Fifty Shades of Grey - Title sequence Analysis.

                                            Fifty Shades of Grey Title sequence Analysis. 

From watching the opening scene of the film it gives you an impression of a slightly dark film with no hints leading to what could happen. It focuses on the two main characters in the film which are Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson). The opening sequence gives a feel of dramatic film however, it doesn’t give the sense of a romance film which is what the film also is.   

The first two shots that are shown are the distribution company of film who are Universal Pictures and Focus Features. Both of these  companies logos are shown at the start of the film.

         As the Focus Features logo is shown as it fades in from black and becomes more clear using a focus pull to draw attention to the logo.

 Throughout the opening two minutes there are a range of different shots. One of the first camera shots that is shown is an helicopter extreme long shot of Seattle showing where the film is mainly set. During the series of establishing shots around different parts of Seattle the names of the main cast members appear on screen allowing the audience to know who is in the film. Panning is also used with the shots to shot more in-depth to the city.  

The first time Christian Grey is introduced is through a long shot through the door of his walk in wardrobe.  The camera dolly’s in towards Christian as he is tying his shoes. More long shots are used to show Christian running around the docks. Tracking long shots are used to follow Christian as he continues his morning run. Anastasia is first introduced through a long shot of her walking down the corridor of a school.

Close up, dolly backward shots are used to show Christians feet when he is running, when he is doing up his cufflinks, selecting a tie and fastening his tie. These shots are used to symbolise certain parts of the film which  become symbolic later on through the film, such as the tie selecting and fastening along with the cufflinks is symbolic to how Christian dresses and the ties also become more symbolic later on. 

             There is one medium shot throughout the scene which is a medium close up of Christian putting on his shirt. 

The editing throughout the sequence is slow paced with each shot following on smoothly from the each other. Cuts are the main transition used throughout the opening sequence. There is elliptical editing during the first scene of Anastasia as the scene jumps from her walking down the corridor to her walking down the outdoor steps. Also there is a montage of Christian getting ready using a series of closeup emphasising the details of the clothes. 

         Continuity editing is used to create a sense of reality and time passing as Christian is running and getting ready.

Throughout the scene the song ‘I Put a Spell On You’ by Annie Lennox plays which set the tone of the film. The song links with the film as it adds to the dramatic feel and also hints to the romantic side of the film.  

The film is set in Seattle and Portland which are established within the opening sequence, through the helicopter extreme long shots, it is also set in Christians pent house in Seattle. Natural lighting is used throughout the sequence keeping the dark tones of a rainy day present.

           The costume of Christian is typical of a business man living in America, a grey suite, Anastasia costume is more of a middle class college girl. No props are used within the opening sequence.