Donnie Darko Opening Analysis. (Camera)

(00:00-04:09) 
(Opens with the logos of the institutions involved with the making of the film)

Camera: 

(00:50)
Opens with a panning camera. This shows the audience the location but also having a panning camera combined with a fade from black transition is effective because it almost gives the illusion that the audience is opening their eyes and looking around because the panning camera is like a POV (Point of view) shot for the audience. This gives the illusion that the audience is actually present within the scene. Having this at the beginning of the scene is effective because the main character (Donnie) opens the scene by waking up in the middle of no where and begins to look around. This can make us relate to Donnie because the illusion created by the camera and editing techniques will make the audience empathise with Donnie because it feels like we're in the same situation as him.  

(01:13)
The camera starts moving towards Donnie who is laying down on the road. This is effective because this is another POV shot for the audience because it's almost as though we're walking toward's Donnie. This also shows that Donnie is the main focus of this scene because there's nothing else around and the camera is completely focused on him and he is in the centre of the frame. 

(01:43)
The camera then begins to circle around Donnie. This allows the audience to get a close look at Donnie.

(01:57)
Cuts to a POV shot from Donnie's perspective. This is effective because this also allows the audience to relate to Donnie by letting them see the world him his eyes. 

(02:04)
The camera stops panning when Donnie stands up. this makes Donnie's head in the centre of the frame. This makes Donnie the main focus on the screen. 

(02:11)
The camera doesn't move and Donnie turns around. This is a medium shot of Donnie. This allows the audience to see his facial expression clearly. 

(02:31) 
The camera is ahead of Donnie while he's on the bike keeping a steady pace in front of him to keep him the frame. This is a long shot. (It keeps Donnie's full body in the frame). The camera must move at a steady pace. They probably used a vehicle of some kind to do this. 

(02:34)
The camera is now beside Donnie at a low angle looking up at him. This shot is a medium shot.  Again, the camera must be attached to a vehicle of some kind in order to keep up with Donnie. 

(02:42)
The camera is now ahead of Donnie again. 

(02:46)
The camera is now taking a POV shot through the perspective of Donnie's view. This is effective because this allows the audience to relate to Donnie because the audience is looking at the world though Donnie's perspective. 

(02:53)
The camera is situated behind a sign that talks about a Halloween carnival that will be happening in the town that Donnie is cycling through. This is effective because it gives the audience information about the time of year the story is in and it also tells you where the location of the story is. 
The camera then pans to the right to capture Donnie in the frame as he is cycling past to make him the main focus. 

(03:00)
The camera is panning down the street. This gives the audience a good view of the neighborhood and also makes the joggers the main subject of the frame for a moment. By doing this the audience will realise that this town is just like any other town because it has normal everyday people in it.

(03:03)
The camera is ahead of Donnie again. 

(03:11)
The camera then pans to the right and moves forward to show to other characters. The shot turns into a medium shot onto these characters.  

(03:40)
There is a low long shot looking up at Donnie as he gets off his bike. 

(03:44)
The camera pans down from a shot of the trees to reveal a girl jumping on a trampoline. This is a long shot. 

(03:56)
The camera pans down to the left to show a woman reading a book. This is a medium shot. 

(04:00)
The camera then pans to follow Donnie into the kitchen where it stops to show Donnie opening the fridge, which has a note on it that says: 'Where is Donnie?' This is effective because this will allow the audience to read the note but it also shows that Donnie is completely oblivious to the note.