Opening Analysis: Layer Cake | tdmediaportfolio

Layer Cake (15) Opening Analysis

This scene doesn't seem to feature any definite cuts, instead using editing to give one long, continuous shot which shows how all of these settings and scenarios are connected. Editing is used to make the transitions between scenes seem smooth and even make sense. Editing is also used to tint the colour of the scene, giving a cold feeling to the robbery and the prison, and a warm feeling to the hippie. Finally, the drugs on the shelves start out with names of illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, however change into legal drugs, which could show that they are not too dissimilar.

Mise En Scene

The scene opens to low key lighting, however explodes into high key lighting once the monologue starts. The scene takes place in various settings, however all of them are in crowded and urban areas. The setting also changes along with the monologue, changing whenever a new place or time is mentioned. This gives a visual representation of the experiences of the person saying the monologue, and helps link the monoogue to what the audience is seeing. The costume is always congruent to the setting, with whatever the characters are wearing matching the setting, which adds continuity and sense to the scene.

Camerawork

The scene starts with a zoom out followed by a pan which is used to transition to the next setting in the scene to follow what the voiceover says. There is also a tracking shot which shows each setting of the scene in detail, and seems to follow one person, however follows three different people in each different setting. As for shot distance, the scene mostly uses mid shots as the character's expressions aren't as important as their actions, however there is a close up of the scared lady at the beginning to show here emotion, followed by a close up of the hippie to link the two scenes together. There are also close ups of the drugs so that the audience can read the labels.

Soundtrack

The scene mostly uses non-diegetic sound, with the voice-over giving exposition to the plot. There is also a synchronous score which changes along with the direction of the monologue and the setting, and also crescendos and gains more instruments as the scene continues. There is also diegetic sound that can be heard underneath the non-diegetic sound which gives atmosphere to the settings .