Non-genre specific film opening analysis of Titanic.

The film Titanic begins with flashback footage showing the actual Titanic ship sailing, it is not in colour to give a sense of history and the past. It sets the scene by showing how it was such a happy time for people but also brings a sense of sorrow because it was such a tragic time in history. The music emphasizes this emotion as it is calm and slow. As one flashback fades into the other, the audience get a real idea to how big the ship was and how many lives were lost at that time. Also by seeing people so happy and the fact that these were also the people who sadly lost their lives to this tragic event, is heartbreaking. These flashback videos are occurring during the credits to set the scene and base of the film. In the screen shot to the left, the sepia colouring shows that the footage is from the actual event, the fact that the music is in replace of the sound from the actual footage develops the sympathetic feel that the film wants to achieve. 

It then reverts to present day by going into colour, it begins deep down in the sea in which men are in a submarine looking at the Titanic ship. There is slow, mysterious music playing with a women's voice harmonizing over the top. It gives an impression of a romantic feel because the music is slow and calming.This implies that this will be a romance. As the music continues the shot of the submarine becomes smaller and smaller and less visible. The music fades out at the same time. The sonar noise of the submarine starts, this creates the feeling of actually being there. The music begins to build again as they find the Titanic, this builds up the suspense and atmosphere of finding the ship that sunk and to which many lost their lives to. There is a point of view shot which also makes the audience feel as if they are there, allowing the audience to understand how amazing this discovery is. The sonar noises and mechanical noises continue to build up the suspense.There are many shots from the outside of the submarine to provoke thought on to how scary it must have been, being in the ocean, alone. The darkness of the shot makes the audience feel cold and as if they are experiencing what those people experienced. The music builds suspense and mystery further creating this atmosphere. 

The machines used in this scene shows how much time has moved on and how things have developed. It emphasizes how long ago this event was but also how quickly things change. As time goes on from them trying to find things in the ship wreck, it begins to focus on an old lady, suggesting she was involved with the Titanic. This is because she reacts solemnly to a news report being given. The atmosphere increases with the change n music, it becomes cheerful and almost magical as it is revealed that the old lady is also the lady who is in the drawing that was recovered from the ship. There are many close up shots to show the emotion of the characters, the bright lighting imply that this is going to enlighten these people who are discovering the ship. The warmness of the light give the feeling of being warm, which contrasts with the beginning with the deep blue colours. 

The extreme close up really emphasizes the emotion the character feels to seeing a drawing from such a long time ago. The slow and sad music that is being played in the background exaggerates the emotion further and gives the impression that this drawing holds a big place in her heart and perhaps a does the person who drew it. The fact it is of her makes the audience presume that the person who drew it was her significant other (a loved one) that perhaps was lost, the music suggests that sadness and sorrow. 

It immediately jumps to a flashback of that drawing being done, it is also shown with an extreme close up to show the passion in the mans eyes. The closeness implies love. The fact that the flashback is in normal colour and is jumped straight into, shows how vivid these memories are and also that they hold such a big space in her heart. There is magical music being played in the background, it is light and easy to listen to. The music develops the emotion further. Throughout the scene, there are many close ups of the main character,Rose, to her grief. The close ups give an impression of intimacy and a love she once had for someone. 

As Rose begins to remember the events, it flashes back to the past of her being on that ship. it goes from the dark colours to bright colour, perhaps implying that her time on the ship was enjoyable. The scene continues and as she begins to recall her time on the ship the magical music begins to play and invites you in to hear what happened. It goes off her and onto the shot of the Titanic wreck, where the story begins.