BLK Homework 3: Film Opening Analysis - Continuity
In this opening sequence, the medium shot of the character introduces the character and establishes the setting to be a convenience store. The 180-degree rule is kept to, keeping the ice cream van men on the right of the frame, and the protagonists on the left, stopping the audience from getting disorientated. However, it is broken occasionally towards the end, shots being taken from the right of the manager as he shouts while holding the jar, and then switches back to the left side (where we were placed originally).
We can immediately see that there is a master shot (the first shot) which is used throughout the opening, as the character is shot from the same position and the shot is cut back to several times, i.e. when the two are singing together. This is also the case with the third shot, using the same set-up and shot several times throughout the conversation.
There are shot reverse shots included during the conversation that allow the audience to see the reactions of the ice cream men, and the close-ups of the store keepers face while he dances allows the audience to see the comical, over the top expression, producing comedy with the shots and dialogue. For example, the shot of him combing his few strands of hair is done as a close-up to show the audience the detail, and is done to make the audience laugh at the obscenity/pointlessness of the action, as he is practically bald.
There are match on actions included as well, i.e. when the store keeper says 'hammer time', it cuts to the master shot of them both dancing straight from the last shot, as he had moved to start in the last shot.
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