Memento Analysis

The opening sequence that I will be analysing is from a film named ‘Memento’ (Nolan, 2000, US). I will be talking about the use of ‘cinematography’; meaning the different shot types that is used within this sequence, ‘sound’; meaning the sounds and music that is used throughout the sequence, ‘mise en scene’; meaning everything in the shot e.g. props and characters, ‘editing’; meaning the different types of editing that they have used throughout the sequence e.g. linear or non-linear, cuts or fadeouts and ‘titles’; meaning what font types of colour that they have chosen to use and why.  

This is the opening sequence: 

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Throughout the opening sequence of ‘Memento’ they have mainly used close up shots. They have done this to make it short and snappy but also to give the audience hints as to what is going to happen throughout the actual film which intrigues them and makes them want to watch the rest of the film. An example of a close up is when the man is holding a picture in his hand. All you can see is a part of his hand and the image. They have done this to make the reader question themselves and the film as to what has happened to the man in the image and why is he there. Another example is when it cuts to a close up of the bullets on the floor. They have chosen to do this because it gives the audience an idea as to how the man died maybe, but still leaves them questioning why it has happened. 

Here is the shots that i have analysed within my paragraph about cinematography:

During the opening sequence it has used a variety of sounds and soundtracks to create tension. An example of a diegetic sound that they have used within this sequence is the sound effect of the gun shooting and the camera sound affect as it takes a picture. They have chosen to add these sound affects in because it makes the audience feel as if it is more realistic and they could feel more involved with the film and make them feel as if they are there as it is all happening. Furthermore, throughout the opening sequence they have chosen to use a soundtrack in the background. By adding this soundtrack in the background it helps to add tension throughout the film and helps to create an atmosphere for the audience. The soundtrack used in ‘Memento’ is very slowing paced which creates quite a deep meaning. The soundtrack used is non-diegetic as the characters in the film cannot hear it only the audience can.  I think that the meaning of this soundtrack is something bad is going to happen. I think that the audience would react in a very sorrowful way to this soundtrack.

Here is a screen shot of the gun to show that it is creates a shooting sound: 

There are many different shots of each individual item; the items that they have chosen to shot are all specific props that have been used within the film and each have a meaning to. For example, they have a variety of close ups of things such as; bullets; man on the ground; glasses; picture and hands. They have only shown these individual items on their own to show the audience that what is in the image is important to the story line  Another example is when the character is wearing a long jacket/suit jacket. They chose to use a ‘medium shot’ to show the character as it shows the audience what the character is wearing so it gives them a rough idea as to what the character could be like and what sort of personality they have. By dressing the character in this kind of jacket, it could show the audience the character could be an important character within the story. Another example of mise en scene being used is when they cover up the windows with a white sheet. This shows the audience that no one currently lives in the building that they are in. 

Here is the shot that shows the character wearing smart clothing:

Here is a screen shot to show that they have covered the windows up using white sheets:

The main editing technique that the directors have used during the opening sequence of ‘Memento’ is the simple cutting from each shot to another. They have used simple cutting between each shot because it gives off a more serious effect. It’s short and snappy to give the audience a slight clue as to what is happening but not enough information to give the story away. Furthermore, at the beginning of the opening sequence they have used titles. The titles are a blue colour, they may have chosen to use this colour because you would usually associate blue with cold which could represent the fact that the story line to the film is cold hearted. The titles last for about 4-5 seconds each and they gradually fade in and suddenly fade out.

Here is a screen shot to show that they have used titles: