Category Four: shotsize/angle + camera movement

In the opening scene of "The Pink Panther" there is no change of shot angles and size only camera movement. I think this is because the entire opening scene is very simple and because it is a cartoon does not require the use of different angles.

At the very beginning of the scene the camera zooms into and through the pink jewel, a.k.a the pink panther, the shot shows the allusion and personalisation of the jewel to the pink panther. This is shown by the way that the camera zooms into the flaw in the centre of the gem, it has been said to look like a leaping panther, therefore resulting in the name.

This links into the film as a whole because the jewel that Inspector Clouseau is searching for is often referred to as the 'pink panther' and if not for the opeing the viewer could get confusing as to if they are looking for a jewel or a panther.

Blackout is used once at the beginning after the jewel and panther are shown and at the very end and both occur the same way, the pink panther snaps his fingers. This is called repetition. The way that they have used blackout makes it appear that the panther is incharge, or that he controls what happens. Also, the snapping of the fingers symbolises the beginning and the end of the opening.

 The camera then tracks a sheet of music as it travels through the air, this suggests that we are a part of the music as we follow its journey from the music stand to the inspector where he gets tangled up in the music. This movement of the camera is effective because it includes the viewer and makes it seem as one with the viewer. Also the camera follows the pink panther as he walks from one door to another in the inspectors suit showing the viewer that he can do what he wants and get away with it, and also tells the audience that he wants us included as he escapes the inspector every time, to create a feeling that we are helping the panther to elude the inspector's waiting hands.

These camera movements appeal to the target audience because it includes them in the film, makes them feel like they are in the screen with the characters rather than watching a movie from their couch. The fog and torch hint at themes of being hidden or obscured (fog) and finding or searching for something that has been lost or taken (torch/magnifying glass).

Category Three: Mis-en-scene/Composition

The pink panther himself is an allusion to the diamond, pink in colour and has an unusual flaw that looks like a leaping panther. This allusion makes the opening much more interesting to watch because it wouldn't be funny and mysterious watching an inspector search for a jewel.
The personification of the jewel as a panther creates a more entertaining and amusing atmosphere, which captivates the viewer ensuring that they want to watch the rest of the film.

Some of the props have a meaning behind them, such as the magnifying glass and torch which both appear at least twice. The torch is a symbol of searching for something that is hiding, in the shadows or somewhere dark and secluded. The magnifying glass is a symbol that you are seeking for something that is small and in an unknown location. It may be under a floorboard or hiding behind the mirror, the magnifying glass shows that what is being searched for is small.

The use of the smoke machine, used by the pink panther shows that he is covering his tracks from Inspector Clouseau. This is shown by the way that the panther looks cautiously behind him as he walks acros the screen with the fog machine in tow. And then the inspector comes through the fog as just a silhouette at first, with a torch searching for the jewel (image above). Fog often symbolises obscuring what people see, so the use of the machine symbolises just that, the panther is obscuring what the inspector sees, he shows him what he wants to see, that he has nearly caught the jewel.

The use of the long sheet of music that Inspector Clouseau gets all tangled up in is a symbol that the inspector is trapped and muddled when it can to the jewel. He isn't sure which way to go, where it will be or who will be guarding it if at all. He is just getting more and more trapped as he goes his own way searching for the jewel. The jewel is very valuble, priceless even and if he continues to get trapped and tangled then he will never get free and find the precious jewel.



And finally the poster is a symbol of the end of the search as it floats away in the breeze, that Inspector Clouseau never finds the jewel and just gives up in the end. The poster shows that not only is the pink panther missing but Inspector Clouseau is also when he "falls" into the poster, he is missing because he is continually avoiding assassins and being caught although it is unintentionally.

These allusions and symbols prepare and set the viewer up for the ideas used during this film. The magnifying glass shows or hints to the viewer that one of the main ideas is searching for something. This is shown by the way the inspector peers into the glass closely showing what he is looking for is small.

Category Two: Colour

The way that colour is used in this opening sequence is simple and bold. Colour is used to show different settings throughout the opening. The colours are simple with a darker shade at the top of the screen lightening down to a paler shade at the bottom. The use of simple colours adds to the simple music effects and camera movements. 

The main colour scheme is blue and pink with yellow and white. Inspector Clouseau wears a blue suit, sort like a train conductors uniform, with yellow trim and matching hat. The pink panther is pink and also has yellow eyes. This gives the viewer something that is  distinguishable about the character, the blue suit of the inspector and the pink panther and blue sunnies (if he is disguised). This choice of colour scheme shows the audience that the look they are trying to achieve is simple and not too "in your face".

The background colours is blue for the majority of the scene but it does change to pink when the title appears and yellow/orange when Inspector Clouseau and the panther dance together. I think the director has made all the colours block and simple because it is a cartoon and because it is a remake of the original 'Pink Panther' made in 1963, he couldn't add new colours or make it too different from the original movie. I think the director didn't want to stray too far from the original coour scheme because then the movie wouldn't be a remake it would be almost a new film because it is not that similar to the original already so to keep it a remake he included and used the same colour scheme.

