Summer Task

In the following I am going to discuss the similarities and differences between the opening/title sequences of LA Noire, a 2011 video game published by Rockstar games and LA Confidential a 1997 crime drama.

Themes:
Both of these clips contain voice-overs which are presented as being very similar to traveling ads. Despite having been released on different forms of media, these scenes appear to be very similar. Firstly, they both start off with a idealistic view of 40s/50s LA and have strong emphasis on promoting the American Dream. Both the clips place strong emphasis on freedom as being a defining aspect of LA. One of the clear differences is that LA Confidential is more interested in showing the more natural scenes such as orange groves, beaches and gardens and  uses the phrase "the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see" whereas, LA Noire is more interested in presenting the city's urban features and interestingly uses the phrase "A city that has no boundaries, that stretches as far as the eye can see".

LA Confidential gardens

LA Confidential Apple groves

In the opening of the LA Noire sequence it places strong emphasis on the car as a symbol of freedom "A city, based not on the man but on the automobile".

Both of the clips place strong emphasis on productivity and movement throughout to promote the idea that LA is a lively city with lots jobs and productive output.

Mise en scene:

In terms of mise en scene, both of the clips are extremely similar in what is shown in the shots. Firstly, The buildings and scenery generally feature warm and natural tones whereas the colors of cars, clothing and other man-made objects are in typical 50s style and comprise of bold and vivid which creates a contrast between the two. Some of the included scenes in LA confidential are black and white to give it a sort of found footage feel throughout.

The clothing the characters wear in the sequences are very similar and they are mostly showing wealthier citizens in formal attire and what at the time would have been fashionable new fashion to which suggests that LA's citizens are generally very affluent and modern people.