(Pre-Production) Institutional information in opening sequence: Donnie Brasco

Through writing down all the actions, music and credits in the opening sequence I have a clearer of understanding of what goes into an opening sequence and how these things connect and flow together.

By creating this timeline (above) I have identified how the opening sequence to films usually flow. For example, I found that production and distribution companies logo's are usually seen right at the beginning of the opening sequence - above the film has begun.

I, also, found that the title for this film was shown after many of the credits. I will take this into account when creating my opening sequence, as I found that it rose anticipation for the film and is useful when watching the film in the cinema as it would give the audience time to settle in there sits and become ready to watch the film. (Suspend disbelief). As the title, 'Donnie Brasco', appears the mise-en-scene is of a close-up of a man's eyes, this connotes to the audience that the film is going to be about the character in the mise-en-scene of this shot. 


At the beginning of the opening sequence I found that no music played until 0.40 seconds, apart from when the Tristar logo was shown, this helped set the dark tone for the film to come. Also, when the non-diegetic music began to play it was very quite and created quite a spooky atmosphere.At this time, only one instrument is used, a violin, the violin was a high pitch tone. I will take into account how music is used to help create the spooky, dark atmosphere at the opening of 'Donnie Brasco', as I found it to be a quick way of creating a specific atmosphere. I will also take into account the use of only one instrument as I felt that this helped to connote that the film is perhaps going to be about or based around one character.


I was unsure of all the different roles the production time played as they appeared on the screen, such as: Executive producer Patrick McCormick and Alan Greenspan. However any role I was unsure of I researched into.


Executive produce = The executive produce handles business and legal issues and are not involves in any technical aspects of the film making.


Director of photography = The director of photography is the chief of the camera and lighting crew of the film. The DoP makes decisions on lighting and framing of scenes in conjunction with the film's director.


Costume designer = The costume designer is responsible for all the clothing and costumes worn by all the actors that appear on screen. They are also responsible for designing, planning, and organizing the construction of the garments down to the fabric, colors, and sizes. The costume designer works closely with the director to understand and interpret "character", and counsels with the production designer to achieve an overall tone of the film.


By creating an opening sequence timeline for 'Donnie Brasco' I now have a better understanding of what is needed in an opening sequence and how actions, music and credits are used to create different atmospheres to set the tone for the film to come.