Analysis of Opening Title Sequences

1. Analysis of Opening Title Sequences The Butterfly Effect Titles used Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber 2004 How are the titles presented? The titles are presented in script font, and are very thin and white with a thin black outline which makes them stand out over the black and dark background. The names come up separately to eachother which shows the importance of the actors, with the most significant – in this case being Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart – appearing at the beginning (after the directors and the producers). How are they supported by the soundtrack? When the Chaos Theory quote is shown, there is a little quiver of music which plays as the words appear. This illustrates the worry that the quote brings on people, because the music is similar to the noises the audience make when hearing something like that. The titles are supported by the soundtrack because they keep in time with the beats. The music is quite slow and the beginning and the names appear on the prominent beats of the song. As the music gets faster, the titles do not appear and the drama of the scene is more overpowering.

2. Mise en scene What does the first scene tell us about the character? What is the first shot? Apart from the logos of the companies that made the movie, the first shot is not of a captured video. Instead, the first shot is of a Chaos Theory quote which says “It has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world.” This tells us, briefly, what the movie is about. It creates an eerie tension to the beginning of the title sequence because it features quite a negative topic. After the quote, we then fade to a slow motion pan of a figure running past a blinded window. As the music hits its highest tension point – when all the violins are prominent – the figure kicks open the door and drums begin to play in the background. We then see the figure (Ashton Kutcher) slamming it shut and running off camera. The first scene shows us that Ashton Kutcher’s character is scared. His tone of voice is quite quivered like the music as he hides under a desk after forcing the door closed with a sofa, whilst writing on a piece of paper, what can only be described as a suicide note. The letter reads: “If anyone finds this, it means my plan did work and I’m already dead. But, if I can somehow go back to the beginning of all of this, I might be able to save her.” This letter clearly depicts angst and it shows that he has a plan to somehow go back in time. This illustrates that maybe he has something wrong with him, because he believes he can go back in time – this is also highlighted by the clothes he wears, because they are hospital robes and the office door said ‘Dr’. What elements of the location/setting in the first scene indicate the genre? How is the narrative introduced? The first scene appears to be shot in an office; there is a desk, paper, office equipment and the writing on the front of the door says ‘Dr’ which shows that the room belongs to someone of higher power. The lighting is dark and the windows are covered. This indicates the genre because the lighting is dark – a common element in Thriller films. The narrative is introduced when he writes on the piece of paper – he reads it aloud so the audience can hear what he is writing. This also shows a lack of mental wellbeing because if you were alone and writing, you would not read it aloud. How is the atmosphere created? How is this a typical thriller film? The atmosphere is created through the music – it is very calm and eerie. There are also police shouting for him in the background. The fact that he hides under the desk also suggests that there is something wrong in the situation.

3. Camera shots, angles and movement This medium shot is the first shot where you properly see Ashton Kutcher’s face. This makes it more personal for the audience as they can see and feel his emotions with him. This medium shot is used so you don’t see the characters face properly – it creates mystery to the audience. This high angle medium shot is used to make Ashton Kutcher’s character look insignificant. This medium shot pans as the character pushes the sofa - this makes the audience feel uncomfortable. This medium shot is used so you don’t see the ‘enemies’ face properly – it creates another mystery to the audience. This medium shot is used so you can see that what he’s up to, and you can engage with the character. There is a slow zoom on the close up to the words ‘save her’ until it becomes an extreme close up of the words – this makes it seem like there is something personal, and from the note we hear him reading as he writes, we can understand what could be coming up in the story. This same medium shot shows the speed in which Ashton Kutcher’s character is moving, which shows he is in a rush. The close up shot follows him as he writes – it makes it seem more personal for the audience.

4. Sound Track Music Dialogue Sound Effects Before the Chaos Theory quote appears on the screen, there is a low hum emanating through the shot of black. Then when the quote appears, there is a ‘flutter’ of music, which relates to the word ‘flutter’ in the quote. It seems quite high pitched and eerie, making the beginning of the film seem disturbing before it’s even started. The low hum then returns, and gradually gets louder, before violins join and play high pitched, screechy sounds. Another instrument plays a slow couple of notes, until the violins become ever more dramatic until they reach a climax as Ashton Kutcher kicks the door. The first sound effect is heard as Ashton Kutcher kicks open the door. The clip is exaggerated by use of this effect. The same is heard as he slams the door shut, and the noise seems to echo slightly. There is then a slight scraping noise as he pushes the sofa in front of the door. A faint scratching noise is heard as he writes on the paper – this would not have been heard before if not for the effect, which helps the audience to know that what he is doing at that particular time is writing on a piece of paper. There is only a small amount of dialogue, and that is just as Ashton Kutcher reads aloud the letter he is writing. It is a monologue, and helps the audience to know what he is writing.