Transcript The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Analysis of Opening Title Sequences
The Butterfly Effect
Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Titles used
2004
How are the titles presented?
The titles are presented in script font, and are very thin and white with a thin black
outline which makes them stand out over the black and dark background. The names
come up separately to eachother which shows the importance of the actors, with the
most significant – in this case being Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart – appearing at the
beginning (after the directors and the producers).
How are they supported by the soundtrack?
When the Chaos Theory quote is shown, there is a little quiver of music which plays as
the words appear. This illustrates the worry that the quote brings on people, because
the music is similar to the noises the audience make when hearing something like that.
The titles are supported by the soundtrack because they keep in time with the beats.
The music is quite slow and the beginning and the names appear on the prominent
beats of the song. As the music gets faster, the titles do not appear and the drama of
the scene is more overpowering.
Mise en scene
What is the first shot?
Apart from the logos of the companies that made the movie, the first
shot is not of a captured video. Instead, the first shot is of a Chaos
Theory quote which says “It has been said that something as small as the
flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway
around the world.” This tells us, briefly, what the movie is about. It
creates an eerie tension to the beginning of the title sequence because it
features quite a negative topic.
After the quote, we then fade to a slow motion pan of a figure running
past a blinded window. As the music hits its highest tension point – when
all the violins are prominent – the figure kicks open the door and drums
begin to play in the background. We then see the figure (Ashton
Kutcher) slamming it shut and running off camera.
What elements of the location/setting in
the first scene indicate the genre?
The first scene appears to be shot in an office; there is a desk, paper,
office equipment and the writing on the front of the door says ‘Dr’ which
shows that the room belongs to someone of higher power. The lighting is
dark and the windows are covered. This indicates the genre because the
lighting is dark – a common element in Thriller films.
What does the first scene tell us about the
character?
The first scene shows us that Ashton Kutcher’s character is scared. His
tone of voice is quite quivered like the music as he hides under a desk
after forcing the door closed with a sofa, whilst writing on a piece of
paper, what can only be described as a suicide note. The letter reads:
“If anyone finds this, it means my plan did work and I’m already dead.
But, if I can somehow go back to the beginning of all of this, I might be
able to save her.”
This letter clearly depicts angst and it shows that he has a plan to
somehow go back in time. This illustrates that maybe he has something
wrong with him, because he believes he can go back in time – this is also
highlighted by the clothes he wears, because they are hospital robes and
the office door said ‘Dr’.
How is the narrative introduced?
The narrative is introduced when he writes on the piece of paper – he
reads it aloud so the audience can hear what he is writing. This also
shows a lack of mental wellbeing because if you were alone and writing,
you would not read it aloud.
How is the atmosphere created? How is this
a typical thriller film?
The atmosphere is created through the music – it is very calm and eerie.
There are also police shouting for him in the background. The fact that
he hides under the desk also suggests that there is something wrong in
the situation.
Camera shots, angles and movement
This medium shot is the first shot where you
properly see Ashton Kutcher’s face. This makes it
more personal for the audience as they can see
and feel his emotions with him.
This medium shot is used so you don’t see the
characters face properly – it creates mystery to
the audience.
This high angle medium shot is used to make
Ashton Kutcher’s character look insignificant.
This medium shot pans as the character pushes
the sofa - this makes the audience feel
uncomfortable.
This medium shot is used so you don’t see the
‘enemies’ face properly – it creates another
mystery to the audience.
This same medium shot shows the speed in
which Ashton Kutcher’s character is moving,
which shows he is in a rush.
This medium shot is used so you can see that
what he’s up to, and you can engage with the
character.
The close up shot follows him as he writes – it
makes it seem more personal for the audience.
There is a slow zoom on the close up to the
words ‘save her’ until it becomes an extreme
close up of the words – this makes it seem like
there is something personal, and from the note
we hear him reading as he writes, we can
understand what could be coming up in the
story.
Sound Track
Music
Sound Effects
Dialogue
Before the Chaos Theory quote appears on the
screen, there is a low hum emanating through the
shot of black. Then when the quote appears, there is
a ‘flutter’ of music, which relates to the word
‘flutter’ in the quote. It seems quite high pitched
and eerie, making the beginning of the film seem
disturbing before it’s even started. The low hum
then returns, and gradually gets louder, before
violins join and play high pitched, screechy sounds.
Another instrument plays a slow couple of notes,
until the violins become ever more dramatic until
they reach a climax as Ashton Kutcher kicks the
door.
The first sound effect is heard as Ashton Kutcher
kicks open the door. The clip is exaggerated by use
of this effect. The same is heard as he slams the
door shut, and the noise seems to echo slightly.
There is then a slight scraping noise as he pushes
the sofa in front of the door. A faint scratching
noise is heard as he writes on the paper – this would
not have been heard before if not for the effect,
which helps the audience to know that what he is
doing at that particular time is writing on a piece of
paper.
There is only a small amount of
dialogue, and that is just as Ashton
Kutcher reads aloud the letter he is
writing. It is a monologue, and helps
the audience to know what he is
writing.