Deconstruction of The Dark Knight

Deconstruction of film opening: The Dark Knight

camera angles, movement

To set the initial scene, a crane shot is used. This pans in over Gotham to establish that the current environment is intense- there is a lot of movement and the city is alive. The camera then pans in slowly to the place of interest. The panning is slow so the audience can take in the visual surroundings. Once action begins, the camera movement remains still but the angles change erratically. This is a method to enhance the movement and action within the scene. Not much time is spent initialising the characters, which could work to hide the identity further of the established "criminals". A man is seen in full shot. The camera pans into a close up to see his mask that is held in his hand. This could be used to evoke feelings of panic or foreshadowing within the audience as they know masks could mean unlawful activity is due to commence. As the scene is initialised, the angle of the camera stays eye-level, which could involve the audience further as rather than feeling subordinate, you feel on the same level as the criminals. 

Editing

The use of close cut editing and the mixture of shots varying from long and short durations helps establish the scene and create the relevant tension in order to make the opening successful.

Mise en scene

The setting is presented as dark and gritty- Gotham is textured in dark, morbid colours and tones. These include variations of gray which could show the clinical and

Conventions of genre

Lighting and sound
Throughout the sequence, there is the use of diegetic and non diegetic