Opening Sequence Analysis of 'Zodiac'

Opening Sequence Analysis of ‘Zodiac’

The director’s proficient adaptation of varied camera shots, suspenseful narrative enigma and eerie dialogue impels the audience into the thriller/mystery genre within the opening sequence of ‘The Zodiac’.

The opening sequence of the movie the ‘Zodiac’ begins with the audience being plunged into the themes of mystery, gore and confusion. The scene starts off with the celebration of the 4^th of July, the Independence Day for those within the United States. The mise-en-scene shows various ordinary houses with the perspective of the camera looking out from a moving car. Within the background, chains of various fireworks persistently explode whilst children play with sparklers, setting the atmosphere of the occasion and creating a neutral mood within the audience. The first few minutes of the sequence consist of a couple that go on a date in a secluded area of land overlooking the town. The dialogue spoken within these few minutes creates a tense and confusing mood for the audience as they can see by the way the characters talk that something execrable may happen. Shots of various cars suspiciously approach the vehicle that the couple are in and then suddenly drive away. Once the cars have gone, the male character says ‘was that your husband?’ This may shock the audience as they may have initially thought the two people were a couple, however, it is evident the female character is cheating on her husband. By the audience gaining this knowledge, it creates a tense atmosphere, as it is probable that one of cars that approach the vehicle may be the husband of the female character. This may create an engaging opening sequence, as the mystery behind the husband may soon be uncovered. This may fulfil the ‘information’ segment of the uses and gratifications theory as the audience may be satisfying their curiosity and general interest of the beginning of the plot.

(Shot of cars approaching vehicle)

As the sequence progresses, Foley is used create the sound of a screeching car within the background as the couple remain seated within their car. However, tension and suspense is created when the male character with the car begins to panic, which is shown through the dialogue when he says, ‘lets go, now’. This creates a sense of urgency as the car slowly approaches them. The use of the word ‘now’ emphasises his desperation to leave, but his inability to due to the fact of the female character driving. This sudden burst of panic could create heightened tension within the audience as they are confused by why the characters may be incredibly afraid, emphasising the genre of the film, thriller. As the scene continues, the door of the other vehicle flies open and a man exits the car, this may be the height of the climax as the audience can foresee something terrible that may soon occur. By the door opening so quickly, the audience may figure out that the character may be angry which further creates a sense of tension and mystery. A bright light from a flashlight also beams into the car as the mysterious character approaches closer to the window where the couple are. As the figure approaches, the male character seated within the car says ‘you really creeped us out’, suggesting that he knew the figure which relieves the suspense for the audience for those few moments. However, suddenly, the characters are both shot multiple times before the mysterious character soon goes back into the other vehicle and drives away. This scene may shock the audience as they are left speechless as to why the characters had been killed and who by. There is a suggestion the killer may be the husband of the female character, however it is never explained so there is a possibility it could be someone else, creation further confusion and mystery within the audience.

(Screen Capture of Character Being Shot)

The use of costume and props within the opening sequence makes it evident that the scene was set within the past as old American cars and clothing are worn and used by the main characters. The music played quietly within the background is also an old pop song, further emphasising the era in which the film is set. The use of dialogue also creates detached feelings between the characters within the opening sequence, as the mood created is rather eerie and mysterious, even though the day in which the film is set is 4^th of July when people are usually in a cheerful mood. By the killer also having no words within the opening sequence of the film, it creates a sense of mystery as the audience are unable to figure out who the person is and even what gender they may be of as only their hand was shown when the shooting took place. The opening sequence for the film generally creates a tense atmosphere for the audience, which is a common feature for thriller films.

Sound:

There are various sounds used within the opening sequence from the use of Foley and music. The sequence starts off with the sound of fireworks, which are used as a representation of the time in which the film is set, a celebrated occasion. Various pop songs have also been played quietly within the background setting the atmosphere for the film and when it was set. The sound of screeching car wheels creates suspense as the expression on the characters faces show fear and the high-pitched noise grabs the attention of the audience. The sound of gunshots are also suppressed, creating mystery as the killer must not have wanted other to hear the shots after he had escaped, creating further mystery

The use of dialogue also creates an eerie atmosphere as a detached feeling is created between the couple shown at the beginning. The words spoken by the characters also create a sense of ambiguity and urgency, as the audience don’t know what is happening and whom the characters are afraid of.

Camera:

Various camera shots had been used within the opening sequence from the film including close ups, tracking shots, and long shots. The tracking shots allow the audience to see the setting and mise-en-scene so that they know what genre the film may be of and what may occur. The long shots were used to create tension as the view of the car approaching from a long distance builds suspense. The close ups could have been used for a dramatic effect to shock the audience. For example, when the female character was shot, a close up had been used to show how she had been killed, creating emotion with the audience as they see the facial expression of how she is experiencing pain.

Editing:

The editing used within the first sequence is very simple so that the audience are not completely confused as to what is happening. Cut shots and fading had been used to create a linked flow throughout the different shots. However, the use of the close up of the gun and other aspects create a sinister and mystifying atmosphere.

(Close up of Gun)

Mise-en-scene:

The props and background for the opening sequence creates the appropriate atmosphere of the 4^th of July. The fireworks and sparklers give a realistic environment and set a somewhat cheerful mood for those within the audience. However, once the characters reach the secluded area, a sinister and unusual atmosphere is created, as the audience are not aware of what may occur next.

(Fireworks at Start of Scene)

Genre Signifiers:

The introduction for the opening sequence could be used to represent a romantic genre as the scene follows a couple going on a date. However, once the killer is introduced, it is evident that the genre is of a thriller, horror and mystery genre. The use of showing a weapon is a common convention for a thriller or horror movie; the killer within this film is shown to be holding a gun, showing how the genre must be of these genres.

Dominate Ideologies:

One of the main beliefs that are expressed within the film is that cheating on partners is wrong and leads to consequences. The couple would have not felt afraid or concerned if cheating was acceptable in those times, showing how the beliefs were it was not right to do as they were, this then lead to a highly dramatic consequence of death.

Narrative Enigma:

The use of narrative enigma had been used to create mystery within the plot, emphasising the genre of the film. This technique is used to make the audience question why certain things happen to create confusion and shock. The use of masking the killer’s identity creates mystery, as the audience may want to know who and why he killed the couple. The audience may also want to know who the killer is and whether he may have killed people previously. These questions may lead to the rest of the film as the plot may be about the killer and catching him. The convention of narrative enigma used within opening sequences allows the audience to be fully engaged with the film and make them question what may follow within the film.