Research into Similar Media Texts

The last opening sequence is Saturday Night Fever.

• Camera works in opening are very important because one of the main features that need to be included is a shot so the audience can identify the setting.
• The camera work used in the opening sequence of “Saturday Night Fever” allows the audience to  stablish where the film is set. The opening shot is an establishing shot of what one could assume is Brooklyn Bridge, and the city, showing the setting. During the opening sequence the camera is almost turned upside down onto Travolta, which could reflect his personality, or lifestyle, of being different to everyone else, he may life a hectic lifestyle.
• Characterisation is another key feature in an opening sequence because it establishes what the protagonists are like.
• John Travolta’s character is shown as being the protagonist due to the fact the camera focuses primarily on him, as he walks down the busy New York streets. You are given the sense of characterisation due to his confident walk down the road, almost in tune to the music. The fact he stops for a slice of pizza ad can only briefly talk to people on the street gives the impression of the manic lifestyle he leads.
• The soundtrack of the opening sequence is very different from usual opening sequences, mainly due to the fact you would expect such a song to be in the middle of the film, or to at least establish why such a song was playing, and featuring in the film. The soundtrack is an iconic song and easily recognisable, and gives the audience a sense of what the film is going to be about because it sets the tone, and almost gives the audience a sense of the storyline.
• The main text shown in “Saturday Night Fever” is the title. The title is displayed with curly red font, with “Fever” flashing, which is not conventional and grabs the audience’s attention. However, this different writing in parallel to the character’s complex personality and life we have already established, but not parallel to the busy, day working location of New York.
• Most plotlines have a sense of enigma, or even characters have a sense of enigma to them. If a character has a mysterious side to them, this is easily identifiable within the first few minutes of a film, and is often key to the storyline. This is identifiable in John Travolta’s character.
• The main star of the film is John Travolta: this is evident through the fact that most of the camera shots are focused on him.
• Representation of males is shown through John Travolta and various male shop owners, indicating men are most dominant. Females are seen as sexually available and passive.
• The credits during the opening sequence is shown through as the action happens. 
• Mise en scene in the opening sequence is important as Travolta's character is very glamorously dressed compared to everyone else, who is dressed in very normal day to day clothing. His surroundings give the impression of being in a crowded city, there are lots of people in a small space.