Adulthood: Analysis of Opening Sequence

As well as analysing the opening of Kidulthood, we also wanted to analyse the opening of Adulthood as this was a successful film in the genre of urban realism.

We noticed that the opening of Adulthood began with a flashback and we wanted to include this in our opening sequence. We wanted to begin with a shocking image and then move back to take our audience on the journey that had led to that scene.  The flashback technique is effective in the telling of a story.

The editing used in the opening sequence after the titles is fast and this adds to the tension which is often there in an urban realist film which reflects the tension on the streets.  The titles show the production company, the distribution company and the creator of the film. 

The sequences establishes the location as an urban location with shots of the streets and clubs and establishes the types of characters, often on drubs and in violent situations ie; a character with a baseball bat, the police arriving at a crime scene and police sirens. They also establish the mood of the whole film through the fast pace and the narrative. 

There is quite a long establishing shot of traffic on the streets then we cut to a party where people are evidently taking drugs.  The main characters are introduced and these are young black London males involved in crime. 

As they smash a car window and escape whilst shooting, the title of the film is seen. 

The characters speak urban street talk which our group recognise as the film is based in our local area.  They also are dressed in costumes which are appropriate to the urban youth that can be found in the local area.  The characters are dressed in jeans, trainers, hoodies and leather and denim.  Many of them carry knives and some of them carry guns.  This creates verisimilitude as this is now the case in many central London areas.

There are some sympathetic characters that the audience will be able to relate to who do not wish to be drawn into a life of crime but are due to where they are born and brought up.  This was a point that we really wanted to make in our opening sequence because again this shows realism and it’s important for the audience to realise that social injustice exists. 

The music used is urban and fast paced and reflects the taste of the teens and therefore adds to the realism.  We want to use this type of music in our opening sequence. 

In terms of camera shots, we see low angle shots of the criminals which impress on the audience how powerful young criminals can be.  We have close up shots of the protagonists so that we can sympathise with them.

Overall I think this is an effective opening sequence with many technical devices that we can consider in our film especially the mise en scene which creates verisimilitude.