Opening Sequence

Preliminary Task

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Applying Levi-Strauss' Theory to Opening Sequences

Levi-Strauss had a theory that the narrative of a film was made up of units that were all related in binary opposites.

Pale Rider (eastwood 1985)

Loud v Quiet
Innocent v Destructive
Fighting v Defending
Peaceful v Disruptive
Light v Dark
Good v Bad
Slow, stationary villagers v Fast paced horses
Night v Day
Life v Death
Men v Women
Group v Lone Man
Victim v Villain
Calm setting v Sound of horses
Slow pan at start v Whip Pan to follow action
Rich v Poor
Powerful v Defenceless

Die Hard (McTiernan 1988)

Busy Airport v Calm party
Safety v Danger
New York v L.A.
Love v Conflict
Man v Woman
Good v Evil
Life v Death
Happiness v Sadness
American v German
Novice Limo driver v Experienced cop, Bruce Willis
Victim/Hero v Villains
Work life v Home life
Celebration v Arguments
Prepared, organised villians v Unprepared Bruce Willis, bare feet in vest
Talkative driver v Quiet Bruce Willis

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