Analysis of the opening titles of 'Red Eye'

The next film that I evaluated in class was Red Eye (2005).


Narrative Structure:
The first image seen on screen is an photograph of a girl in a graduation outfit - because she is the first thing shown we instantly assume that she has some role of importance to play in the film and the graduation outfit suggests that she is successful and intelligent. Other photos of the same girl are shown of her doing things such as playing sport and holding trophies which suggests again that she is a successful and versatile person. A number of items are shown being put down on a desk by the hands of an unseen person - the last thing being a wallet with the initials 'JR' written on them. The way that the wallet is put down after everything else draws attention to it and makes it seem significant. A few seconds after the wallet is placed down a different hand to the one that placed it snatches it away and the scene quickly switches to one inside some sort of warehouse which seems to store large cargo crates containing seafood. The wallet is then shown being picked up and emptied of all the cards inside it, including an ID card of an unknown man which makes him seem significant and is an example of foreshadowing. A picture of the girl seen in the photographs at the start is then observed by a few moments by the mystery person emptying the wallet before the wallet is closed again - this makes us think that the girl or man will be the protagonists or victims of the film. A large cargo case full of frozen seafood is shown being closed briefly before being broken open again and all of the fish and ice inside is scraped out to reveal a large metal case, which is removed.

Thriller Codes and Conventions:
The romantic hero model is used as the characters shown are ordinary and do not behave in any supernatural ways. The question and answer model is also used as the viewer is made to wonder a number of things such as who the thief is, what was in the metal box hidden inside the frozen seafood and how was the wallet stolen so easily. Concealment and partial vision are used as only the hands of the thief are shown and the transformed city model is also used as everything seems safe at first but a sense of danger is soon inflicted.

Camera Work:
At first, a close up panning shot is used to show the photographs on the table. Close ups are used whenever hands are seen doing something in the opening sequence - such as the stealing of the wallet and the opening of the containers - so to conceal their owner's identity. Another example of this is when the wallet is being emptied where an extreme close up is used to only show the wallet and it's contents. The camera zooms on the metal box when it is first revealed in the ice block which draws attention to it and makes it seem significant to the story. A mid shot is used when the men in the warehouse are shown moving a container but their identities are still kept anonymous which helps support the impression that the camera work in the opening of Red Eye contributes greatly to the concealment and element of mystery of the sequence.

Mise en Scéne:
Not much is ever shown on the screen at a single time in the opening sequence of Red Eye to help keep most things concealed and leave the viewer asking questions, an example of the question and answer model as well as concealment and partial vision. At first only titles - including the 'RED EYE' title - are seen on a black background before old photographs can be seen on a desk with nothing much else until a number of items are placed on an empty spot on the table; the last of which is a wallet which makes it seem more important than the rest of the items. The wallet is snatched away and the scene switches, but the only part of the people ever shown on screen is their hands which conceals their identities and creates a sense of mystery and suspense. In the warehouse scene not much can be seen apart from anonymous men pushing large crates around which leaves the situation open for the viewer's interpretation as they are left to decide what they think is happening. When the wallet and crates are emptied they are the only things shown on screen aside from the people's hands which makes it clear that they are important and significant.

Sound:
The sound of a plane can be heard building up throughout the credits sequence which is an example of foreshadowing as later events in the film take place on a plane. The sound is non-diegetic and ends abruptly when the credits end. A consistent beating sound can also be heard throughout the opening which bears similarities to the sound of a heart beating and has an eerie echo which makes a tense atmosphere. Non-diegetic music is also used to help create suspense - it gets louder and faster when the camera is shown focusing on the wallet which helps draw attention to it and imply that it is significant. A heavy drum beat sounds when the wallet is snatched which makes it seem like a heavy blow to the owner of it. The scene in the warehouse has dramatic, fast music which creates a tense mood and atmosphere.

Editing:
The clips are arranged in a linear fashion and separated into two different scenes during the opening to help set the story. It is made clear that the warehouse scene takes place after the scene where the wallet is snatched because the wallet has obviously been transported from the table to the warehouse.

Graphics:
White lettering is used on a dark background which makes it stand out. The font is very 'official' and is in capital letters which makes an important, powerful image. The wording zooms out away from the viewer into the centre of the screen which catches the viewer's eye and makes it look as if it is trying to get away from the viewer which makes the viewer feel more involved and could suggest a theme explored in the film as an example of foreshadowing; escape. The lettering is all basic apart from the large 'RED EYE' logo which is written in red; significant as red could symbolise danger, anger, death or revenge. The titles start showing before the actual footage which allows the viewer to concentrate more on the footage once it starts playing. The words are super imposed during the warehouse scene as they are shown over the top of an image.