Collateral Opening

The sequence begins with a medium close up of a mans face as he strolls through a train station. The man is wearing a smart, formal suit and sunglasses- connoting that he is a mysterious man with an air of authority about him. As the scene begins we can hear the ambient sound of people walking through and around a train station, however, the sound seems to be muffled, creating a sense of mystery about the scene.

The camera then cuts to a medium close up of another man walking through the same place. This character seems to be in more of a hurry then the other character, denoted to us by the heavy sound of his fast footsteps, and his anxious looks around the station. After this, the camera cross-cuts between the two men as they continue walking. The cross-cutting denotes to us that the characters are linked in some way, which is confirmed when we are shown the two characters bumping in to each other. As they collide, a close up is shown of one of the mens bags as it drops to the ground, and we hear an asynchronus 'swooshing' sound, which creates mystery and suspense. (Suggesting to us that it is a key prop).

As the scene continues we are shown an over the shoulder shot (over the shoulder of the first character) of the second character, as they exchange diegetic dialogue. The over-the-shoulder shot continues as the first character starts walking through the station again, suggesting to us that he is an important figure in the film. Also, a non-diegetic, asynchronus score begins to play in the background, creating drama and further suspense.

The camera then cuts to a close up of the top of a taxi, with a Bacardi advertising sign on it, suggesting to us that the taxi is soon to become important in the film. After this, the camera shows us another close-up of a newspaper, with what appears to be Hindi writing on it, suggesting to the audience that the scene is set in India. However, this scene is set up to confuse the audience about the location of the film.

The next scene is shown to us via the camera panning right. We are shown a group of men in a room working, and watching football on a television. As the camera continues to pan right, we see a man talking on a mobile device in diegetic dialogue, suggesting to us that he is a key character. The camera then cuts to show us another character, whom is working. We are shown a close up of his face as he looks at a taxi parked outside (shown via a cross-cut).

The camera then cuts to a low angle shot, in a car, as the newly introduced character enters it. The sound of people arguing outside the car continues to increase as the character cleans the cars interior. However, the outside noise suddenly halts as soon as the character closes the cars door, and the score drops to become barely audible, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

Finally, we are shown a close up of the characters drivers licence as he prepares to drive off, suggesting to us that it is a key prop. We are also shown a close up of a picture of an island, also suggesting that it is a key prop.