Children's Film Task

Analysis of children’s film opening sequence- Shona Addison

Analysis of children’s film opening sequence

Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone

The opening scene to this film uses most conventions for an opening sequence. The media company which represent the film (Warner Brothers) is the first things that you see when the film begins, followed by the film menu, and in the background the picture of the main location throughout all the films.

The scene then dissolves into the first location for the film and does a pan view master shot to establish the spatial relationships between objects and to define the setting, and atmosphere. There is then a close-up in an object, and straightaway the audience is informed to what the genre will be- magical- because something magical happens from it. We then see a tracking shot of two characters talking and discussing the events happening and already mention the main characters name. There is then a low angle shot, looking up at a flying motorbike from which the main character is brought from, to show that he has a connection with the magical world, and it straightaway establishes the characters story, without giving away every single detail, making you want to find out more. The opening finishes with a zoom on the main characters most predominant feature, that which makes him unique, and will be the basis of the story- the lightening shaped scar. The main character is clearly identified; as his full name is said, and dramatic music enhances the importance of it.

All the while the soundtrack is playing dimly in the background, and whenever speech is not happening the music gets louder. There are no credits which run through the very beginning and are instead shown at the end, so not to take away focus from the scene, although it is conventional to put them in the beginning. The narrative is the dialogue and shot types which describe the setting. Since the film is a PG there is no narrator to explain everything, as the target audience should be able to understand it without commentary.

The colours in the scene are dark, representing night, but not scary to frighten children. Typical of this genre, we are introduced to a very friendly and caring looking character which is sure to be the parent figure of the film. Throughout the opening sequence it is clear which genre the film will be, and the general story behind the film, which will be developed over time. The PG rating is stuck to, and the film is surely one of the classic kids films now-a-days.

Shona Addison

Analysis of childrens film opening sequence

Wallace and Gromit - the curse of the ware-Rabbit

The opening sequence of the film is pictues of wallace and gromit as they are growing up, it starts from when they are young and ends at the present day, the pictures are shown within their house on a large wall. The theme tune is cheerful and up beat and is played in the background, suddenly the theme tune changes and you see a dark shadow outside of the window, it then jumps to outside in the village and you see a policeman walking up a dark road, all you hear is the policemans footsteps walking around. You then see another wall covered in pictures of people, one of the eyes of them are flashing and beeping. The next thing you whilst keeping the picture within the frame is a kettle boiling on the stove. It then skips to wallace and gromit getting ready by using all of the contraptions in their home, this gives you information about the characters personalities and their way of life. The two characters are then seen in their van going into the village.
You are then able to realise that they are going to the house of the person who's eyes where flashing and then a neighbour calls them 'anit-pesto' showing that their job is to look after the villages gardens and keep the fruit and vegetables safe. You find out the genre of the film as everything is made to be mysterious, for example the shadow by the window and the how the music and sounds withing the frame change.
You immediately find out that the location of the film is within their home and around the village that in effect you have a tour round. The pictures that we first see show the previous experiences that the characters have had together and clearly show that they are very close. You know that this film is annimated as it is clearly shown it is a dreamworks annimation film. This is clearly show due to the fact the logo is seen evern before the film starts and the typical wallace and gromit logo has been shown. The criminal of the film is also show within the opening sequence as it creates a link between the smaller creatures and the large creature that becomes the main promblem creating the trouble and mystery throughout the fim.

By Becca

Analysis of Children's Film Opening Sequence

WALL-E

Just from the opening sequence we already know that WALL-E is going to be a computer-animated science fiction film, because what we first see is stars, then we see the universe with all the planets, we know that the film is animated because the title credits come up and it says 'A Pixar Animation Studios Film' and we then know it is going to be an animation.  We also know that it is a Walt Disney film from the credits.  The sound track in the background is very cheerful and happy and quite upbeat.  The establishment of location is a deserted town, and our first actual sightings of WALL-E is from an aerial-view and all we can see is something moving and we can just hear him scuttering around.  The sound track stops for a while and then continues playing a bit, and then we we get a close-up view of WALL-E, the music plays louder.  In the opening sequence alot of children would already like WALL-E because he is quite a funny character.  We know that the film is a science-fiction one though because of where it is set.  Another sound track is used for part of the opening sequence, but this time it sounds more sad, and WALL-E looks sad when he see's posters of him around the deserted town saying about how he destroys all life.  But from the opening sequence conventions we know that the film is going to be about science-fiction and we also get a feel that maybe some action or adventure will be encountered too. 

By Holly

The script

For the Scene with dialogue (Sleepover scene) we have a plan to go through certain points
- What we found
- Whats in the object
- Whats are we going to do about it.

For the next scene we thought a bathroom scene with us getting ready would be effective, and we could cut between that and shots from the concert.

We also thought that using footage from the concert will look good, and be a good feature.

The Planning of 'Just Wanna Have Fun'

Part 1 risk assessment

Part 1 of Shot types

Overview of mind map

Part 2 of Shot types

Soundtracks- Mind map

Storyboard

Mind map close-up

Part 3- Shot types

Props - mind map

Part 2 - risk assessment

British Board of Film Classification

The British board of Film classification also known as the BBFC is a company that decides - using the societies views to determine what classification each film should be.
There are 9 main categories that help decide this. They are :
1. Discrimination
2. Drugs
3. Horror
4. Imiteble behaviour
5. Language
6. Nudity
7. Sex
8. Theme
9. Violence


each of these then relates to what classification they are apart of.
They could be any of the following:

     U stands for Universal. This means that it is suitable for ages 4 and over; this allows young children to watch the film also. No discrimination is present, unless specifically disapproving of it. The film must also be clear of drug usage, and if any appears there must be a moral behind it from Young Children to learn from. Scenes must also not be disturbing to young children or cause them anxiety, and the outcome must always be reassuring. In sequences with use bad behaviour there must not be a emphasis on reality. There may be some natural nudity as long as there is not sexual content. With regards to sexual content, there may only be references and slight kissing seen. Infrequent use of bad language and mild violence only. 

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch a film certified with PG. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents should consider whether the footage may upset younger or more sensitive children. PG stands for Parental Guidance. Offensive language or behaviour will not be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.  Discrimination by a character with which children can identify is unlikely to be accepted. References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message. Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor. Detail of dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy is not accepted. Also, no glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons. Mild bad language may be used only and Nudity but without sexual background. Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent and also the use of Mild sex references and innuendo only. Where more serious issues are featured nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour. Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context.

12A may only be viewed by children aged 12 and over, although an adult may accompany a child under 12 to see film with this certificate in a cinema.

15's may only be viewed by children ages 15 and over.

18's may only be viewed by adults.

R18's may only be viewed by adults and seen in licensed cinemas.


We are going to use the certification PG because we wanted to make an opening scene that represents a realistic film that children can relate to. Most films rated 'U' are animations, and we wanted to use real life actors instead of Models and Animations. PG will appeal to a child-based audience and still be interesting.