The colours used in the opening scene are similar to those used throughout the film. Inspector Clouseau wears a similar costume in the movie (although it looks more like a navy suit than a train conductors uniform and is not worn for the entire film)  and there is a lot of blues, whites and yellows and a little pink used during the film.

Category One: Music

The music in this short 3 minute opening for "The Pink Panther" is used to create a comical tone and atmosphere with the repetitive tune through out the scene and the use of dynamics also adds a mysterious edge to it.

The music opens with the piano playing the main tune, then a saxophone joins the piano as the credits appear on the screen, now with the sax. playing the main tune. String intruments are then used to create a tango feel to the scene along with castanets and piano, the tempo is also slowed down and the tune is slightly altered to make it a tango.

The main sound is the soundtrack because there is no talking, only mime. The music helps to emphasise the emotions on the characters faces. Such as when Inspector Clouseau steps on what he thinks is a burning emeber, his facial expression changes to one that looks like he thinks he is outsmarting the flame. but it changes to shock when his foot falls through the ground. The music slows down in anticipation of the inspector's fall, building a comical suspense as opposed to in a horror or thriller film the volume builds up gradually and the pace quickens. The music is also used as the characters voices and emotions, an example would be when the music changes to a tango to show the love interest in the film, this shows how the  inspector feels about the love interest.

Because there is no talking in this scene the opening also relies on diegetic sound, such as the click of a gun, and the rustling of paper in the breeze. This is to add a more realistic touch to the scene because the opening is a cartoon, and with only music the opening would appear almost dull, and unreal.
The "Pink Panther Theme" helps show us (the viewer) the different personalities of the characters, Inspector Clouseau and the Pink Panther. The music shows us that the pink panther is sneaky and cunning. I said earlier that the music gives a mysterious feeling, it also gives the panther a feeling of cleverness, because you are seeing it continually outsmarting the inspector the music adds to that. The inspector however, is portrayed as a clumsy and stupid character. This is shown to the audience by having the saxophone slide off the end of some of their notes whenever he stumbles or falls.

 The "Pink Panther Theme" is a world famous song, used as school orchestra pieces and even ballet dances, just think if it wasn't for the music in this film, it would have never existed. Henry Macini wrote this theme for the 1963 film of "The Pink Panther" and it was released as a single by RCA Records in 1964, it reached the Top 10 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart and won three Grammy Awards. I think this theme is world famous because it was used in the opening and closing credits for all the films of "The Pink Panther" except  for "A Shot in the Dark" and "Inspector Clouseau". So the use of the theme became popular around the world for teens and others who watched it.

Genre/Atmosphere - The Pink Panther

What is the tone?
The opening of "The Pink Panther" is a comedic and secretive tone. This is created through the music the "Pink Panther Theme" and the panthers actions, this adds an extra feeling to the opening, like someone is continually sneaking up on you, which is what Inspector Clouseau is doing to the "Pink Panther".  The comedic tone is shown several times throughout the film when Inspector Clouseau attempts to capture the diamond. For example, when Clouseau gets out of his little car and gets his foot stuck in the window,

Or his facial expression when his foot falls through the floor while putting out an ember....

He thinks he is being smart by stamping out the last flame....

But then his foot falls through the floor and ends up falling two stories.

Mood of the opening?

The mood of the opening is funny and comedic at the beginning, it made me laugh when he karate chopped the credits, when the "Pink Panther" did the tango with Inspector Clouseau the mood changed to sassy or almost seductive but in a humorous way, because the inspector doesn't want to dane  especially with an imaginary thing.

How is it created?

The comedic tone and mood are created by the actions performed by the inspector and the pink panther, these actions are neither sad, nor serious nor scary. These actions show everyday things, like listening to music, but because it is a cartoon Inspector Clouseau gets tangled in long music sheet and cannot free himself this is funny because it isn't possible in real-life.



Preparation: Reason for selection - The Pink Panther

Briefly describe the opening

The Pink Panther begins with a diamond, which supposedly contains a flaw that looks like a "leaping panther" when held to the light a certain way, this flaw is zoomed up on and turns into the "pink panther", then throughout the opening scene it shows the "pink panther" continually avoiding and outsmarting Inspector Clouseau, a not-too-bright inspector who is stuggling to find the "pink panther" diamond while evading assassins from all over the world.

How does it fit into the film as a whole?

It shows how Inspector Clouseau is not able to catch the "pink panther" and when he thinks he has it, it gets away from him. It shows that the "pink panther" is smarter than the inspector although it is a priceless diamond.

Why did it appeal to you?

It appealled to me beacause of the music, "Pink Panther Theme" and the comedic side to it, "The Pink Panther" is a well known film by all ages and ethnics. And it also has a lot to write about, from music to transitions+length of takes.  "the Pink Panther" is a well written film with an amusing opening scene that captures your attention and invites you to watch through to the end.

Pink Panther

I have changed my opening title to The Pink Panther directed by Robert Simonds. This is because it has a lot more to write about in general compared to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World 's opening title.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKPxHZ5OcQ
^ Pink Panther (youtube)