I chose My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) to analyse as I have been thinking about creating a romantic-comedy.
A hot pink background with yellow cursive lettering (as if on wedding invitations) starts the title sequence. This immediately alerts the audience to the fact that it is a rom-com, using the stereotypical “girly” colours. The yellow font also serves to create a harmonious feel to the title sequence. The opening bass notes to Wishing and Hoping convey that this is a movie that follows all the cliches of the genre.
Next, the camera tilts down to show 3 bridesmaids and a bride. This is a common trope of the rom-com, as it tells the audience there will be a happy ending with a big white wedding within the movie. The bride is the one singing which puts all the attention on her, as the blushing, modest bride.
Throughout the title sequence, the 4 women show classic rom-com allusions taking the form of visual codes, such as a fainting bride, catching the bouquet, and admiring the ring. The dancers start with simple choreography, which shows how cliche the movie will be. Stereotypical camera shots like zoom outs and pan shots are used to show the sweetness of the film.
The editing of the sequence is soft, with cuts usually, that don't jolt from scene to scene, to create a linear viewing. The credits throughout are almost not noticeable due to the focus on the dancers.
The sound used is non-diegetic, through the use of a pre-recorded orchestra and singers that the dancers mime to. This is reminiscent of all classic movie musicals, leading the audience to believe in the setting of the genre.
However, the title sequence cannot show us an accurate mise-en scene as there is a different cast for the title than the main feature film. there is no setting up of characters or situations as a consequence. This perhaps is the one fault with this title sequence.
Overall, I think I would also utilise the cliches as it does really set up for the genre I want to use.
The editing of the sequence is soft, with cuts usually, that don't jolt from scene to scene, to create a linear viewing. The credits throughout are almost not noticeable due to the focus on the dancers.
The sound used is non-diegetic, through the use of a pre-recorded orchestra and singers that the dancers mime to. This is reminiscent of all classic movie musicals, leading the audience to believe in the setting of the genre.
However, the title sequence cannot show us an accurate mise-en scene as there is a different cast for the title than the main feature film. there is no setting up of characters or situations as a consequence. This perhaps is the one fault with this title sequence.
Overall, I think I would also utilise the cliches as it does really set up for the genre I want to use.
