. Furthermore, it suggests his work is mundane, and that there is little change in routine, making it very boring.

- White / silver / blue – These colours are all conventional to the genre, and convey a futuristic atmosphere.

Lighting:- Low-key – Links to the grey / black colouring, as this further emphasises that he’s

isolated due to the lack of other life forms, and that his work is repetitive and tiresome.- High-key – Conveys a futuristic atmosphere- Sun flares – These are conventional to the sci-fi genre, and are commonly used in sci-fi

films.

Colour and Lighting

Editing

• Most of the cuts are long which reflects the slow pace of the narrative in the opening.

• The editing is simplistic which reflects realism and also shows how this is his normal everyday life and how the work he’s doing is normal and unexciting for him even though to the audience it’s strange and appears fun.

• There’s a dissolve transition from the title to an establishing shot of where the main character is based. This is repeated again shortly after. This nicely links the images together and establishes the setting.

• The shots where the dissolve effect is used get gradually closer to where the main character is working in the ship. This shows how small his building is compared to the rest of space and also shows how he is alone in space.

• The pace of the editing is increased when he gets ready to go outside to do his job, this fits nicely with the lower tone of the non-diegetic music.

Effects on Audience

The effects that this sequence have on the audience are loneliness, sadness. This is due to the fact that throughout the entire clip there is no human to human dialogue, the only dialogue is the voiceover of the advert, and the main character talking to his robotic friend. This generates loneliness because he is also on the moon where it appears there is nobody else to keep him company.Sadness is created through the start of the advert. The destruction of Earth and what it now appears to be a desolate wasteland for a planet needs help. However as the advert continues there is a sudden change of emotion and hope is created when it starts speaking of a possible solution to all of the problems we are experiencing. The use of the diegetic/non-diegetic music help establish these emotions and the use of silent scenes help reinforce the loneliness that the main character is feeling.

Non-Diegetic- To create atmosphere- Music is building up to something- Serious/sad/lonely music- Non-diegetic music softens/lowers in pitch when the man goes outsideThe use of the non-diegetic music help establish certain emotions that the character and audience feel throughout the sequence. The high pitch tone of the music is also quite typical for a sci-fi film. Not only that but the music lowers as things start to develop i.e. as he goes outside. The music seems to be serious and not friendly, this adds to the created atmosphere of being in space and on the moon alone. This creates enigmas like, “What’s going to happen?”/”What is he doing?”

Diegetic- “ptshhhhht” of air leaving airlock- Beeping - Robotic voice used to say what's happening- Voice over on advert sets up narrative- Diegetic noises convey the sci-fi genre- Cheesy/stereotypical music over advert is satirical- Lack of any human to human dialogue highlights the loneliness on the moonThe diegetic sound within the sequence is typical of a sci-fi film, the sound of buttons and beeps from consoles that look technological. The sound of airlocks whenever doors are opened to the outside creates tension. But he monotonous tone of the robot suggests that it is boring but the voice almost sound robotic.

SOUNDTRACK ANALYSIS

Camerawork • Extreme long shot of locations and make up the advert for the company

to immerse the audience and make them believe it is real. This also helps adds a sense of scale and make the audience realise how big the problem is.

• There are also extreme close ups of peoples faces to show their happiness, therefore making the audience believe that the company is good. However thee are also close ups of sad children to show what the world was like before the company helped.

• There are a range of different shots to help convey and create atmosphere, such as, the shot of the mans feet. Where is he? Who is he?

• We are shown establishing (location) shots to show the audience where the film is based and helps set the scene.

• There are also lots of close ups that show information to the audience like a load ready panel so they can understand the scenario of the film

• The camerawork is very slow and sedate and helps convey the atmosphere and location of the film and shows the place is calm but also mysterious.