Overview

The Opening title sequence to ‘the Purge’ immediately gives theaudience an insight into what the film is about through narrativeenigma.

It is cleverly made and uniquely directed by James Demonaco who usesfootage from CCTV cameras. This makes the audience feel more onedge as they are witnessing something that cannot be stopped, andmakes it appear more realistic.

The tone of the film is immediately set as a horror/thriller because of theviolent attacks that are shown on the screen. It gives the audience aninsight into what the film is about, and the violence that is about thehappen.

The camera follows a number of deaths and assaults, each shown in adifferent shot. This opening sequence is effective at setting the tone of athriller/horror and I will try to find the genre quickly in my ownsequence.

Genre

It is clear from the mise en scene that this opening sequence sets

the mood for a thriller/horror due to the violent acts of crime such

as murder that we see.

The jump/cut editing also creates a fast paced sequence, making

the audience feel on edge and fitting with the thriller genre.

It is clear from the mixed contrast and dark colours that the film is

going to be sinister, and therefore the target audience would

probably be young adults.

Institutions

The Purge is presented by

Universal Pictures and produced

by Platinum

Dunes/Blumhouse/Why Not.

Mise en Scene

The violent acts that occur on screen in this opening sequence immediately depicts

the film as a thriller/horror.

The weapons that are visible also link closely to these genres such as guns and

axes.

All of the characters that are shown in the opening sequence are either participating

in violent acts of crime or victims of it. This immediately sets the mood of the film

and lets the audience know what they are in store .

Mise en scene through setting is also evident through the use of smashed up cars

and burning fires.

Themes and Typography The typography used in the opening sequence stands out against the dimly lit

background through the bright white lettering.

The use of the bright white colour suggest purity and innocence, stronglycontrasting with what we are seeing on screen. This could perhaps suggest thedanger even the pure characters are in.

We often see two credits for characters appear at the same time. This couldperhaps suggest a stand off, foreshadowing the storylines of characters lateron in the film.

The shots are often dimly lit and black and whit with a high contrast. Thisreinforces the CCTV footage effect, and gives the audience a more edgiersetting.

Music By Nathan Whitehead The music in this opening sequence is what makes it unique

and stand out to an audience due to the contrapuntal music(music that does not fit with what is happening on screen).

This contrast between classical, relaxing music and violentmurderous acts, creates a uneasy mood for the audience andconveys the horror genre.

As well as this, the music also highlights the sad events weare witnessing, and the murders of many people, immediatelyconnecting the audience on an emotional level.

Editing

This opening sequence is edited by Peter Gvozdas,

who gives it a unique flare with contrast and colour.

He enhances the CCTV effect which causes the

audience to feel uneasy as though they are witnessing

crimes that are currently happening, adding to the

horror genre.

The use of short frames, emphasises the mass of

murders that are being shown on the screen. This again

makes the overall effect on the audience greater.

Narrative Enigma

The ‘Purge’ opening sequence uses narrative

enigma effectively through the ‘purge feed’ icon that

is shown in the top right hand corner of the screen at

all times.

This causes the audience to immediately wonder

what the ‘purge feed’ is and what it’s purpose is in

the film.

Camera Work

In the opening sequence of the Purge there arelots of high angled shots used, not only toemphasize the CCTV footage effect but to alsoshow the insignificance of the lives that are beingtaken. It gives the audience a wider picture, as ifthey are witnessing the event as it occurs, puttingthem on edge and adding to the thriller genre.

There are also tracking shots used in the fightscenes, which create a shaky camera effect,representing the point of view of the audience.

Wide shots are frequently used to show settingand emphasis the destruction that is taking place.

There are also two long shots which show victimsbeing slaughtered, making the audience feel anemotional connection to the vulnerability of thepurge victims.

Credits

The credits flicker in and out on screen, and are not very noticeable to theaudience. This suggests that the lives of the people are not significant,reinforced by the mass of killings shown on screen.

There are moments when two credits appear at once at opposite ends of thescreen. This foreshadows later events in the film and suggest a possiblestand off.

I believe watching and analysing this opening sequence has helped meunderstand what I need to include in mine because I now have a betterknowledge of what credits to include to make mine more authentic andbelievable.

Final Piece

This title sequence is effective at using camera shots to have acertain effect on an audience, which is something similar that I planto use in my final piece.

The use of credit order and potential meanings from two appearingon screen, creates an edgy atmosphere for the audience and I willensure my credit order is thought out carefully.

This opening sequence is very effective in using narrative enigmathrough the ‘purge feed’ icon. This causes the audience toimmediately wonder what the film holds, achieving the main aims ofan opening sequence. I will try an create narrative enigma in myown sequence.

The soundtrack used in this sequence is also effective at creatingtension and adding suspense, due to the contrapuntal music. Toachieve the thriller genre in my own sequence I will build theinstruments to form a crescendo similarly to this.