Castle
Content
Analysing the opening sequence for Castle Andrew W. Marlowe 2009-
As the sequence starts there is non-diegetic sound made by the music and there is a narration. We assume the person talking is the man on the screen.
narrator establishes two types of people who murder. When these images pass he says “psychopaths” This tells us that it the show is about murder but the music is a whistled tune that gives a happy light hearted atmosphere.
The narrator then says “and mystery writers, I'm the kind that pays better” (images of fame are shown) this light hearted joke after images of death tell us that the show isn‟t dark and dangerous but more comic but sombrely.
“Who am I?” a rhetorical question, perhaps hinting that the viewer is given the chance to figure out answers themselves. The answer is right there in front of us, possibly obvious plot points.
Short cutes between the narrator saying “Castle” in different scenes so diegetic to the other characters. This confirms that the narrator is the man called Castle.
In the next shot he says in a scene from the show “ I really am ruggedly handsome aren‟t I?” another rhetorical question, and also self complementary which tells us that he possibly thinks he is better than he is.
A new character is introduced, she has a gun suggesting she is a dangerous character.
She then introduces herself to Castle, with diegetic voice in the show, and to us as Detective Kate Beckett
Just like with Castle we get the same short cuts between diegetic scenes of the character saying her name. She wears red in all scenes giving her status and power. She is also holding up her detectives badge in the second frame. In the third frame she says questioningly “Niki heat?” A close relation of Castle says “the character he‟s basing on you”
We then cut to Castle running away, her aggressive question makes us believe that she is not happy about the book being written starring her, this then juxtaposed with Castle running makes us think he might be slightly scared of her.
This close up on Castles Kevlar vest tells people that he is a writer in case anyone watching didn‟t quite understand.
This close up on Castle and Beckett just after they‟ve been shot at, shows that he follows her into the action and there is a high element of danger in the show.
Castle says “We make a pretty good team you know, Like Starkey and Hutch, or Turner and Hooch” Beckett replies with “you remind me a little of Hooch.” This shows there is a lot of witty remarks being shot back and fourth between the two characters bringing back the light atmosphere after the more serious shots of danger we saw a few shots earlier.
Then the title for the show appears with a distinctive guitar riff. The letters flash, possibly showing his fame and how he is being photographed by paparazzi, the pen strikes down as the edge of the „A‟ showing he is a writer and then blood trickles from the end like ink showing he is a murder mystery writer.
In Summary
The opening to Castle tells us many of the key factors of the series. It tells us that the main character is the writer, he has a strong relationship with the detective Kate Beckett, and that he is witty and funny. The show tells us that he joins Beckett on cases and he might even help to solve them. We are told that he is in the spotlight and there is danger in his life. We speculate if he might become a cop himself, or become a very integral part of the team.
As the sequence starts there is non-diegetic sound made by the music and there is a narration. We assume the person talking is the man on the screen.
narrator establishes two types of people who murder. When these images pass he says “psychopaths” This tells us that it the show is about murder but the music is a whistled tune that gives a happy light hearted atmosphere.
The narrator then says “and mystery writers, I'm the kind that pays better” (images of fame are shown) this light hearted joke after images of death tell us that the show isn‟t dark and dangerous but more comic but sombrely.
“Who am I?” a rhetorical question, perhaps hinting that the viewer is given the chance to figure out answers themselves. The answer is right there in front of us, possibly obvious plot points.
Short cutes between the narrator saying “Castle” in different scenes so diegetic to the other characters. This confirms that the narrator is the man called Castle.
In the next shot he says in a scene from the show “ I really am ruggedly handsome aren‟t I?” another rhetorical question, and also self complementary which tells us that he possibly thinks he is better than he is.
A new character is introduced, she has a gun suggesting she is a dangerous character.
She then introduces herself to Castle, with diegetic voice in the show, and to us as Detective Kate Beckett
Just like with Castle we get the same short cuts between diegetic scenes of the character saying her name. She wears red in all scenes giving her status and power. She is also holding up her detectives badge in the second frame. In the third frame she says questioningly “Niki heat?” A close relation of Castle says “the character he‟s basing on you”
We then cut to Castle running away, her aggressive question makes us believe that she is not happy about the book being written starring her, this then juxtaposed with Castle running makes us think he might be slightly scared of her.
This close up on Castles Kevlar vest tells people that he is a writer in case anyone watching didn‟t quite understand.
This close up on Castle and Beckett just after they‟ve been shot at, shows that he follows her into the action and there is a high element of danger in the show.
Castle says “We make a pretty good team you know, Like Starkey and Hutch, or Turner and Hooch” Beckett replies with “you remind me a little of Hooch.” This shows there is a lot of witty remarks being shot back and fourth between the two characters bringing back the light atmosphere after the more serious shots of danger we saw a few shots earlier.
Then the title for the show appears with a distinctive guitar riff. The letters flash, possibly showing his fame and how he is being photographed by paparazzi, the pen strikes down as the edge of the „A‟ showing he is a writer and then blood trickles from the end like ink showing he is a murder mystery writer.
In Summary
The opening to Castle tells us many of the key factors of the series. It tells us that the main character is the writer, he has a strong relationship with the detective Kate Beckett, and that he is witty and funny. The show tells us that he joins Beckett on cases and he might even help to solve them. We are told that he is in the spotlight and there is danger in his life. We speculate if he might become a cop himself, or become a very integral part of the team.
