Opening Sequence - Fargo

Fargo – Opening Sequence
The title of the film:
The title of the film is called ‘Fargo’ and it appears in the centre of the screen after we see names of the actors and producers, and it’s on the background of the blue sky. It is faded in and also it is faded out. Also, when the name appears on the screen the music becomes a lot calmer almost like it’s calming the viewer, getting them ready for what is going to happen during the film.

How the setting/location is revealed:
Firstly, after we see the companies MGM and Polygram, we see a bit of text saying that the film is based on a true story. Finally, the audience sees a blue sky with titles on it, but it cross-dissolves into an establishing shot of a snowy road with a car in the distance, and this makes the reader question, where is this car going, why is it travelling in the harsh conditions.

Costumes/Props:
We first see the character of Jerry Lundegaard, and he is presented in a geeky way, with plain clothing and an oversized coat, also he is shown with a bowl hat on and he is presented as a scared character as he is hunched over, showing that he isn’t confident in what he is about to do. Also, the car is used as it makes the viewer question where is it going and what is the person driving doing.

Camera work/editing:
I believe that the establishing shot of the car driving down the snowy road worked well in the opening sequence as it uses the ‘rule of thirds’ and I feel that it’s a beautifully composed shot that does make the viewer wonder what’s going to happen in the film. Also, I feel that the long shot of the character of Jerry Lundegaard works well as it shows the audience that this is the main person in the film, and that something bad may/will happen to him.

Title and font style:
The font used in this thriller opening sequence is very similar to other opening sequences, the usage of capital letters that show a simple and traditional style to the title, and it is like that it doesn’t give away any information. Also, the actually typing ‘Fargo’ makes the viewer question what does this mean, and what has it got to do with the film.

How the opening sets the story:
Firstly the viewer gets to see a clear blue sky, almost like that everything is perfect, and it then cuts to an establishing shot of a car driving down the road, and the ‘rule of thirds’ is used with the road-side on either side and the car travelling down the middle. After the audience gets to see a long shot of a small country bar, and we know that it’s a country place as we hear country, folk music and there are old men in the bar wearing checked tops and gillets.

How does it suggest that it’s a thriller:
The audience could know that the film is going to be a thriller by the opening sequence, as there is a plot evolving between Jerry Lundegaard and the two hit men who are going to do something for Jerry. Also, the music can help suggest that it’s a thriller as it starts off very calm and it then builds up, and becomes louder building up more tension, making the viewer wonder what is going to happen through the film.

The characters introduced:
We first meet the character of Jerry Lundegaard when he walks into the bar, and he is represented as a geeky person, almost like he is unconfident and that he is of a lower status too the two hit men, who have more confidence as they are sitting up right and are more forward.

Special effects:
In ‘Fargo’ opening sequence I feel that there are no real special effects, as it is kept basic and simple, almost making it a lot easier for the audience to understand the plot and the characters involved with this plot that will occur in the film.