Transformers opening sequence analysis

Crane shot

At the start of the opening sequence there is a crane shot. This shot is descending to a planet below. This signifies that there may chaos on that planet. As this can be seen as a descent to hell. This is signified when a pan reveals the damage. Whereas if the camera was moving up it would be seem as an elevation to haven.

Pan

This is a Pan. After the crane shot the camera goes straight into a pan. There was on cut it was all one constant camera shot. With this shot the director tries to show the damage and the raging war that is going on. Smoke in the far back signifies an explosion has happened, this is signified by little explosion which can be seen to the right of the screen. The pan reveals how far and vast this war reaches. However the pan builds tension as it is unclear about who or what is fighting in this war. At the end of the pan it gives you an idea who may be fight in this war as you can huge metal ships and big machines shooting at one another.

Tracking

At the end of the pan it cuts to a tacking shot of a ship big ship being chased by three smaller ships. This signifies that the big ship isn’t able to fight three ships a once or it is protecting something. In this shot you can see these little ships opening fight on the larger ship. This chase builds tension as it makes the audience wonder why they are chasing this ship.

Music and sound

As soon as the opening sequence starts a slow building, sad and gloomy music starts playing this could signify the defeat form the point of view of the race who was or is slowly being defeated. Someone starts talking about the was and how it came about. It is a very deep and asserting voice which could signify high authority. The narrator tells the audience who the war is between and why they are fighting. The narrator identifies himself as one of the soldiers who was fighting in the way however says “our defeat was all but certain” this connotes that he didn’t believe that his side was going to win. This could signify that he has thought about betraying his kind in order to win and survive. He stops and the camera moves into a tracking shot where gun fight and lasers can be seen and heard being fired at the ship. Also you can hear the wailing of the ships engine, which could signify that the ship is struggling to moves faster in order to out run the smaller ships who are trying to kill it. Nearing the end of the opening sequence a missile is fired. A non-diegetic sound is played along side. This sound like something dismantling. The missile splits in to six smaller missiles which is signified by the non-diegetic sound. Sudden bursts of music signifying something is about to happen. This is signified by the large ship being hit by these missiles which destroys it.

Editing

• There is on editing for the first 40 seconds of the opening sequence. However as soon as the camera cuts to the tracking shot the cuts are very fast paced and sharp. This is to signify the intensiveness of the shot and to try and capture the speed element of the chase scene.

Mise en sene From the dark sky with blue strikes of lines and complex metal structure this signifies that this is not earth. This is later signified by spaceships. Throughout the opening sequence the audience does not find out about what planet this war is taking place, which creates an element of tension.

In this shot you can see that it is a war zone. There are explosions gun fire. It seem like a very hostile place. This seem to be a war between the same race. Signifying that they may poor understanding of how to live life. However an opposite reading to this is that they cannot possible lack knowledge due to the advance weaponry.