Media Essay 1 - A Quiet Place Opening Sequence
The opening scene of 'A Quiet Place' creatively establishes the scene with good use of the 4 technical elements. The scene starts with a collection of establishing shots, ranging from close-ups to wide shots. These shots start outside, and are accompanied by the diegetic ambient sounds or wind blowing through the desolate streets of the town. When paired with the setting and how it is portrayed, this perfectly sets an eerie, apocalyptic and mysterious scene; depicting an abandoned town with overgrown vegetation, and scattered objects, depicting a post-apocalyptic world. The color pallet in the establishing shots uses very washed out and muted colors, which could show the bleakness of the world, and create the idea that there is no joy or fun in this world. This is later supported when Lee (the father), tells Beau (the youngest son) to leave behind his toy rocket. Within These establishing shots, there is a good use of sound perspective, as the volume and sounds change depending on the shot and its location. There is a quiet diegetic metal clanging sound in the background of the first 2 establishing shots. This sound is then amplified and exaggerated on the 4th establishing shot, which is a shot of a community bulletin board covered in 'missing person' posters. This gives the audience an uneasy feeling and communicates the idea of a danger in the area. The eeriness is also emphasized by the slow paced editing, which draws out the scenes to amplify the effect of the silence, mirroring the rules of the 'new world'.
Almost all sound is lost once the shots are taken within the pharmacy. There is a sharp contrast between the natural lighting outside and the low-key lighting inside. Most of the shots in the pharmacy before the characters are introduced are ground level shots which can give the audience the idea that there's a need to 'lay low' and hide. Suddenly in the midst of the silence Beau runs past the camera. The use of the hyper-real sound can be seen as an audio misdirection, and almost a fake-out scare. The audience is then introduced to Regan, the deaf daughter. One of her first few shots is a close-up of her feet as she tip-toes through the pharmacy. This highlights the careful movements of the characters, reinforcing the theme of silence and danger. This is also reinforced later on when there is a close-up mother's hands move carefully between medicine bottles. While Regan is cautiously moving through the aisles, there is a medium close-up shot of her, and in this shot all the sound has gone dead silent. This is a creative way to highlight her disability, as her hearing aids can also be seen in the shot. This shot is followed by a couple of panning medium shots of Beau running through the aisles, this not only displays his innocence in a time like this, but also gives opportunity for a transition to the next character Marcus (the son).
We are introduced to Marcus with a mix of a partial obstruction shot and depth framing. This along with his heavy breathing as he leans on the shelf can show how he is vulnerable, anxious, and scared. In this shot the lighting is brighter as more natural light is able to seep into the pharmacy, and Evelyn, the mother, can be seen approaching. This can convey the comforting and caring nature of a mother. The change in lighting also gives the audience a break of the chiaroscuro lighting that was used in the shots of the aisles. There is then a steadicam rise as the camera moves up the shelf. As focus shifts between the pill bottles and the mother, it can show how she is searching for the pill bottles. It can also convey the idea of uncertainty in the situation as the audience doesn't know whether to focus on the mother or the pill bottles, in turn creating suspension. The camera then returns to Marcus, who is now looking in the mother's direction. His facial expression almost shows a guilt or worry as the pills are for him, and he doesn't want his mother to make noise trying to save him, since the noise may attract the danger. There is then a close up of the mother as she carefully fiddles with the pill bottles making sure not to knock them over. As stated earlier this reinforces the theme of silence and danger. She successfully retrieves the pills and there is a steadicam drop as she returns to Marcus, giving him the pills. The amplified sound in this one-shot, as the pill bottle taps on the rack adds suspension to the already suspenseful situation.
There is then an over-the-shoulder shot of Regan looking at her mother giving meds to Marcus. This is when we are first introduce to the main form of dialogue in the movie; American Sign Language. The use of ASL reinforces a recurring theme of adaptation throughout the movie. Then the shot changes to a two shot of the mother and Regan, showing how they have a good relationship and are likely close. However this shot doesn't last long as Regan gives an unsure nod and moves on. This could show how the relationship isn't strong, even if they're close. The shot then changes to a full shot, showing Beau in an aisle drawing on the floor as Regan comes into frame to join him. This full shot is now a two shot as Regan crouches next to Beau. As the shot changes to a close-up of Beau signing "Rocket", it foreshadows an incident that happens later on in the movie. The shots alternate between Regan and Beau as they communicate. This almost relates them to each other, and it can be picked up that they are both innocent, which can also foreshadow issues to come later that may be due to their innocence. Regan's smile fades when Beau says the rocket is their escape, which shows how she is sorry that he didn't get to have a normal childhood. After their interaction, the camera focuses on the drawing of the rocket on the floor, which once again foreshadows a future incident.
The audience is then met with a shot of Beau standing on something, on his toes as he reaches up the shelf to reach a toy rocket. The reoccurring theme of a rocket with Beau shows how he has big dreams, but also emphasizes his innocence. Themes that can be picked up from a rocket include ambition, innovation and freedom. However rockets are loud and in this world, noise means danger. This is why the rocket can foreshadow both positive and negative scenes. The camera tilts up, now showing a low angle shot of Beau reaching up to the highest shelf. The low angle builds, suspense because the audience knows that if anything fell from that height, it would make a loud noise; which could mean danger or death. The match on action as Beau knocks off the rocket and as Regan catches it, shows the climax of the suspense but also exaggerates the danger of having a young child with you in a world like this. This editing shows that the characters need to be ready to act fast when it comes to the youngest; who is stereotypically clumsy.
Lee, the father is then introduced, and immediately there is a two shot of him and Regan. By now the audience can pick up that Regan is almost what connects everyone in the family, or she may be the reason they're alive; as they had to learn ASL for her in the first place. The wholesome interaction between Regan and her father when he tells her that he scavenged pliers for her sets up a foundation for their relationship to grow in the future of the movie. The whole family is then reunited in the natural light at the entrance of the pharmacy, but the camera focusses on Beau who joins them last. Everyone immediately seems tense, making the audience wonder what he may have with him. The deadly silence in this scene is almost intoxicating, building up tension, like something could happen any moment now. It is then revealed that Beau was holding the toy rocket, as his father carefully takes it from him and takes out the batteries. With may close-ups the camera shows the father waring Beau, and the mother trying to comfort him, and as everyone (except Beau and Regan) leaves, the audience hears their first non diegetic sound; a calm, eerie and almost melancholic score played by a reverbed piano. This sound only lasts for about 6 seconds, as it cuts when the camera shifts onto Regan.
Overall the opening sequence of 'A Quiet Place' has been masterfully put together, focusing on slow-paced editing, low-key lighting, and almost purely diegetic sounds. The camera work mixed with the lack of non-diegetic sounds, make an excellent immersive, apocalyptic world.
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