Analysis of the opening sequence of The Town

As the film started there were lots of quick cuts which helped to build up the scene to follow and added tension. There was at the same time asynchronous sound which was a voice over of a man explaining what was about to happen highlighting the importance of this opening scene as it needed added explanation to clearly explain the circumstances. Following this we are then introduced to the robbers with close ups of them all taken in a very dark room to highlight them as the bad guys and the ones who will cause the danger. Ben Affleck who stared in the film was the robber to have the first and last close up and the longest ones this extra camera time symbolises he is the leader of the group and most important to the film. The camera then pans across showing all the robbers showing that a heist is about to take place as they are planning. Non-diegetic music builds the tension and suspense indicates violence and action is coming. As the robbery is taking place the diegetic sound of screaming highlights the panic of the people in the bank making the scene more tense as innocent people are scared and could be hurt. Low angle shot of the robber in the mask pointing gun at policeman on the floor represents he has the power and the authority in this situation. Throughout the scene fast motion camera shots intensifies the action and adds to make it more dramatic. Similarly to before but the opposite as there is a high angle shot looking down at the innocent people on the floor representing their vulnerability in this situation. An eye line match looking at the clock shows lack of time and that the police will come soon, making the robbery more dramatic and tense as they could be caught soon. There are close ups of the innocent girls face highlighting her beauty an vulnerability at the same time to make the viewers feel scared for her. Close up of the robbers hand and the women's touching, which symbolises that the robber might not be that evil and feels sorry for the position they have put her in and maybe connoting a future romance between the two. Another close up of the women's face looking up at the robber then a low angle shot showing the robber still in complete power and making the decision on the next step to take. This film is a thriller and the audience know who the robbers are but the other characters such as the women do not, there is a close up at a slow motion pace of the robbers neck tattoo. This is a big clue given that viewers should look out for which is typical of a thriller film to do give clues throughout the film to add to the plot. The non-diegetic fast paced music and quick-cuts start again as they start bleaching the place and getting ready to escape from the bank highlighting this is the last bit of action and they will either succeed or fail.