Pulp Fiction opening scene and titles

Camera Work -
> Shot reverse shot
> Two shot is used to show the relationship and equality between the two characters
> Mid shot is used for the majority of the opening scene to make the audience focus on the characters and their actions/reactions
> Close ups are used on the characters to show the conversation between the two
> They are also used to show the intensity of the situation.

Editing -
> Credits are made to stand out
> The background is made black so that they audience can't be distracted by anything else
> The names of the cast and crew are made to stand out
> This shows their importance in the making of the film
> Certain names are made bigger than others. E.g Quentin Tarantino; John Travolta; Samuel L Jackson; Uma Therman etc because they are what sells the film (make it a hollywood hit).

Sound -
>There are two songs used through the titles
> Both of these songs are upbeat songs
>This shows the irony of the film itself, although it is about criminals all in all it's quite a cheery and happy film
> The songs used are quite old school and give off a 70's vibe
> As does the rest of the film, this is common in Tarantino films as he likes to give them that edge
>This music also gives of a rebellious feel. which again fits in very well with the story line and the characters
>In the opening scene we also hear, in the background, the sound of plates and cutlery clanging about
>This gives an added feel of being in a diner, without the audience even realising it.

Mise-en-scene -
> Detailed decor in the diner/coffee shop
> Windows behind the couple show the outside of the diner to add to the realism of this scene
> The body language of the two characters seems oddly comfortable and relaxed for the topic that they are talking about
> The lighting in this scene seems to be quite sarcastic in that it is always bright and the sun is glaring outside of the diner
>This contrasts with the real situation where the two are planning chaos and pointing guns at innocent people.

1.) What's interesting about the camera work in the diner?
Throughout the diner scene we mainly see the two characters together in a 'two shot' and it revolves around the mid-shot used. The way the camera is angled at the edge of the of the table to make the audience feel like they could be sat in the diner, listening to that very conversation, being in that situation.

2.) What genre of film would this be classed as?
In my opinion this film would be a kind of hybrid genre, mixing in some crime, action and comedy. Tarantino is know for his crime/action comedies and therefore is also know for creating 'hybrid' films with a little bit of a few different genres involved.

3.) How does the film appear to be satire/humerus?
Although this film appears to be quite dark and serious crime/action. It soon becomes clear that this film is much more comedy that you first think. It is clear that the comedy that Tarantino is portraying in this film is far from 'slap stick' comedy.

4.) What is the significant's of the opening titles?
The opening titles are clearly supposed to be a very important factor for this film. The screen is turned black so that all the audience are able to focus on is the names of the majority of cast and crew members. The names of the more important people in this film are made slightly bigger to show their importance, for example: Tarantino; Danny DeVito; John Travolta; Samuel L Jackson and Uma Therman etc.