Trainspotting(1996) Opening Analysis

Genre: Drama- shown through the realistic urban setting and voice over of main character complaining about life in general

Character representation: Renton and his friend are shown running away from two men. This suggests they are ruthless and jokers with little care for consequence. Their nicknames that they are introduced with implies their youth and lack of seriousness.

Mood/Style: The mood is upbeat and happy allowing the audience to escape to a world of easily getting away with crime. This is suggested by the use of cheerful music. The mood then mellows as the audience is introduced to Renton's home and the music quietens. 

Mise en Scene: Set in Scotland in a rundown town. Not much of their city is shown as much as the football court and apartment. The mis en scene of the flat suggests most, with the dirty rug. spray painted and broken rule, that the boys don't have jobs and don't care for themselves.
Narrative: The beginning of the film follows Renton and the audience hears him talking about choosing life "Choose life...But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin' else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?"

 Intertitles: Only shows 'Chanel four films presents' and the title of the film, presuming he directors and actors will only have their titles in the credits.

Sound: Song-Lust for Life-Iggy Pop. Creates an upbeat mood and feeling of the decade. Music is slightly quieter when voiceover starts,

Camera shots: Low angle to show city people as character's run away to stand out, without showing their faces yet. Shots cut in-between too similar actions(collapsing due to a football and heroin) which could imply how close they are to doing something bad from something innocent. Long shots to make character look smaller.

Camera movement: Quick pans to provoke excitement and the adrenaline that the characters feel.Slow pan out of Renton on floor later implies he feels stranded and lower than others. Camera pauses on characters so audience becomes familiar with them.

From this opening I can think more about the different quick and slow shots to use as well the kind of music to use and where to quieten it down.  I can also experiment with cinematography by using long shots. The intertitles are bold so I can take this as inspiration for my own as well.