Opening Titles & Scene

The main title sequence or the opening credits of a movie can be considered as one of the most important aspects in a film, they are the first images the audiences witness, outlining the filmmakers intentions and set up the expectations of those watching. Futhermore another important aspect of a film which has a combined link with the opening titles is the opening scene as it sets the tone for the movie, its supposed to lure people into the story and into the world of the characters right away.

Kidulthood Opening Sequence Analysis:

(The Opening scence ends at around 3:10)

The sequence begins with the the titles of the film production company as well as the fundings over a complete black screen allowing the white titles to stand out catching the audiences eye, furthermore the first title is viewed in complete silence, however the following titles are back up by sound, the 'stealth film' titles is introduced with gun shot sounds perhaps giving as impressions of what prospect the film may have, suddenly a low tense score kicks in over the titles and it continues throughout, finally the film title of 'Kidulthood' is introduced, once again back up by the asynchronous sounds of students, giving conotations that the first scene may take place in a school, the font from the title 'Kidulthood' tells us alot about the film as it seems to be sort of urban which once again could be characteristics for the film.

The title then cuts to the first scene, which is a close up of teenagers, denoted by the attire such as the footware, kicking a ball around the playing field, which is a typical stereotype of teenagers being active, the scene is also backed up by the asynchronous sounds of students as well as the non diegetic low tense score which could be a build up to an event, which both soundbridge over each scene. Futhermore there are a series of cross cut revealing and introducing various different characters, who may play a role in film, most of the characters are students denoted by school uniforms, which is worn to there own preference, shirt tucked out, ties undone etc. this connotes the fact that teenagers are rebellious and are always willing to make fashion statements especially the girls and whilst these characters are being introduced there are a series of cross cuts revealing another character possibly the antagonist who seems to be working on some sort drilling machine, however due to the close up, we do not see what he is working on, this is an enigma as we as the audience begin to wonder and as questions as to what he is doing.

An intimidating character, denoted by his appearence and clothing wearing a 'hoodie' is also introduced and these factors connote the fact that he is seen as a clear danger and comes across as a very shadowy character fitting the codes and conventions of a Thriller, there are cross cuts between this protagoinst and another character kissing his girlfriend 'claire' showing a clear link/releationship between them, dramatic irony is arrised as the protagonist 'sam' is looking for his girlfriend 'claire' however we as the audience know where she is and that she is kissing another character, creating anticipation as we fear that they may get caught known as an action code, futhermore there are a series of crosscut of two males handing out invitations for a house party as his 'parents are away' this is another stereotype of teens being rebilious also this party may spell danger as there would be no supervision from adults, therefore the audience would want to watch the remainder of the film to see what may happen at the party.

The cross cuts, showing the close up of the antagonist working on the machine, continouse once again raising further enigmas, as the audience continue to ponder. The protagonist finally finishes on the machine and the long shot zooming into a medium shot shows him, suspiciously looking around and placing the suspicious looking package into a yellow container making the audience wonder what the package was, this enigma causes the audience to want to watch the remainder of the film hopefully to find out what the package contained.