Cronos

The Film I chose the do my 10 choices on was a spanish film called Cronos, directed by Guillermo del Toro. The scene I will be analyzing is the very first scene of the film, even before the inciting incident.

#1 In one of the very first shots of the movie both the alchemist (creator of the Cronos) and the statue are equal size and in focus, showing that both the object and the character and important and relevant to the progression of the story.

A couple shots later there is a close up the statue, showing that it will play an important role further along in the story. (if there is a gun in act 1 someone will get shot in act 3)
 * 2


 * 3

In the very first shot of the film there is a birds eye shot of cogs and metal bugs, while panning over all the small trinkets it represents the difficulty the alchemist is experiencing while attempting to create the Cronos.

This scene is lit very dimly, with not much light at all. Because there isn't much light in this scene it gives the effect that there is evil present throughout the scene. Which there is because the alchemist is messing with Gods creations.
 * 4

With the slow fade between each shot in this scene it shows that nothing is happening quickly. Because there is no real plot line yet there isn't any tension throughout the scene, making it simply a descriptive scene. If this scene were to be cut out it would not directly impact the plot line but take away some of the tension because the viewer would not understand the complexity of the devise.
 * 5

The general color of the scene is very warm, consisting mostly of orange. The effect that this color has on the scene is showing the liveliness of the alchemist's will to create the Cronos. With the expect of the very last shot being the only shot in a cool color, showing that darkness has overtaken the light.
 * 6

With the alchemist (only character in the scene) being a very slow moving person, it shows his patients. If the alchemist was a man who was always moving around very quickly instead it would change the overall outcome of the scene, and of how the audience views the alchemist.
 * 7

Because the room is lit in a fireplace and the alchemist is using a feather pen to write in his journal, the director is able to show that this scene takes place a very long time ago, adding more information to the theme of the story when later it cuts to the present time.
 * 8

The music used in the scene is not exactly suspense music but rather mystery music. The effect that this genre of music has on the scene is it adds more mystery because the Cronos which is being created is a very mysterious object, and it is the main focus of the scene.
 * 9

With the use of close ups, the viewer is able to understand the alchemist's thoughts and emotions at a higher degree. With the Alchemist looking off into the distance and a confused look on his face, and director is able to show that he is confused and attempting to think of a solution regarding the creation of the Cronos.
 * 10