ALBUM

The beginning of a movie plays an indispensable role in the whole movie. It shows the tone of the entire movie, explains a certain beginning of the story and the current context, introduces conflict, and also hooks the audience into watching the movie.

I focused on several suspense drama movies of different narrative style types. The first movie was The Shawshank Redemption. The opening scene utilizes an scenery shot to show a more dimly lit environment. The lighting setup of the scene is very dim, rendering a rather depressing and downbeat atmosphere Afterwards, the use of high angles and medium shots introduces the audience to the main character. This is followed by the use of close-ups of the pistol and a bottle of wine that the protagonist pulls out of his car, and the close-ups given to the weapons here also hint at his potential criminal behavior. At first the characters have no lines, just sad classical music coming from the car radio, which harmonizes with the images and adds to the depressing and low atmosphere. The lines of the character's dialog ring out, and then the camera switches to a scene where the character is in a courtroom talking to a judge, and the whole picture changes abruptly, which shows that it's the character's memories. The dialogues of the characters also explain to the audience a lot of important information: the general course of events.

The second movie I analyzed was The Godfather. The movie opens with a black screen, followed by a man's (Bonasera’s) voice, followed by a close-up showing Bonasera's face. With Bonasera's personal monologue, the camera slowly pulls back to gradually reveal the surroundings. It culminates in an over-the-shoulder shot that shows it's a conversation between two people. The main color of the environment is black, and the lighting hits the faces of the characters, which keeps the audience's attention on the characters. But unlike Bonasera, the Godfather is not exposed to the light but is hidden in the darkness.This also implies that the Godfather has a certain mystery and unpredictable power. The way they are photographed is also very different, Bonasera is mostly photographed from an high angle to show his humility, while the Godfather is photographed from an low angle to show his authority. Also through Bonasera's personal monologue, some information is given to the audience about his purpose in seeking the Godfather's help, and here is the plot that triggers the conflict story.

The third movie I analyzed was more of a suspense movie — Memento. The movie opens with a slowly fading Polaroid to represent the reverse flow of time and with a flashback to the scene Leonard where killed Jimmy Grantz. At the same time, the sound of cameras, gunshots, and breaking glass are rewound to reinforce the dislocation of time. Extensive use of close-ups, for instance of the hand holding the photo and close-ups, close-ups of the bullets, close-ups of the victim's eyeglasses falling to the ground and so on. Watching the moment Jimmy Grantz is shot from the protagonist's point of view gives the audience a great sense of immersion.All of these props are used to suggest the narrative structure of the movie. This clip uses mainly cool colors to create a certain cold and detached feeling. The overall setup looks like it's in an abandoned factory, which fits the scene of the murder. Surrounded by a simple wasteland style of decoration, mainly concrete, the gray of the cement also reflects the overall picture of the cold tone, adding a touch of suspenseful color

Anyway, through the study of these suspenseful movie beginnings, I found that these kinds of movies open with some unexpected events, such as a murder (Memento's movie opening) a plan between several people, a mysterious phone call, a bizarre disappearance, and so on. Instead of explaining the background or introducing the characters to the audience, these events directly create suspense and provoke questions from the audience.They also set up the ambush for the plot that occurs afterward.Or create suspense through seemingly simple, ordinary, but subtle and bizarre scenes or events. Most movies use some tiny perverse details, such as the sudden reversal of a clock. Or through an object appearing in an inappropriate place. Some fragmented information is also given, perhaps some snippet of a character's memory or the contents of a diary, usually presented in the form of a quick switching shot or snippet of a character's dialog. Most of the character roles in these types of movie openings are incomplete; they may be presented only partially through lighting shadows; for example, some characters show only some of their external features such as their eyes, half of their face, the backs of their hands, and their backs.

These types of film openings make good use of noir elements (Fragments of Memory and The Godfather), cold tones (the cold and gloomy surroundings in the cabin at the beginning of Forbidden Island), and low-saturated colors to create an atmosphere of desolation and danger.

In terms of the use of camera, mostly medium shot and close -up are used to show part of the information to the audience.The slow progression of the camera creates a certain sense of oppression, foreshadowing that something unusual is to follow.The fixed long shot allows the audience to focus on finding the tiny information in the movie and exploring small details.Like the opening scene of Fragments of Memory, where the camera fixes on a Polaroid photo and then slowly fades the color.The sudden zoom emphasizes some key information and elements to the audience.Shooting with a low angle shot can increase the pressure on the characters or the image, making it more depressing and threatening.

Most of the scenes are set in confined spaces (Shawshank Redemption in a car, The Godfather in an office, Pieces of Memory in an abandoned concrete room).Some symbolic props are also used for this purpose, such as the Polaroid photo at the beginning of Fragments of Memory.

Chiaroscuro Lighting is mostly used to create shadows (like in the beginning of The Godfather, where many shadows are created to reflect the mystery of the Godfather) and to hide some information.

Low-key Lighting is also used, which makes the overall image darker and creates a certain atmosphere of mystery, suspense, tension or sadness.

This type of movie often uses Symmetrical Framing, which contrasts the conventional with the bizarre, and Negative space, which leaves white space in the picture, leaving the audience with more questions and thoughts.At the same time, framing is also used, usually through doors, windows, mirrors or car windows to frame the characters once to create a certain sense of oppression.

Through researching and analyzing these types of movie openings, I believe that these types of movie openings are very interesting, giving the viewer a very rough and approximate portion of information, but then there are very detailed areas that the viewer needs to pay attention to.Therefore, I would like to make a movie with a suspense-oriented opening.

Mise-en-Scène

Setting:

Considering budget constraints and production challenges, I've opted to shoot at an existing location.

