Positioning
Jim Phelps is sitting in his seat on the airplane, facing
the front of the airplane. This is building tension, he is sitting, waiting for
something to happen.Lighting
There
is most light on Jim Phelps, so as to give an indication as to who is the
centre of attention in the scene.
Acting
His
face suggests boredom and that he is tired. This suggests that he is not
stopping and he is not distracted from the task that he is set.
Costume
He
is dressed in a suit, which suggests that he is travelling for business.
Hair/makeupHis hair is combed backwards. This suggests that he has purpose and is on a mission.
Expression
He
is tired and bored and this is shown as he lights a cigarette towards the end
of watching the video on the video player (as well as to hide the smoke made
when the video tape destroys itself.) The fact that he
lights a cigarette to hide the smoke from the self-destroying video player does
not suggest that he is being verisimilitude.
Setting
The
opening scene is set on a commercial airplane, in the first class section of
the airplane. This suggests that Jim Phelps is on important business. The fact
that this scene is set in an airplane suggests that this scene is building
towards a climax, as something is going to happen when the scene changes away
from the cabin of the airplane.
Props
Several
props are used including a cassette player and a video player for the cassette
player. These props are important in this scene as the video player explains a
key part of the plot. 
