Analysing the Codes, Conventions and Narrative of the Opening Title Sequence of Fargo

Fargo:
This neo-noir crime thriller is set in Minnesota in 1987. A man in serious debt hires two men to kidnap his wife so he can collect ransom from his wife's wealthy father to pay off his debts. However, the plan is jeopardised when the kidnappers shoot a state trooper.

From the frozen image, I can see that there are a group of men having a conversation in a bar. In the frame, one character is positioned with his back to the camera which adds a sense of mystery to him, the other two characters can be seen clearly from above the table. To draw attention to the character talking, there is strong lighting on him whilst everything around him and the other characters sort of blend together as it is dark.

All characters are shown from above the table in an over-the-shoulder shot that is a medium shot- this is so all characters involved in the scene are able to be seen. This shot suggests that the men are in some sort of negotiation but it is informal as the clothing is quite casual; the beers on the table reinforces that the location is in fact a bar and the cigarette is a conventional aspect of a Film Noir. It is likely that the shot is filmed like this as the characters are in conversation and if it was composed differently it may not keep the audience interested, the camera is behind the character sitting on his own so everyone can be seen and some of the background is included to keep the 'bar' feeling alive. If this was filmed somewhere else, the camera may be at a different angle-for example if they were in one of the character's office then he may be show from a low angle so he appears to have the power.

The camera moves from one shot to the next when the character with the back to the camera starts talking so the audience can clearly tell who is talking. It is likely to be filmed in the evening due to the low levels of lighting, the amount of beers that have been drunk and the clothing worn, it is located in a bar as it is a conventional location to meet in a Film Noir as it is a place the 'everyman' often goes to- this may be relevant to the target audience. The informal clothing suggests that the characters are likely to be working-class and they are not attending a high-level business meeting; the body language of the character on the right implies that he is not interested in the other character as he is leaning back and barely looking at him. This suggests that the characters on the right does not know the male on the left that well, if they did they would be closer to him and more engaged. This frame could be seen as a pivotal frame to the narrative as it shows the characters negotiating and planning events that will unfold later in the film, however, it does not clearly describe the characters personality or keep the audience on the edge of their seats.