Seripico Analysis

My Write up of notes on the film Seripico (Made in 1973)

I am currently unable to find a working copy of the opening title sequence to Seripico. I will add one as soon as I am able to find a working copy.

Title-

• Serif font 
• Quick momentum to create the feeling of emergency 
• A simple white text on a black background
• All the credits are at the start with the important parts of each credit, such as the names, are in a larger and bold font 

Mise en scene-

• The first shot is set in a police car with dark lighting to create a sense of enigma
• The clothing and hair of the characters establishes that the film is set in the present time of when the film was made (1973).
• Use of dull colours
• Lots of shadows and use of dark lighting too create an enigma
• To start the setting is a urban town at night but this changes to a well lit assembly hall and then onto a hospital with a blue/green tint of lighting as the scene progresses   

Camerawork-

• Most of the scenes are made up of close ups
• The main shot is tracking shot that follows the drama through the hospital. This use of shot makes the viewer feel as though they are following the drama and involves them in the film
• Close ups of peoples faces as they here about whats happened allows us to see their shock and gives the impression that it's either an unusual occurrence or that a tragedy has just happened
• Shaking cameras give the impression that it's an amateur filming the drama as though they were just passing by, saw what was happening and just started filming  

Editing-

• Titles Quickly fade in and out from black at a pace similar to a slow heart beat
• Cut-a-ways are used a lot to raise the tension and create an enigma but this also allows the scenes to move quicker
• Physical transitions are used, for example; before a cut-a-way a curtain is drawn obscuring the view of the camera before the scene changes. This exadurates how involved the viewer is in the drama

Sound-

• Police sirens put the viewer on edge instantly due to their loudness and connection to crime
• The sound of car wipers match the beat of a heart and slowly the tempo rises
• Typewriters can be heard 
• Sirens die down when they reach the hospital. This gives the feeling that they are now safe which slightly lowers the tension
• Children can be heard screaming in pain as the drama moves through the hospital
• Light hearted music allows you to feel calmer about the situation
• Though the light hearted music is calming it is also ironic to the drama that is unfolding making the viewer feel uncomfortable about the situation 

Narrative-

• The story seems to be about a possibly legendary policeman that has been shot and from the title sequences I would guess that someone, possibly a partner or friend goes looking for the mans killer.
• I get the feeling the policeman is a legend or highly respected man from the reaction of the people on the phones hearing about him being shot as they seemed confused and surprised that someone was able to shoot him

Genre-

• From what I can tell I would guess that the film is a mystery, crime, thriller
• I can reach this verdict from the event that is happening, the props that are being used and the camera shots that are used

Enigma-

• This film features a high feeling of tension and enigma due to the dark scenes and unrevealing close ups that are used through out the title sequence