Analysing Film Openings - Snow White and the Huntsman

Scene Summaries – Snow White and the Huntsman First Two Minutes

A simple ‘Universal Pictures Presents’ in cream writing against a black background fades in, the background then turns to blue, then white, and the camera is focused on snowflakes falling, as the title ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ appears in big black lettering. The letters then blur out into the background, and the scene refocuses on a large snow covered garden, where a figure in a gray cloak is walking away from the camera, which pans up and becomes the establishing shot. The camera sweeps up and shows a grand castle in the background, the garden leading up to its entrance.

Light, tinkling, non diegetic sound is then heard, which fits the calming atmosphere that has already been created.

Then a male voice over is introduced. ‘Once upon a time, in deep winter, a queen was admiring the falling snow, when she saw a rose blooming in deviance with the cold. Reaching for it she pricked her finger, and 3 drops of blood fell. And because the red seemed so alive against the white she thought, “if only I had a child as white as snow, with lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ravens wings, & all the strength of that rose.” ‘

Whilst she is thinking about her unborn child, her hand curls protectively over her stomach.

The narration continues:

‘Soon after, a daughter was born to the queen, and was named, Snow White.’’

When the narrator speaks of Snow White being born, the scene cuts to a grand bedroom where the Queen is lying in bed, holding her new born baby, whilst the King watches on fondly. The camera switches between the two of their faces with close ups to show their emotion, before focusing on Snow White.

 ‘And she was adored throughout the kingdom, as much for her defiance as for her beauty.’

The scene changes again, and cuts to a low level shot, behind Snow White as she walks through a field of wheat. Snow White is walking through the field with a companion, a boy who looks to be a few years older than her, and in her hands she holds a Magpie. A close up of her face is shot, as her eyes dart down to watch her step, and then back up again to her destination.

*Universal screen shot*

Universal Studios logo comes onto the screen, then fades to black.

*Snow White & Huntsman screen shot*

Black background blurs into title screen, the white background refers to Snow White herself, but also makes the writing stand out.

 *Snow garden screen shot*

Establishing shot, the narrator tells us about a Queen, and when we see a grandly dressed woman walking in the caste grounds we can make the connection.

*Shallow focus of rose screen shot*

The rose is in focus, but the Queen is a visible blur in the background.

 *Blood drops screen shot*

The blood droplets fall in slow motion, the camera follows them as they fall.

 *Bedroom screen shot*

The doors open and the camera enters as the maid does, from this mid shot angle the audience can see the location, which is the bedroom, and this gives the indication that the Queen has just given birth as she is holding a baby whilst lying in bed.

*Queen and Kings face screen shots*

These two screen shots help show the Royals emotions, and help the audience connect with them and like them.

*Low wheat screen shot*

This shot makes is seem as though the audience is walking with Snow White through the wheat field.

 *Close up SW screen shot*

The audience is shown a close up of Snow White’s face to connect them with her, and shows her eyes which switch between being focused on the ground and then up towards her destination.

 Use of Sound:

As Snow White is carrying the bird through the field, the natural sounds of the nearby forest, and the workers harvesting the wheat can be heard in the background (diegetic sound), which make the setting seem natural and realistic.

Very little happens in this sequence  - it is all about setting the scene and creating an atmosphere. We need to avoid the temptation of doing too much and make sure we focus on character and atmosphere in our opening.