By Carly Mackey

The Beginning of the Butterf ly EffectThe Beginning of the Butterf ly Effect

The film begins with the company's distribution name and logo (New line Cinema)

It then goes on to give the audience an instant idea of what the film is going to be about with the sharp mysterious non diegetic sound effect, and with information on the chaos theory (the slightest thing can cause a major different) this may connote that this film is going to be based on small changes that lead to differential endings. This indicates to the audience that this is going to be an intelligent intense thriller.

With the uneasy music and the tracking shot of the character shows caution and uncertainty. With not knowing who the character is and not knowing what he looks like this leaves the audience in suspense.

As the camera is tracking this character the titles are placed in a way that they are overpowered by being at the bottom of the screen instead of being right in the middle of the shot.

When the tracking of the character and the titles has been shown the music suddenly gets louder and the beat gets stronger as the character opens the door, closes it right behind him and blocking it with a sofa. This may suggest a sense of urgency or time limit as there is a ticking sound in the music. This my connote that this character is the victim and is in serious trouble.

Low key lighting is used to set the scene making it mysterious by not knowing exactly what the character looks like and by not knowing exactly where the setting is. This may create tension for the audience with all of the suspense. From the characters type of clothing (blue hospital gown), name on the door, a desk, sofa and a lot paperwork around I would think that the setting is a hospital.

As the character starts saying what he is writing down the audience starts to get the idea that he may die. This is also show in how the music changes into a compassionate mood. Also the high angle shot used makes Evan look scared and venerable, and this gives the audience an instant indication that Evan is the victim.

The close up of the character show the audience what the character looks like and the concern on his face. There are diegetic sounds heard in the background while he is hiding under the table. The fact that he knows he is going to die as stated in the written dialogue on his scrawled note, makes the audience wonder why this is going to happen, and what events has lead up to this point.

Continuity editing is used to not draw attention to the different shot, showing that men are after this character and diegetic sound is used showing that they are getting closer. We as an audience assume that Evan has done something bad, because the men are chasing him; but we find out later that it is a doctor and some guards chasing him trying to sedate him because he is going to do something evil, but he is really trying to save someone's life

There is a point of view shot/eye line match with an extreme close up of what he is writing in the letter, this will give the audience a slight indication of what this film may be about and that is to ‘save her’.

This links back to the beginning of the opening title regarding butterflies and the chaos theory, this lets the audience dwell on fact on how the littlest changes can make substantial changes in life. From the last shot and the next clip uses an effect of butterflies fluttering from the words on the letter, also non diegetic sound was used from the sound of fluttering butterflies to show how significant butterflies wings are, but normally you don’t hear the flutter of the butterflies wings .

Target audience Sci-Fi and Thriller lovers

Representation of Evan Treborn This character is represented as the victim in this scene, this is shown by men that are after him and in the way that he was constantly looking over his shoulder. He is also represented as the hero I know this because he wrote in his note to ‘save her’, this creates an unselfish and determined character. However the clothes that Evan was wearing indicated that he is from some kind of hospital, maybe as he didn’t show any sign of distress it might not of been a normal hospital; it may have been an mental hospital. Evan looked quite under the weather as he was not shaved or wearing nice clothes.

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