Second Paper - Opening Scene in Citizen Kane PDF

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Uddfors 1 A scene analysis of The Opening Scene in Citizen Kane In the opening scene of Citizen Kane, the viewer is swept into the narrative with prohibition and steady camera movement. To enhance the depth of the frame, the scene is shot in a triple-level structure displaying information in the foreground, middle ground, and background. The depth of the frame and camera movement works together to interest the viewer about what is hiding in the castle. Using this technique builds to the curiosity of the scene, and is also enhanced by the "No Trespassing" sign that gives a sense of fascination to the prohibited space. Consequently, the scene sets up a relationship between the camera and the viewer by establishing it as one of curiosity and investigation with the use of triple-level structure and sweeping movement. The location of the scene is depicted as an enclosed location where the viewer is excluded, which adds to the curiosity and mystery of the scene. Although the different shots capture many angels of the mysterious landscape around the castle, the viewer's focus is on the lighted window. By displaying the lighted window in the upper right corner in every frame it is inevitable that the window is where the viewer is directed, also because this is the only light in the shot. Additionally many shots are low angled from foreground to background, emphasizing the depth of the frame. Hence, the camera movement functions both literally and figuratively by building up a setting and a mystery at the same time. The lightening in the scene is a start for the noir films that followed in the next two decades. Cinematograph and lightening works together in the scene by allowing the viewer to see the foreground, middle ground, and background in one frame although everything has a clear and sharp focus. This technique requires the cinematograph to combine lighting, composition, and angle to produce the effect of curiosity. Effectively manipulating the mise-en-scène for this technique engages the whole frame without leaving the viewer confused. In these shots, the object of curiosity is the castle with the lighted window and by

Uddfors 2 introducing the setting and storyteller's world the viewer can almost be seen as an investigating eye when it moves inexorably into the narrative and zeroing in towards the window. The use of faded shots is quiet and calming and effectively allows the viewer to absorb the information in every shot even though a lot of information is introduced. By effortlessly passage from outdoors to indoors the camera act like a magic eye transcending space and transgressing prohibition. When the camera arrives by the window the light in the window unexpectedly shuts off and the non-diegetic music stops. While the music on the soundtrack is redolent with Gothic menace it also works in favor of the curiosity. The music builds up eeriness and fades in with the slow transitions to the next scene. Without a visible camera movement, the viewer enters the room with a long and dissolved shot, which upsets the transitioning of time and space. This is also where the music hits its highest point, which clearly demonstrates the importance of the shot. The glass ball triggers a memory for Kane, prompting him to whisper "Rosebud" before dying. This is also the next sound and the extreme close up of the mustachioed lips stating the word "Rosebud," emphasizing its importance and clues the viewer to what impact it might have to the overall plot. With an extreme close-up the camera reveals the glass ball, which contains within another space: the mother's log cabin. By introducing these different spaces the scene activates an investigating drive by doubting the story's actual location. The snow also contributes to creating this sense of doubt. When the snow fills the screen the viewer questions the reality, as the snow appears to be inside the room and not the glass ball. The next shot reveals that the image of the falling snow is used to introduce the glass ball. This uncertainty between psychology and literality empowers the viewer's curiosity and enhances a sense of disorientation, maybe as a warning of a distorted view.

Uddfors 3 With the slowly faded shots and the built up curiosity of knowing what is inside the lighted window, the viewer can sense a frustration and eagerness to investigate. The abrupt stop of the eerie music adds information to the scene by evoking emotions of tension and alerts the viewer about drama. Although the scene does not introduce an evident location the enigma is established and the triple-level structure of the frame encourages the viewer to take note of the visual clues in this scene and it simultaneously delays the gratification of understanding....