Narrative Expectations
- The film starts by showing the main characters bright blond hair out of focus and she is seen getting ready for something, brushing her hair and doing her make-up.
- We can see her pink clothing and we see her dog all dressed up which shows a first impression of this character being very materialistic.
- Also, at the beginning, a card with the name 'Elle' is seen being passed around which shows us the main characters name straight away and also builts up to showing us this character.
- The setting all around is of college life and we see lots of teenagers being loud and socialising and enjoying campus life which is the typical dream life.
- As this all seems too nice and everything seems to be in place, I think something bad will happen to ruin this perfect image, possibly something to do with her boyfriend as she seems to be besotted with him- kissing his photo.
- Also, the beginning of the film seems to upbeat with the music which makes it seem as if it will all come crashing down.
Shot Types
- A lot of CU's and ECU's to show parts of the main character-Elle and to make the person watching guess what she looks like before they even see her face.
- CU's with pans over her personal belongings such as hair care, make up and perfumes to add to the whole view of her being materialistic and vain.
- There is tracking following the journey of the card going to Elle which builds up the actual meeting with this character and we go on a journey as an audience just to view her, showing her importance.
- There is an overhead crane shot showing the sparkling staircase adding to the wealth and perfect lifestyles of these characters in college.
Character Types
- The main character Elle seems perfect as she does not have one hair out of place and we see that she was prom queen and is clearly very popular. However, she seems at first glance like a dizzy blond and that her life seems too good to be true.
- All the other girls in the sorority seem very similar to Elle as they are very pretty, blond and seem to care very much about appearance as they are seen getting ready to go out.
- The boys at the college seem to be all after the girls as they seem to be wild and go crazy at the sight of a girl.
- All the characters seem to be alike and are very content with what is going on around them.
Se7en
Narrative Expectations
- The film at the beginning has no music and has a very serious mood straight away because of this and the minimal lighting which adds to the dark plot.
- Morgan Freeman's character seems very neat with his crisp clothing and white kitchen which seems immaculate. All his belongings are set out precisely and in place.
- The setting of the crime scene shows how this film is based on an investigation and presents the genre thriller with the use of dark colours and dark backgrounds.
- There is rain and thunder which shows this investigation is not going to run smoothly.
- Main characters do not seem to get along with a big contrast with old vs. young with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.
- However, I think the two characters will have to work together that the whole thing will take place in 7 days as the film is called 'Se7en' and the main character says how he will be retiring in seven days.
Shot Types
- ECU's of his personal belongings, all lined up neatly.
- LS's of the two characters and tracking as they walk along the busy new york pavements. This gives a feel that we are following the two characters and listening in to their conversations- like we are investigating them.
- Camera seems hidden when Morgan Freeman is at home- invading his privacy.
- CU's of writing and titles linking into the whole detective work and crime within the film.
Character Types
- Morgan Freeman's character is very quiet and keeps himself to himself and seems to be very high up in the detective world however, he seems to have a lot of criticism from colleagues about questions that he asks and sees to make enemies.
- He also seems to be quite an angry person and appears to have a chip on his shoulder. He comes across as rude and very self-assured.
- Brad Pitt's character is the opposite as he seems very energetic and fresh faced as if he is willing to learn. He also seems to be new to the city as he is seen bumping into people as he is walking down the street.
Comparisons between the two:
- Both opening sequences are based around the main characters.
- They also both use a variety of different shot types.
- We can see with Legally Blonde and Se7en the setting and area that the film is in i.e college campus and busy city.
- They both allow us as an audience to guess what we think will happen.
- We can see with these opening sequences the relationship between characters and also their personalities.
- They make us want to carry on watching to find out what will happen as they do not give away too much.
- The two sequences both introduce the film and act as a build up to events.
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