Film Openings - Manhattan (Representation) // Research

Characters/Social Groups

Scruffy workers staring at the professional woman

Throughout the opening scene no specific main characters are shown. Instead, various long and medium shots of regular people walking in the street are shown. The costumes of these people go from one extreme to another. Some people are construction workers wearing scruffy, old, worn clothes whereas others look like they are from a higher class and are wearing expensive clothes. The scruffy clothes show how those extras in the scene are not very wealthy while the higher class woman wearing expensive clothes shows connotations of power which subverts the archetypal image of women who are usually powerless and passive.  This contrast can easily be seen in the picture here. From this still we can also see the workers are staring at the woman passing by which shows their fascination for this powerful and attractive woman. The fact that they are staring also could show how they are inferior to her and look up to her which emphasises the contrast between the two social classes.

No obvious make up can be seen looking at the characters from this far away as the video isn't in great quality and mainly long and medium shots are used so you don't really see people's faces that clearly.

The only voice heard in the opening scene is a voice over. This voice over has a New York accent which is typical as Manhattan is in New York. The way the voice over talks makes it sound like what he's saying is his train of thought (stream of consciousness) and the words he uses are cleverly put together and really create an idea of the person the voice over is talking about. This stream of consciousness gives the audience the impression that the voice over is pretty relaxed as he happily stumbles over his words and strives to say things in a better way. This really engages the audience as it makes them curious to hear what he's thinking. As well as this as he says 'Chapter 1' at the start and each time he decides to start what he's saying again which strongly suggests to the audience that he may be writing some kind of book or is simply setting off the story that will be the film the audience will see. However, I think he is more likely to be writing a book as it wouldn't make sense for him to stumble over his words for a film that was already made and is about to be played (after the opening scene).

The location that is shown as the voice over is played is the name of the film; Manhattan. This suburb of New York is shown in an interesting way as again, with characters, contrasts in the city are shown. From a busy street to large skyscrapers, this really gives the audience a perspective of the different parts of the location.

Settings/Locations



Grand architecture

A montage of shots from Manhattan is shown, this is an urban area with busy and empty parts. As so many views and shots of it are shown for a short amount of time the viewer doesn't get the chance to look at the smaller details giving the impression that the director didn't think they are very important for the opening of the film. The mise en scene of the shots throughout show mainly a tidy, but sometimes expensive and sometimes cheap looking Manhattan. The expensive areas are shown in the grand architecture and the extent of it. While the 'cheaper' looking Manhattan is when markets/shops are shown that look quite busy and compact (not luxurious).


Busy market

Sound

The opening has a non diegetic piece playing almost entirely throughout. On top of this is a voice over which comes in at 0:22. As I've said before this voice over is like a steam of consciousness. The piece of music playing is called 'Rhapsody in Blue' and is by George Gershwin, an America composer who is mentioned in the voice over. Having this music by George Gershwin really sets in the audience's minds how the instrumental music can really portray Manhattan in a good way. At 1:58 the music suddenly builds in dynamics and has a much stronger sound. At this point the voice over has finished and various extra long shots of the Manhattan skyline are shown. Some have the sun in the background peeking through the buildings which really adds a nice touch to the framing as it makes the place seem more magnificent. The dynamics increasing in the music really impacts greatly on the mood given off as the audience can only be stunned by what they are hearing and listening. It sets them on their way to only know that it is very likely the storyline will be set in Manhattan and is about someone who lives in Manhattan.

Creating Mood/Atmosphere

No lighting is used in this opening as the shots are simply a montage of locations in Manhattan so they don't need any artificial lighting. The whole opening is in black and white which makes the city seem more old fashioned, in a good way and romanticises the whole area. I think having black and white really gives off a feeling of nostalgia and how the 'good old days' were better. As well as this I think some shots look nicer in black and white instead of having all the colours that would be seen. This feeling of nostalgia is enhanced by the non diegetic music played throughout.