Trainspotting : Opening Sequence

Trainspotting is a film made based on a book also called Trainspotting about a group of drug addicts in Edinburgh and is narrated by the main character Renton played by Ewan McGregor. It showed another side to drug addicts which was never shown before and tackled an issue in society most films tried to avoid that is why I'm looking at it for my final project.

General Information
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Distributer: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Box Office takings: $72,000,000
Genre: drama/satire
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Johnny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd

Watch the openeing sequence here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naf_WiEb9Qs

Anaylsis

The clip begins with two of the characters running down a street being chased wiht comtempary music playing non-diegetically in the background and the narration over the top. A dolly shot it used to follow the characters running so the audience feels part of the sinario instantly which  I like. Also, the camera is quite close up so the characters expressions are easy to see straight away. The narration over the top of the action pairs up with what the audience can see and sometimes is quite ironic becasue of what you are visually being presented with.

What I really like about the opening sequence of this film is the freeze frames on each character which their character names appearing underneath to tell the audience who they are. Also, where the camera freezes shows you something about the character in that one still so it doesn't take long for the audience to feel connected and know what is happening.

The film also gets into what it is about instantly so audiences know from the beginning it is about some drug addicts. It is cleverly edited between the characters using drugs and doing thing which we see as normal for men of their age to do i.e playing football which shows that the film is not going to stick to the stereotypes of drug users and is going to show a different view.

Influence on 'Science Boys'
Trainspottings use of a dolly shot at the beginning is what me and kirsty were hoping to use throughout our opening sequence as we follow our characters along a school corridor. I love the idea of freeze frames on each individul character to show who they are and I think this will help bring in the genre of a teen-comedy-drama and make it slightly indie. Also, the music used in Trainspotting is contemporary (for when the film was made) and I want to use a modern song in 'Science Boys' to help attract and interact with the teenage audience we are hoping to pitch the film to.