Task 4:Opening and Closing Sequence
Discuss the use of these and similar scenes in the Opening and Closing sequences of Deja Vu.
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Communication Theories
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on March 8th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
The opening and closing scene in a movie are crucial as they have an enduring effect on the audience. The opening is the first chance a director has to engage viewers whilst the closing attempts to disengage or bring a denouementthis is a good word to the audience. Déjà vu is an example of a movie that ticks both boxes.
The opening of déjà vu introduces numerous soldiers boarding a ship departing towards a homecoming party, this sequence is viewed from ‘snow whites‘ perspective, meaning zooming in and out, switching from slow motion to normal speed and blurred vision as snow white pans, snow whites zooming is enhanced with a robotic hyper real swooshing.good Whilst viewing this sequence boxes appear along with names of actors and production staff. These names flash on screen as if being typed by a computer keyboard.good description The audience simultaneously views action and hears non-diegetic ominous eerie music, images of celebration laughing and smiling children and their families convey that every thing is ok, but the music communicates a menacing tone or mood filled with danger and somberness. A yawning toddler at ease and bored leads us into a false sense of security,very good this is the same impression we assume from a child on his game boy. We are further lulled into relaxation by celebration music (when the saints go marching in), occasionally the dreamy opening sequence is interrupted by a bellowing fog horn that awakens us from our calm state of mind. An establishing shot of the city from the river suggests this story transpires in the city and an important event occur on the river, American flags and the Mississippi River Bridge communicate we’re obviously in America. Again the foghorn interrupts our postcard like establishing shot.well written The audiences expectations are manipulated yet again away from captain’s optimistic statement that we’re “right on time” by the doll escaping into the water, this causes anguish and suggests Claire’s death foreshadowing. An operating car radio interrupts a guard from his cigarette, his expression of concern mixed with amazement and fear communicates a hitch. Something is wrong, but the car radio still suggests to us to “don’t worry baby” literally.very good Tony Scott plays with our emotion by cutting between the dangerous rigged car and the oblivious children and their family’s.excellent The ridged car suddenly explodes, just as the ship begins its tranquil voyage, quick cuts of screaming explosion victims plunge us into feared confusion. The shot of children before the explosion make us even more fearful. A man viewing the catastrophe from the bridge is spotted, the snow white systems box frames and highlights him, this suggests he’s important later on.good The explosion is extremely shocking as it kills all the characters we thought where relevant, as we’ve only seen no other characters. This climax and trigger engages the audience who’re now thinking of narrative possibility questions trying to consider who why and how.good The music returns now expressing grief, various dissolves suggest the passage of time. As emergency services arrive, a replication of the earlier establishing shot illustrates a landscape cluttered with helicopters, ambulances, police cars and boats. We view a worried old lady, who grips the barrier for support and comfort, the audience now feel more emotionally attached to the situation.good As Doug approaches the crime scene we understand by the shot of his eyes in his car mirror that he is the main character and the story is his POV. A steady cam shot that rotates around Doug allowing the audience his line of vision confirms this. very goodIt’s interpreted by the slamming of the car door, stressed by hyper real sound that he’s powerful, an ATF license plate is spied as well. This impression is solidified by his serious expression and stance, also that he arrives alone without back up, this sequence suggests an independent powerful and determined protagonist.excellent A queue of body bags, emotionally slaps the audience.yay Doug takes his sunglasses off to communicate work time. A phone then rings, Doug checks his phone, but it’s actually ringing from a body bag this is unusual. this opening sequence is ended and lots of questions and unsolved mysteries leave an engaged audience. very well written Nick
The closing of déjà vu is almost exactly like the opening, except we have an idea of the tragedy about to happen. But the inclusion of Doug, Claire and Carroll provide new production sequences.right Soldiers and children still celebrate oblivious of the devastation soon to come, we are regularly reminded of the protagonists mission by frequent shots of the time and the rigged car. The non-diegetic music and the film become a unit and intertwine, for example as the tension increases between characters, the music goes slightly louder and quickens pace. Building up on these cliffhanger moments attracting the audience. As Doug walks towards his mission in front of the soldiers boarding the ship, Doug temporarily merges with the brave troops, as he is about to commence an act of courage too. Slow motion makes this a memorable moment. Tony Scott then gives the audience an omniscient shotwonderful of the villain (Carroll) about to leave, but he notices his own car and realizes something’s wrong. After this reaction shot he begins to board the ship, this invites the audience to feel fear for Claire and Doug.good As viewers hear a diegetic voice over the audience becomes increasingly nervous