Opening Sequences - Introducing Character

Spectre: The opening sequence introduces the main protagonist of Spectre - James Bond. From his actions, from his costume and his movement (alongside music and props) we learn an awful lot about his character.

His suit suggests he is sophisticated and the way that he walks shows that he is confident and in control. The way he holds the weapon he carries implies he is experienced and dangerous. The fact that he walks on the edge of a high roof top suggests that he's fearless. The iconic theme music reinforces these character traits.

We see that he is a deadly shot and again his fearlessness is shown when he doesn't flinch when the building opposite explodes. We also see that he is a man who thinks on his feet as he quickly reacts to the building collapsing around him without panicking.

As he makes his escape we see that he is incredibly fit and agile as he leaps from wall to wall as the building collapses. Towards the end of the scene as Bond fights his enemy on board, and often hanging out of, a helicopter reinforces many of these traits but also suggests that he has a disregard of his own safety and that he is willing to do anything in the name of his country.




The Wolf of Wall Street: The opening sequence the The Wolf of Wall Street introduces the main protagonist Jordan Belfort. Through a combination of his actions, the setting, costume and props and through him directly addressing the audience we learn a number of things about his character.

The first shot of him is from a low angle which suggests he is powerful and in control. This is reinforced by the suit he wears and his surroundings which we assume is his home. It is instantly implied that he is wealthy, something that is reinforced as the scene progresses.

As he talks we get the sense that he is confident and arrogant as he openly boasts about the amounts of drugs he takes on a daily basis. By looking directly at the camera we get a sense that he is smug. Many of these character traits are reinforced as he throws his glass of orange juice into his own hedge, safe in the knowledge that one of his servants will clean it up for him.

His wealth is emphasised through both the prop of his car and the setting of the grounds. His power is reinforced as he enters his workplace, a huge skyscraper in downtown Manhattan. We also get the sense that he is reckless, consuming huge amounts of cocaine in his office. The fact that he throws $100 bills into the rubbish bin after using them to sniff cocaine emphasises both his wealth and arrogance. As the scene ends he walks into the larger office where it is clear he is idolised by is workers who treat him like a celebrity.




Raging Bull: This is a very famous opening sequence. Robert DeNiro’s Jake LaMotta is ready to fight, sparring to opera music by Pietro Mascagni. But instead of moving with the action, the music runs against the scene, as it is very rare to find classical opera in the background of a fighting scene and breaks the conventions of the genre. Title designer Dan Perri explains that even the title itself serves as an intro to the central character.

The way the character is introduced in this opening sequence is very different to the previous two I have looked at but the audience is still able to identify a number of character traits that are important throughout the rest of the narrative. We can establish that the boxer is a loner and the slow motion and music combine with his figure behaviour to suggest that he is graceful. The fact that he spars alone suggests that he is dedicated to his profession. The framing of the shots with him in the ring and the ropes in the foreground suggest that he is encaged, trapped and imprisoned by boxing.

It is amazing how much information can be delivered about a character in one shot without dialogue or interaction with any other character