Inception

Sound

• There is edgy music at the beginning when Leonardo Dicaprio is washed up at the shore. 
• The music gets louder when a heated conversation takes place.
• They have a less heated conversation with another man, now there is no background music at all. This contrast a lot so you can tell the difference in importance of each conversation.
• The music then becomes loud again when they wake up in the next place. This shows that action is beginning again.

Camera.

• When he washes up on the shore there is a low angle on the building. This shows that the building is powerful or run by powerful people
• Close up on the watch which shows that time is important.
• There is a lot of over the shoulder shots when people are in conversations. This makes the audience feel as though they are there so they get into the film more

Mise en scene

• The scene starts with close ups of the beach - which is calm and peaceful. This then juxtaposes with a dirty, unhealthy looking man being washed up on the shore.
• There are a few guns shown in the opening scene which foreshadows danger and crime.
• When the man is first brought into the building he is wearing black ragged clothes and looks very unclean whilst he is having a conversation at the table with the old man.
• This then quickly cuts to a shot where he is sitting at the same table having a conversation with a different man. This time he is wearing a suit, his hair is washed and styled and he looks very smart. This contrasts a lot.
• There is an explosion towards the end of the scene which also foreshadows crime and danger.

Editing

• At the beginning there is very slow paced editing, especially during the second conversation. We then very quickly get into fast paced editing. This is massive contrast and builds a lot of tension.
• When the camera focuses on the two kids playing at the beach it goes slow motion. This implies that they are quite important.
• When he is falling into the bath he it is slow motion. This shot flicks back and fourth with another shot of him in his 'dream'. In this shot it is normal motion. The two contrast very well together.