as the protagonists still haven’t stopped the bomb. The viewers then begin to ask narrative possibility questions such as how will Doug now disarm the car bomb? As Doug approaches the rigged car the audience are teased by a closer shot of the car but then his intervention is interfered by guards who insist he returns to top deck. The audience are then reminded of the also approaching villain as his shadow is spotted behind Claire as he reaches the ship, as Claire realizes Doug is in danger a techno beat adds to the drama whilst Claire runs and jumps onto the boat to save Doug. As Claire does this the repetition of the doll falling into the water tricks the viewer into thinking for an instant that Claire has fallen, it also reminds us that Doug has not yet been able to change the ships explosive destiny, it also still suggests the foreshadowing of Claire.right Doug figures out the villain is elsewhere, when he realizes he’s not on the bridge. And as soldiers walk carelessly past Doug and once we see times almost up the audience’s anxiety heightens. Once Carroll has caught Claire and when she is trapped in the rigged car we see these two protagonists expression of concern for each other, the audience are now fixed to the screen as we assume a romance has blossomed. Quick cuts tense toned music mixed with the sound of gunfire and explosion of bullets adds to the intense final battle between the protagonist and the villain. The music builds up to a climax as the villain is defeated and the audience feel a moment of victory, this is given a rude awakening when don’t worry baby by the beach boys begins to play on the car radio reminding us the danger isn’t defeated. Doug implements his plan but hope is defeated as police hinder the protagonist’s plan. The repetitive and alarming don’t worry baby tune forces an sinister discomfort, the defeated look on the protagonists face as they become surrounded and the observation by the seemingly doomed soldiers as they watch the dispute creates a intense culmination. But the protagonists manage to release the car bomb from the boat, although they are still trapped every one is saved. Claire is able to be freed but Doug is exposed to an explosive end as the clock counts down to his demise. The explosion is followed by the similar and expected slow motion of the grieving family’s but this time Claire is included. But the narrative is happily resolved as the audience notices an alive Doug wearing the same clothes as he was wearing during the opening. The two protagonists sit in the car reflecting on the crime scene and both have déjà vu when don’t worry baby plays on the radio. For an instant this music suggests another bomb but our expectations are false as Doug and Claire give each other a triumphant smile. Good Nick. the reason why the repetition of scenes is so effective is that the audiences knows what’s going to happen in the closing- creating even greater tension
Sorry but there is a lot to say about the opening and closing sequence, I promise next time I will write less.
on March 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am
The story of déjà vu is one about time travel we are shown 2 alternate outcomes for the same event. In the first sequence we see images of happy sailors going to a homecoming party after service. This lulls the audience into a false sense of security, thinking that the narrative possibility will be a happy one.good These shots make us feel connected to the people, therefore more distraught when we find out what happens later on the voyage. When the little girl drops her doll after the boat has left the dock, it is suggestedvery good that this doll represents Claire, and that in the future she will be washed on shore. The doll represents that she will not survive.right
In the closing sequences the same shots of the sailors have been used to show that is the exact same time and same event but being replayed. We now see the changes more prominently, because we have a point of contrast and a sense of what has and will happen if it is not changed.right The doll being dropped reminds the audience that the protagonists may not succeed or not survive. The people we see have no idea about what will happen to them but the audience does and this is why when we see the faces we feel more compassionate and involved and want the protagonist to succeed even more.good Tom
on March 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
The opening and closing sequence are practically the same. In the opening sequence the audience is introduced to the problem, but not at first. They are shown shots of happy families and sailors, about to celebrate a joyous occassion. The audience may feel close to or compassion to these minor characters. They are made to feel apart of the celebrations! The doll dropped by the girl potentially signifies the death of the later character Claire, who eventually is found dead on the shore. The scene then moves into the problem of a bomb, killling most people aboard the ferry. We are introduced to the problem and then to the main character Doug (Denzel Washington) who is considered the problem solver.good Kaz
on March 11th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
In déjà vu the opening and closing sequence consist of the same scenes. In the opening sequences the scenes are used to set up the story line. They show where the film is going to be set and some of the characters that are going to be affected by what are going to happen. The first scene shows happy families and sailors which also look happy so the audience get the feeling that everything is going to be sweet and happy but the music that is playing behind that tells another story. It tells a story of destruction and gives the impression that something bad is going to happen and all these happy people are going to be stuck in it.
