Memento (Nolan, 2000, US)

Analysing an opening sequences

Cinematography

In the clip Memento the director has used cinematography to show the statuses of the two different character. An example of this is where the camera is at a low angle looking up at the man in the suit. This shows that this man could have an important role as it shows that he has a higher status from the angle at which it was filmed at. Also there is a second shot which is a high angle of a dead person on the floor. this can show the audience that this man who is dead had a low status, but it makes the audience think what has he done to die as the angle of the camera makes him look weak.

Sound
In the clip Memento the director has used hyperbolic sound to exaggerate certain sounds in the clip. An example of this is when the character in the suit is taking a picture of the dead guy on the floor and as he is taking the picture the sound of the shutter and flash is exaggerated. This suggests to the audience that because he is taking the picture it could be important for the future or it could relate to something that happens later on in the film. Also at the end of the clip there is a small section of dialogue where the character shouts at the man in the suit. this may suggest to the audience that before he got shot he could of been having an argument or that he was trying to do something and the man with the glasses was getting annoyed.

Mise-en-scene

In the clip Memento the director has used mise-en-scene to create meaning. An example of this it the costumes that the character wears, the character in the suit could suggest to the audience that this man could be of importance as he is in large overcoat, this could also mean that he has got something to hide as it looks like it is covering something. also props are used to show meaning. for example the camera that is used to take the picture can mean and show that it is used to capture moments that he doesn't want to forget. the lighting for this sequence is low key lighting, this can show the audience that the location that he is in a dark evil/bad place.

 

editing

in the clip memento the director has used editing to create meaning. in the clip it starts off with slow cuts as nothing exciting is happening but as the clip goes on, the cutting speed of the scene gets quicker. this shows the meaning that as the is played there is going to be more things happening which is being shown at a quicker speed which might show that something is going to be shown, the example of this is where he has shot the person on the floor.