Research into Drama Opening Scene

 I have chosen the opening scene for the film Trainspotting to analyse as a drama. Trainspotting was made in 1996 and directed by Danny Boyle. It includes the cast of Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Robert Carlyle and Kevin McKidd.

This opening scene portrays a non-linear narrative and the target audience for this film is adults which are conveyed using drugs presented in this scene hinting that this is going to be a key theme throughout linking to addiction relating to heroin. The drama genre of the film is presented in this opening scene by making it very plot-driven with many different scenes in a short amount of time and the chaotic tone of the film is portrayed using short-duration shots combined with the crime element to the first few minutes of the film. The setting and characters of this opening scene are realistic and the immediate chase at the beginning grips the audience.

In this opening scene, we are presented five characters, Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud and Tommy. The first shot the audience sees is Renton running from security conveying that there are going to be themes of crime and conflict throughout. The non-diegetic use of the soundtrack of ‘Lust For Life’ combined with the voice-over of Renton making an inspirational speech about morals and success creates a sense of excitement and chaos. When Renton gets hit by the

car, he gives a crazy laugh combined with wide bloodshot eyes hinting that he is perhaps high and doesn’t care about the events taking place portraying that this is going to be a high-intensity emotional drama.

On the words, ‘choose good health’, said by Renton in his narration, he is smoking which is ironic emphasising how unbothered he is. The abandoned house which looks unhygienic makes the audience question who this man is and why he is giving this ironic speech because of the contrast of his actions. The opening scene takes place in the early 1990s which is conveyed through their costume and the location of modern Edinburgh. One of the characters, Begbie, smiles as he attacks one of the players from the opposing team in their sports match which makes him seem like a violent character enhancing the drama aspect of the film. Renton’s heroin use makes the audience assume that he is unhappy with his life conveying perhaps high-intensity emotions that will become more apparent in the film linking to conventions of a drama genre. The fast-paced short,

snappy shots in this opening scene portray elements of chaos and commotion foreshadowing further events in the film. 

I think that the film will be about Renton’s struggle with using drugs as the scene ends with “Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?” conveying that this is going to be a key theme throughout. The audience is engaged immediately through the rapid exciting chase combined with the upbeat soundtrack. I believe this opening scene is very effective as it engages the audience and hints at the storyline of heroin addiction portraying the genre of drama.