When the girl drops the doll it could represent the body of Claire that is later found on the shore or it could just represent all the happiness that is going to be lost when the bomb goes off. That doll obviously brings the girl happiness and that is why she is so sad when it drops which is kind what will happen to all the families of those happy people that were getting on to the ferry.
Having the same scenes in the closing sequence keeps the audience interested in the movie until the end. It keeps the audience on the edge of theretheir seat wanting to know what is going to happen and how it is going to change as it is the second time it is all happening for the antagonistno antagonist is the bad guy- Doug is the Protagonist Doug (Denzel Washington). Having the exact same scenes also helps to prove that it is happening again and that it is at the same time.It reinforces the idea that the characters have gone back in time- reliving the same moment with a different outcome
on March 11th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
The opening sequence of Déjà Vu sets up several narrative possibilities both prior and after the explosion of the ferry. The main music is slightly suspenseful preparing the audience for something dramatic, yet the inclusion of ‘when the saints go marching in’ and the happy shots of people celebrating contrast the initial expectation. After the explosion, we meet Doug, the protagonist, whom we learn is powerful and is on a mission to solve the case. By the closing sequence, we know his job is to prevent the explosion.
The inclusion of the little girl dropping her doll can be thought of as representing a loss of innocence that will come. The audience has been shown up until this point clips of joyous faces, celebration and happy families. The girl dropping her doll can be thought of as a sign that all joy is about to be snatched away from them, foreshadowing the explosion. The repetition of this clip in the closing sequence reminds the audience of the devastation in the beginning and raises tension leading up to the time when the explosion is due to occur. The audience is prepared now for something, but they know the result must be different.Wonderful Lucy
The repetition of these clips also supports the major theme of causality. In the beginning, the happy, unsuspecting people were left devastated if not dead. Yet, by changing some actions in the past, Doug is now aware of what’s to come, which changes the future of everybody involved in the ferry scene.Even more wonderfuller
on March 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
In the film ‘Deja vu’ the opening scences are also used in the closing sequence. The opening sequence sets up many narrartive possibilities for the auidence. By the end of the film, the opening scene is reapeated. The auidence will now know what will happen to the boat, but the narrarive possibilitie is that will Doug or Claire survive? Repeating these scenes, is showing the auidence that Doug,(the main character) has gone back 4 and a half days to save these people’s lives. The exact same shots are used in the closing sequence as in the opening. To the auidence it has almost done a loop in events and time, repersenting the prediction of the event.
These shots are also making the auidence focous back on the fact that many innocent people will die, if Doug can not save them. It reminds them that part of his object is to save these lives.
Doug has learnt what will happen, so now he gets the chance to be the hero.Good Andrea, but you need to keep clear what the audience knows in opening sequence as well as what they know in the closing- making clear which is which
on March 12th, 2009 at 10:37 am
The opening sequence is of Déjà Vu is set in the dock where a ferry awaits its’ passengers. The audience sees shots of the happy passengers; sailors and families. The music that is playing is contradictory to the suspense. “When The Saints Go Marching In” (a traditional funeral songnot really funeral, more happy chorus) is flashed between a song that brings mild suspense. More suspense is added when a girl drops her doll into the water, obviously upset about the loss of it. This symbolises the explosion (loss of life, family), or even Claire (loss of life). The girl symbolises the families of those who do lose their lives, or have been hurt. After the doll is dropped, the celebrations continue. A worker on the boat then finds the bomb, while the song “Don’t Worry Baby” is playing in the car. A few seconds later, the bomb explodes, killing most on board. Shots of people thrown in the air and on fire are seen, cars falling into the water, and the boat sinking and on fire. As soon as the bomb goes off, the music stops, symbolising the need to now worry. Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) drives up after the explosion, his footsteps and close ups of his face show power and authority. It shows that he has a job and purpose for being where he is.wonderful outline- great use of quotes- in song titles, go girl!
