HW 2a - Existing Opening Sequence analysis (DYM)

1. Identify the film and its genre 

Legally Blonde - Teen Drama/Romantic Comedy

2. Identify where the story takes place and the time scale.

The story takes place at a sorority club in college set in America.

3. Summarise what happens in the sequence in chronological order. How significant to the story telling is the order of events.

In the sequence, some sort of letter/card is being transported through the campus to a girl called Elle Woods, it is assumed that she is the main character. As the letter progresses through the area we get to see more and more important characters for example the supporting cast. As this is happening we get to see Elle's morning routine and how everything is going to plan almost like the calm before the storm because at this point everything is going a bit too well. She then receives the letter and the audience get a hint of whats to come later since she reads the letter out loud.

4. Do events link to each other or are they distinct, unconnected events?

The events do link together as its all a continuos narrative flow of a letter being sent to its owner by hand

5. which characters are introduced and what are their roles in the film? how do we find this information out.

The main character is shown throughout the opening sequence however we do not see her face until the very last 25 seconds, this creates a feeling of suspense for the audience as they are anticipating this from the moment the film starts. Also, three characters got more screen time than the rest of the people shown which can only suggest that they are the supporting cast or somehow related to this Elle Woods Character. Finally the love interest is shown at the end of the sequence through a picture where the main character glances towards it very lovingly, also the dialogue at the end further proves that the man is significant to the plot line.

6. How much story information is revealed and how is it revealed to the audience? what is deliberately withheld?

Not a lot of information is revealed to the audience, all that is received is a lot of establishing shots to set the scene of the campus and one main sorority. We do hear a bit of whats to come through the reading of the letter but we aren't given a lot of detail which helps keep the audience on their toes

7. What do you think the audience needs to know at the start of your film? explain your answer.

The opening sequence should allow the audience to get a feel of the film. This should directly correlate to its genre, it can be done through music choice which will hopefully set the tone of the film. for example a horror film should have very low music that isn't upbeat like pop music. The opening sequence should have shots of the setting so the audience can fully understand where it is set so they know the protocol the characters should "follow". Also it should introduce the audience directly or indirectly to the main character.