Red Eye Opening sequence analysis

Narrative:
The narrative structure is linear, this is flowing and helps the audiences understanding of the plot. The opening shot is a panning shot of family photographs, this instantly gives the audience an idea of relationships of the characters in the film and also a relationship between the audience and the characters. As we are first shown a shot of a young woman, this suggests that she is one of the main characters in the film and that we are meant to be on her side. Later on we are introduced to a conversation between the hotel receptionist and to regular visitors to the hotel, their reservation cannot be found, and so further stress and complications are added to this scene.
In the taxi her father calls her in the middle of another conversation so he is put on hold, this adds more complications to the scene.

Codes & Conventions:

The opening sequence includes several codes and conventions such as The question answer model as the audience do not know what is in the box, concealment because the audience do not know who stole the wallet, partial vision is included as we are not shown the faces of the thieves and Transform City.

Camerawork:

The camerawork that is used creates suspense as of the type of shots and camera angles, like the several close ups of photographs and of the fathers belongings, these shots also provide background information of his family. A shot reverse shot is used in the hotel to show the conversation more clearly and to identify who is talking and who is listening.

Mise-en-scene:

The weather in the opening sequence conveys the females stressed situation, as the weather is stormy this may also be used to portray events that may happen later in the film (pathetic fallacy). Also the angry taxi driver and the angered man in the queue convey the stress of the situation. However there is a sense of safety in the airport of all the people that are around her, this may suggest that later on she will become unsafe looking for help.

Sound:

There is non-diegetic music used that is gains speed which increases the amount of suspense and it comes to the end of the opening credits. The music is pounding which may also signify a heart beat or excitement. There is also diegetic sound used, such as dialogue, the sound of the plane and thud of when the wallet gets stolen. Diegetic sound is heard when she is on her way to the airport, there are sounds of vihicle horns and screeching of cars.

Editing:
The editing in the opening sequence is fairly fast paced between conversations, this may be to convey the
confusion of the people having the conversations and their thoughts.

Graphics:
The graphics used for the credits are black on white to highlight them, and are in a typewriter style font. They are also centre placed and are big and bold, and fade into the background, this may be symbolic of planes which is what the film is about.