Task 2.1 - Mean Girls - Opening Scene Analysis - Rom Com

Mean Girls is a romantic comedy and a well loved teen drama. We learn the main characters name straight away - Cady Heron - through a initial voice over. Opening starts with the Paramount Pictures logo,then going into the name of the film.

Cady is very covered up suggesting that she is self-conscious and naive. Her normal clothes, tied up hair and very little make-up say that doesn't want to stand out,she wants to blend in. initially showing a culture shock - revealing outfits,kids being wild; telling the audience she is new to all this.There is a flashback to show what Cady's life used to be and how she lived it.

The scene starts of with a point-of-view shot through Cady's eye's where she is looking up at her parents like a little girl,showing the possibility shes still treated as a young girl and also showing the fact that she is very naive.

Her parents patron her about her 'first day at school' even though she is a not a little child. Her mid shot of a cheesy smile towards her mum and dad displays to the audience she is the apple of their eye and a low angle emphasises her weak position. Before she enters the school building close-up's of Cady are used to portray her nervousness.

The editing used in the opening sequence is mainly straight cuts for continuity in the story line. However freeze frames with a flash sound are used to indicate a change in time. Freeze frames are photograph's from Cady's time in Africa showing what her life use to be like before this making the audience feel more connected to her as she is telling them personal information about her life. The framing also changes when these freeze frames are shown, again indicating the flashback. Slow motion used to show her anxiety and fear at walking into school.

This is the key to understanding the main characters background story and the flashback at the start. The use of diegetic sound starts in the form of Cady's voice over, forms a close relationship with the audience as they feel she is personally talking to them and including them in her life. Her friendly and casual way of speaking further enforces that she comfortable speaking about her life.The non-diegetic sound is the soundtrack that is playing in the background which has a element of unease, highlighting the moments black comedy in the film. The music changes when the scene goes to a flashback to a subtle African influenced instrumental music, highlighting the characters roots and life. When Cady is walking towards the school building a pop song plays in the background, possibly to imply how she feels and symbolise the era of time.