The Opening and Closing sequences are practically the same; just the closing sequence has new shots and information is added to it. These show Claire, Doug and the bomber trying to stop (or start) the bomb. When the bomb is found, the bomber tries to kill Claire and Doug, but succeeds in killing a few crew members, and in the end, Claire and Doug kill him together. Since Claire is attached to the car, Doug helps her drive it over the edge of the boat, setting her free, but he stays trapped in the car. Since the bomb explodes. And there is a copy of him, the real Doug doesn’t die. Claire is seen screaming and crying, being saved from the water. Later, she is seen huddled in a blanket, supposedly in shock. Doug drives up, once again, showing power and authority. He is told about Claire, goes up to her, and takes her away. Sitting in the car, the song “Don’t Worry Baby” is playing.Again , a great description of the sequence, however, you didn’t connect the two or answer the question!!?
on March 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
In the opening sequence of dejavu we are introduced to the main theme of the movie and the problem. The director engages the people eye in a lot of scenes especially with the music that was being played in the opening sequence and how everyone was all happy going into the ferry. The first image of the little girl reaching out for something clearly gives us a significant point of view of this scene. It shows that something bad was just about to happen. Or maybe she just lost something she loved the most. In the second image he also uses a technique of people and all passengers going inside the ferry, happy and excited. The director also sets a big image when the bomb goes of and this is when the problem starts.
The closing sequence is also the same but expectexcept Doug and claire are in it. They now know what to do and what the problem is and where and how they could possibly change solve this. They go in the picture and changes the way the opening sequence was. He gets to be a hero by resecueing everyone who was in the boat by risking his life and that’s how the closing sequence ended..Right- by repeating specific scenes, the audience understands the idea of the ‘time-loop’ and also how narrative possibilities in the opening sequences are resolved.
on March 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
The opening and closing sequences of Déjà Vu both have an incredible amount of similarities compared to the majority of films. Both scenes consist of a lotrepeats of the same footage, which brings a strong connection between them. The closing sequence using some exact footage from the opening sequence, and adds parts to change the story. The changed parts become increasingly common until the events of the scene are completely changed by the terrorist re-boarding followed by the gunfight and Doug’s death.right
Both scenes show the sailors, happy families and school children boarding the fairydo you mean ferry? or an unusually butch fairy with perhaps large wings… enough to park cars etc on? hahah sorry SAM. The difference comes in the closing sequence when the two lead protagonists arrive at the dock and board the fairyhahah in order to disarm the bomb. At this point the terrorist re enters the fairy making another difference from the opening.right The passengers on the fairy remain unaware of the bomb, so they continue to play out the scene according to the opening sequence. A few fairy security membersare these tiny security guards? alter their action the second time through by asking Doug to return to the passenger area of the fairy, whereas in the opening sequence, Doug was not even on the fairy. The events that take place on the fairiesha parking level are completely changed from the opening sequence, as there is no part like it. The explosion is changed because only part of the fairyher wings? or crown? is damaged in the closing compared to complete annihilation of the fairy in the opening. The second doing??Doug (from the new real time) enters the scene in the same way as he had in the opening. This time he is faced with a less tragic event, but still remains in the same level of shock because he has not knowledge of the previous reality of this event. Claire survives the explosion in the closing and the first Doug dies, whereas in the opening it is reversed with Claire drowning (not shown in any scenes, but the characters talk about it throughout the film)good and Doug was originally arriving after the actual explosion. The second Doug meets Claire and is told that she would know info on the explosion and the killer; this is different because in the opening they don’t meet (because she is dead). They leave the scene together in Doug’s car, whereas the opening ends as Doug begins to inspect the scene.Great effort Sam, sorry about the jokes! this is a difficult concept to write about, so you need to express it clearly. The other thing that you probably needed to say was what did the repetition of scenes do for audience engagement?
on May 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
The opening and closing sequence of Déjà vu are virtually the same, with a few tweaks and touches to alter the final outcome in the closing sequence. The suspenseful music along with happy people boarding the ferry sets up many narrative possibilities. Therefore keeping the audience on the edge of their seat not knowing what will happen next.
As the little girl drops her doll off the ferry she feels scared and sad. This incident could replicate the impending future of all who is on the ferry.
As Doug approaches the crime scene he realizes what has occurred and how it’s his mission to solve the case, as he finds out that his partner was on the ferry and didn’t survive.
By repeating the same scenes in the opening and closing sequence but altering the final outcome in the closing sequence, the audience should realize the time-loop and why the film is titled ‘Déjà vu’.