Research (Opening Examples)

Opening Research

While researching film openings related to my idea for an opening, I came across several that stood out to me as what I was looking for. These openings are discussed in detail below. 

The Fast and The Furious (2001)

Perhaps the best example of what I am looking for in an opening, the first installment in the F&F franchise does it best. It starts off in the Port of Los Angeles, featuring shots of the surrounding infrastructure before showcasing a truck full of expensive electronic devices. An over the shoulder shot of a dock worker letting the info about the truck slip is shown as it pulls out. The scene switches to the truck on an empty highway at night, when three black Honda civics pull up and take a formation around the truck, hijacking it, and making a speedy getaway. This scene perfectly balances and combines the two elements critical to racing action films: crime and illegal street racing with fast flashy cars. The opening also does not reveal detail on the characters but gives a vague outline of the plot and events later to come in the film, overall being very effective as an opening.

Similar Scenes; Ronin (1998) Chase Scene

Although not directly related to the approach I am taking, and the previously listed opening, the car chase scene in Ronin has some very useful elements. The start of the chase is due to the group attempting to make a getaway with a briefcase that is the source of conflict between multiple bounty hunters and the Russian mafia. The chase, featuring a BMW 535i and a Peugeot 406, is shot in extreme detail and blended in well with a typical French urban area. The chase scene is also very long and showcases a wide variety of stunts and rally techniques. Although I will not be going to such extremes in my opening, the concepts are very useful.