Project X - Opening Scene Analysis

Project X
Genre: Crime/Comedy

Camera Shots
The first initial camera shot we see is a mid shot of one of the main characters, Costa. But the film starts off looking as though it is self filmed by one of his friends, trying to give it that home made film look and feel. This friend of theirs then follows Costa into the house with an over the shoulder shot.

Characters
We're first introduced to Costa who comes over as a very confident character, but also looks as though he's only got this cocky and confident act in his comfort zone with his friends. He is the one who is all out in throwing a massive party at his friends house known as 'Project X'. We are then introduced to Thomas's mother who overheard Costa talking about the party, which made her slightly suspicious. I also get the feeling that she believes anything Thomas or his friends say to a certain extent, so she has a sense of being gullible to her to.

Mise en Scene
The mise en scene is pretty much Thomas's house throughout the whole film, not just the opening scene. Although the first shots start outside in his front garden, then it does move through to his kitchen where Thomas's mum confronts him (Costa thought that Thomas's parents had left, this is why he went in, in the first place. But overall the mise en scene is generally sofas, television and other household items.

Sound

The film starts off with diegetic sound, as we can see what is making the sound on the screen. For example, passing by cars, Costa talking and any other type of sound similar to that. Then as Costa starts to walk into Thomas's house, as the camera follows him non-diegetic sound plays as he walks down the path. This means that we cannot see the source of sound on the screen.