Opening Sequence Motifs

James Bond

In the extensive James Bond series, there is a consistent usage of a gun barrel sequence, in which James Bond, the protagonist is viewed through a gun barrel. Bond then continues to shoot at the villain character, who is hidden from us. James Chapman, a British media historian, has suggested that the sequence "foregrounds the motif of looking." This is essential to the overall spy genre. Other aspects of the opening sequence such as the title sequence have key motif's about them, such as the fact that a soundtrack is often used which repeats in several different moods and is therefore a leitmotif for the film.









Fight Club

In the short opening sequence of fight club, it is evident that several motifs have been displayed in order to signify the overall themes of the film. For example, the contrast between the aggressive, work like music used for the title sequence contrasts with the office scene, of calmness and depression. This signifies the motif of escapism and destruction displayed within the film, due to the abrupt ending to the aggressive music to a more realistic surrounding. The fact that a Starbucks coffee cup has been used as a prop within the opening scene has been positioned in a bin, foreshadows the anti consumerism theories displayed constantly throughout the film.

                                                                     
                 
Our Opening Sequence Motifs Intended

In order to enhance our opening sequence further, we feel we must include several motifs in order to foreshadow the themes of the story. This could include the aggressive nature of the character, which signifies the violent feel to the film ,which is what is intended. Constant and repetitive soundtracks and sound effects are also effective in signifying a motif of the protagonists lifestyle.