This opening sequence hints at the setting, genre, narrative and use of mis-en-scene. It opens with a series of long establishing shots of the peaceful beaches of California, then we are introduced to the first character. The non diegetic soundtrack quickly ends as the opening sequence quickly changes from a peaceful opening to a dramatic life saving event. From this opening, the audience gets a clear understanding that this lifeguard is clearly strong and seen as a hero, as we have learnt from this introduction as he races to rescue a man from the water. We know from seeing this that the film will be based around the job as a lifeguard on the beach, however the mix of two different soundtracks indicate a hint of upbeat, lightheartedness tone and also dramatic, comedy and drama. The overdramatic rescue along with the opening title suggests that this film will be funny and light hearted.
Guessing from this opening introduction, given that it comes across as humorous and action packed, I think that it is directed at teenagers and family. It will priorly attract audiences interested in action comedy and romantic comedy due to the cast and also the storyline. However, the storyline includes references to drugs and crime so I doubt that it waked appeal to children under the ages of 15.
This opening sequence is clearly classed as a action/comedy through the use of conventions. Such as, this opening sequence gives hints that this one specific life guard could be the Hero. You could say that this twist in the opening sequence is exaggerated to be humorous, without any dialog, the use of slow motion editing and exaggerated music diffuses the seriousness of the situation. Exotic locations are usually used in action films as they keep the audience on their seat, in this sequence we can guess that it is set in California. Characters involved in action genre films include a protagonist, hero, villain, the donor, the helper and also a princess.
From this short introduction, we are only presented to one character, he is perceived as respectable due to his job title and as the camera purposefully uses low angle shots to portray him as powerful up on the lifeguard station. We instantly can recognise this character is a hero due to his fast reaction as the wind changes direction before he rises to save a helpless man in the sea. We see this character rase towards the water as he dives from the cliffs deep into the water and carries this man from the water.
We can tell that this is an action genre film, we know there will be more character to come which will support the hero.
During this opening sequence, the non diegetic calm, relaxing soundtrack quickly cuts as the camera follows the lifeguards eyes, darting towards the flag as it changes in the wind. The camera focuses on his head movement to show what he is looking at which corresponds with his fast actions. We see an establishing shot of a kite surfer, before a birds eye, fisheye view on a GoPro from the view of the kitesurfer as he falls to the sea. The parallel editing corresponds with the music. As the non diegetic sound speeds up and increases volume, the pace of editing increases to provoke a serious, action scene. The diegetic sound effects of the wind picking up and the crash of the sea waves creates a suspenseful, action tone. The screen cuts too black shots which could imply the speed of time as the lifeguard races to save this man. The use of handheld camera work following behind the lifeguard running creates a sense of speed and intenseness, at this point it is clear to the audience that this character is clearly a lifeguard given that his costume is the typical alarming red and yellow colour scheme and also the red life saving float. The camera time is long as the lifeguard jumps from the rocks into the water, this has been edited to slow motion to almost exaggerate the action in this sequence. The screen and camera time focused on the slow motioned jump into the water gives the audience the impression of this mans strength and power.
Overall, this opening sequence sets the humours tone if the film and indicates that this action film is quick light hearted and includes elements of comedy. It also indicates the location of the film and hints to the narrative. The audience is able to pick up on the storyline, based on the lifeguards rescue’s on the beach. The mix of soundtrack suggest the sense of romance as well as serious, dramatic, upbeat action. I think that this sequence gives a clear understanding of the narrative and hooks the audience to want to continue to watch more.
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