Location Finalization:

To enhance atmosphere, I've selected a confined interior space. The story will open using the second approach mentioned - creating suspense through seemingly ordinary yet subtly unsettling scenarios. The chosen location is an operational whiskey bar with:

- Dim lighting

- Understated, vintage decor (avoiding opulence)

- A facade of normalcy concealing darker undercurrents

[Take for example this whiskey bar pictured on the left]

But then the bar was not rented for various reasons, and it was finally decided to shoot in a kpop-style bar.

Props:

I'll be using a cocktail as a foreshadowing element. Specifically, I've chosen a Bloody Mary - the drink's crimson hue resembling blood serves as visual foreshadowing for darker events to come.

Costume & Makeup:

All characters will be dressed in casual attire appropriate for a bar setting to maintain authenticity. Makeup will be kept natural, with distinctive touches for specific roles - for instance, the bartender will wear temporary arm tattoos.

Cinematography Choices:

Shot Selection & Camera Movement:

I'll extensively employ close-up shots - particularly focusing on the bartender's hands while crafting cocktails and tight shots of the cocktail itself. This deliberate framing directs audience attention while subtly signaling the drink's significance beyond its surface appearance. For character introductions, extreme close-ups revealing only partial physical features will maintain an air of mystery. Strategic dolly shots will precisely track character movements.

Camera Angles:

- High-angle shots for mysterious characters (paired with black fedoras casting facial shadows)

- Chiaroscuro lighting to sculpt dramatic shadows (echoing The Godfather's opening - where Bonasera emerges from darkness into selective illumination, focusing attention on his monologue)

- Partial reveal shots (modeled after Don Corleone's initial hand-only introduction) to preserve character mystique during first appearances

Color Palette:

The visual scheme will heavily incorporate black elements to cultivate suspense. Existing bar lighting (predominantly colored ambient lights) will be supplemented with targeted fill lighting on subjects.

Composition:

- Symmetrical framing throughout scenes

- Negative space utilization in concluding shots to provoke audience contemplation

- Depth of field techniques (inspired by Bonasera's introduction in The Godfather) with blurred backgrounds emphasizing foreground subjects

CORE CONCEPT

I want to film a scene where spies meet in a bar, but one agent—now unwilling to risk his new life—refuses the mission. Over time, he has grown accustomed to his fabricated identity, even building a family to maintain his cover. Though he once held deep convictions and loyalty to his organization (enough to die for the cause), he now hesitates, torn between his past and the life he can’t bear to leave. His struggle culminates in the question: "Who am I, really?"

This scene explores 'identity crisis': A spy who internalizes his false identity so deeply that it fractures his original beliefs. It also raises a philosophical dilemma: Is self-betrayal justified when a lie provides real safety? The audience is left to ponder: What would I choose?

Beyond espionage, this mirrors a modern societal issue. In the digital age, many curate idealized versions of themselves online—a new form of Platform-Induced Dissociation . The deeper message isn’t about defining "who I truly am"* but deciding *"who I choose to be, and when."

Study, Preparation of the Research of a 2-Minute Film Opening
Time	Content & Tasks	Progress & Achievement	Note
2.27	Memento（2000）	This is a movie that pioneered the genre of 'flashback suspense', which also includes both narrative structure and psychological suspense.	Watching and appreciating to understand the stylistic characteristics of the beginning of movies with different types of themes.
2.28	The Godfather（1972）	The opening of this movie was very much worth my time: a very clever use of light and shadow, with extreme contrasts and contrasts, and layers of graphic mystery.
3.1	Shutter Island（2010）	It makes good use of visual effects such as color palette and setting to create a suspenseful and depressing atmosphere in the beginning.
3.1	Intouchables (2011)	It's a comedy movie that begins, unlike suspenseful movies, with a straightforward explanation of the background of the story, quickly establishing characterization and the tone of the story
3.3	La Grande Vadrouille (1966)	The opening of this movie is very tightly paced and quickly draws the audience into the story.A soundtrack that contrasts with the cinematography is also used to create a sense of humor.
3.4	Black Hawk Down (2001)	The movie is more documentary in nature, with a lot of hand-held shots to put the viewer in the battlefield.
3.5	Ready Player One (2018)	The opening gives the viewer a great deal of information a gives the viewer a great visual experience.。
3.7	The Maltese Falcon (1941)	Film Noir-Hardboiled detective movie	Focuses on the techniques and skills used by the director to express the content in the movie
3.7	Source Code (2011)	Use character's lines to create suspense quickly
3.8	Cloud Atlas (2012)	With transitions props to tie together each cut to pieces story.Many of these actors play multiple roles.

Study, Preparation, Shooting Process, and Editing of a 2-Minute Film Opening
Time	Content & Tasks	Progress & Achievement	Note
3,12	Learn the composition of a crew	Understand the general process that may need to take place for subsequent shoots.
3.13-3.14	Summarize the main points from the notes I take of the movies, and combine them into a complete research	finish summarizing
3.15	Watching and learning students' video on YouTube for inspiration	Revision and reflection. Summarized all the main points from the notes of the films.
3.16	brainstorm, identifying the themes and core concepts of the movie
3.17	Start writing the script.	Completed first draft script	Continued revisions.
3.18	Start writing the script.	Completed first draft script	Continued revisions.
3.19	Finalized script	Completed second draft of the script	Continued revisions.
3.20	Finalized script	Completed second draft of the script	Continued revisions.
3.20	Finalized title: C.O.D.E.: BLOODY MARY	Determine final script title and core concepts as well as revise script’s format	Continued revisions.
3.21	Location scouting at a bar called Exit , I went to the bar and observed the environment and the composition	I communicated with the boss and we associate the shooting date.	Some of the table in the bar have to be removed in order to facilitate the shooting.