Representation/Target audience: Everyone in the opening scene except the two children are males in their 30s and over which suggests that the film is aimed at teenagers and adults who can grasp the complex concepts in the film.
Micro analysis of the film opening including mise en scene and camera: Inception starts with an extreme close up on the main character's face as he washes ashore on a beach looking confused and tired. He is lying down on the sand which represents a position of weakness. This confusing opening is common with thrillers as it creates many questions for the audience as to how the main character (Cobb) got on the beach and why he is there. Also the beach's have connotations of happiness and joy which is contrasted to Cobb's dirty scruffy appearance. A POV shot is used to show Cobb looking towards a couple of children playing on the beach which again implies a contrast and seems as if there is a window separating Cobb from the children and that he is distant. However this still leaves alot of questions for the audience because they wonder what the significance of the children is. Also, there is a long shot of the children which conveys that they are very distant and can show Cobb's goal is trying to get to the children. This foreshadows the fact that the children are actually his kids. Afterwards, there is a low angle of a military guard with a rifle which represents dominance and power. This also contrasts to the children earlier and clearly shows that this scene is definitely not normal at all. He pokes Cobb with the barrel of his rifle and there is a POV shot of the guard revealing that Cobb has a gun. The costumes of all the adults wear dark uniform which shows that each of them are dangerous in a certain way whereas the children wear bright colourful clothing which portrays their innocence.
Diegetic sound: There is diegetic sound, synchronous sound of waves on the beach and a very quiet gasp from Cobb as he is washed up onto the beach. But then there is asynchronous sound since there is children's laughter.
Non-diegetic sound: Non-diegetic sound is very limited and we hear the score as very quiet strings are used whenever the camera is focused on the children which implies some sadness that Cobb feels when he looks at them.
Titles: The entire title sequence is at the start of the film and therefore is not shown in the opening scene. This is typical of a high budget film because titles can obscure what the camera is looking at. However since I am doing a low-budget film opening, I won't be able to make a CGI title sequence.
Restricted/Unrestricted Narration: Restricted Narration.
