Deconstruction of Film Openings

Deconstruction of Hot Fuzz (2007) opening scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lqd-UwZmJ4

• Camera: 

A long establishing shot is used to introduce a setting (the police station) and the main character; this practice is common in films. Explaining the character's background and narration are also used to introduce the main character and to explain his importance. It does contain a few opening credits before the main action of the scene.

Almost every shot of Angel walking through Police Headquarters is a tracking shot, which signifies his importance as the main character. It switches between medium shots to close up shots to extreme close up shots in succession. This variety of camera angles makes the introduction fast paced. The montage frequently uses zooming both in and out to further increase the pace of the intro, and so that there is always movement.

• Editing:

The editing emphasizes the fast paced action by lots of close ups and medium shots in quick succession. It also uses overlays during the action parts to represent the character's determination. Match cuts are used to switch between scenes in the montage, which creates continuity and makes it feel fast paced. The editing feels more like that of a trailer, as it uses many techniques specific to trailers such as rapid cuts and overlays. This cements this sequence as a parody of action films, by using tropes common to them and giving them a comedic twist.

• Sound:

Almost every action is accompanied by its sound being emphasized, from drifting a car to clicking a pen. Most of these sounds are non-diegetic such as voice over and background music, with sounds being amplified to make actions seem more important than they are. The music is very upbeat to accompany the montage, but simultaneously it has a sound which suits itself to comedy. 

• Mise en scene:

The costume is the police uniform. Lighting is dull and in the shades of blue. Setting is of a police headquarters.