Opening Sequence Analysis - Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark

The opening of Indiana Jones shows the audience the genre by the camera shots, characters and sound.
The opening shot is an establishing shot of an exotic location, this follows the conventions of an action film because action films are normally set in places that you wouldn't normally have been to. There is a range of shots in the opening sequence that create tension and drama. One of these shots is a tracking shot of a group of men walking through the woods. you see them through branches which creates tension because you cant see everything going on. The tracking shot shows they are on a journey because you can see them wearing backpacks and walking in a line. Another example of an effective shot is a mid shot of two men looking nervously behind them, this increases the tension in the scene and engages you, making you feel like you are there. Close ups are effective in action films because they show the emotion and reactions on the characters faces and they can also emphasise certain objects you need to see. In the opening two minutes there is a close up of an arrow sticking in a tree. you can see two men looking at the arrow in alarm. This shows that there is danger around them and shows the audience that there will be more danger and action coming.
Overall the shots in the opening sequence are effective. They show the audience the genre well and make them want to watch more.

The sound in the opening two minutes is very tense and dramatic. The non-diegetic sound is very constant throughout the opening and only changes twice. It is very tense and makes the people in the scene look scarier. The music follows the conventions of an action film because in action films the music always creates the tension and drama, this is a common theme in action films.
The diagetic sound shows the location of the film in the opening sequence, you can hear the sound of trees swaying and birds tweeting, you can also hear the sound of tropical animals in the background, this helps the establishing shot in showing the audience where the film is set.
Overall the sound in this opening follows the conventions of an action film. It shows you where the film is set and creates tension, drama and mystery.

The characters in the opening 2 minutes of the film gives hints about where the film is set and what it will be about.
You see the first character from the back, he is wearing a cowboy hat. This denotes he may be from Southern America and that he is on some kind of adventure. You would normally wear a cowboy hat in the heat to protect your head so this suggests that they are in a exotic place where a hat is essential. As the other character follow the man in the cowboy hat, you see them wearing light brown canvas jackets and cowboy hats. The men are carrying bag and rucksacks. This suggests to the audience that they are on some sort of adventure. There is one clear leader on the walk, this suggests that he is the main character Indiana Jones becuase you wouldnt expect the hero in an action film to be following other people.

Overall the characters in the opening two minutes suggests to the audience that they will be going on some sort of adventure. It ssuggests that they may be looking for something or running away from something.