10 Things I Hate About You opening sequence analysis

The first screen shot introduces the institution of the film through the large blue text at the centre down the bottom of the shot. The large size of the text suggests the importance of the institution and the contribution they had to the film. This text appears from the right of the screen from a blue thick line which then appears as a blue circle left of the text and it is stationary once centre of the screen. It then lights up gold creating the text to stand out to the audience even more, presenting its importance once again.

The same production company is presented once again however in the same typography of the cast and crew which will soon follow. This ties the film in with the institution to present that they were the main production of the film.This time the text is right in the centre of the screen, standing out in a bright green colour. This text is animated and moving around fast as if it is sketched into the shot, creating a fun and upbeat feeling.

The second and third production companies are presenting next in the same large typography in the same cartoon style. However, this time the text is blue rather than green and considering there are two production companies presented at once it suggests that it holds less importance. This text is also as if it has been sketched into the shot and then fades out, as it as animated also, connoting childish behaviour as presented in the film.

The setting is established in as if sketched, linking in with the typography before and to follow. This high angle shot of the city sets the scene and gives the audience an animated feeling to the area as it seems cartoon. This will appeal to the audience as animated films are usually easy to watch and a teenage audience will therefore use this as escapism.

The sketching affect then transitions into the real setting shot without shading over it as the reality of the film is presented due to the connotations of youth and art being presented. It becomes obvious that the film is set in a city due to the skyscrapers in the shot. The setting created an enigma as members of the audience are likely to live in a city and therefore will relate to the setting, wanting to carry on watching.

The camera pans as '10 Things I Hate About You' appears on the screen in the same sketch affect. The typography is over the landscape so the setting can still be identified by the audience. The green colour of the typography is unisex and therefore attracts a mass audience of both female and male. The colour green also connotes envy and hate, just as 'hate' is in upper case letters in the title, it is creating this to stand out as it is a main theme of the film. The text is placed in the centre of the screen in very large text as it is made to stand out to the audience due to it being the title of the film. The typography is animated and fades out.

The camera carries on panning as the setting is still being established, with an ocean now presented in the background, therefore we know it is not set in a city such as London. The first cast member appears on screen in an orange font, still consistent from the previous text as if they are sketched on and animated, eventually fading out. This is also placed centre of the shot, however not as large as the title of the film as it does not hold as much importance.

The sketch typography used appeals to the chick-flick genre due to the majority of the audience being teenagers, as the style mirrors graffiti which is widely associated with teenagers. The yellow colour used also represents youth due to the colour being fun and having more character than a colour such as black.

The camera is still panning as more cast members appear in the same ways as the other typography. The use of the colour blue in this text brings the ocean in the background to stand out more, giving a more relaxed feeling due to blue connoting tranquillity. The colour blue is stereotypically liked by boys and therefore does not tie in with the chick-flick era, however this film is aimed at both genders.

Four people are in this shot going about everyday life as the camera carries on panning, establishing more of the setting. The audience can now view houses and cars, as the things in shot are closer than before, however still at a high angle shot. The yellow colour used connotes the sun and brightness as reflecting in the clear blue sky in the background. A blue car is driving into shot at this point as the camera pans which suggests they will hold more importance in the opening sequence rather than being cut out of the shot.

A mid-shot is next presenting a car full of four teenage girls playing their upbeat pop music (One Week) and smiling. This soundtrack is carried on from the previous sound. The teenage audience will be able to identify with these characters as friendships are presented (uses and gratification theory.)

The camera pans to the right to present the contrast in these two people introducing both of the main character in the red car to the audience. The colours red and blue contrast. Blue connoting tranquillity, while red connotes anger, reflecting on the angry main character. The backing shot introduces a plush environment, representing a youthful atmosphere.

The panning ends up on the red car in a mid-shot which creates the two cars to seem equal. By this the audience will infer that they are just normal people, not inferior or superior to each other due to the level shot. This creates a binary opposition as she looks different due to her dark clothing and facial expression.

Another mid-shot as four girls in the other car are seen more closely, instantly looking away from the girl in the red car. Their facial suggest that they are scared of her and she is different to the rest. The song 'Bad Reputation' continues playing to support this idea.

This close up of the main character with a moody and unhappy face presents her personality to the audience immediately. The music she is playing in her car reflects her personality presented through this shot. This then cuts to a high angle long shot of the cars at the cross roads pulling off. Representing stereotypes, connotations of teenagers decisions in life and creates a narrative of competition amongst a teenage audience.

The setting changes to a school where the majority of the film is set, making it easily relatable for the teenage audience (uses and gratification.) An understanding is given that this film is mostly about teenage stereotypes as the cliques of high school are presented.

A high shot of the school follows to establish another setting which is one of the main settings due to it being where all the relationships begin and where a lot of the film takes place. This shot presents the school as large and somewhat frightening. The shot also includes some of the many students in it to make it seem more realistic.

The final text is presented on screen in the same green colour that the title of the film was presented in, to finalise the cast and crew. The green colour connotes the hatred and jealousy throughout the film and is used more than once in the opening titles. This mid-shot captures two of the students who go to the school, one of them being the main character who is on her way to rip the poster off the wall, presenting rebellious behaviour.

Lastly is a close up introducing the first character by name as the first scene begins. The flowers on the desk and the 'Ms' on her plaque give the audience incite to the fact this character is female. We also identify that she is a guidance counsellor through it being stated on her plaque. The audience wonder who is talking to the guidance counsellor and what will happen with this using the enigma code. Finally, this shot appears as the music of 'bad reputation' fades out which suggests someone important is about to speak.

From analysing this film, I would use the continuous panning to establish the setting while the text of the cast and crew overlays due to it having a professional look. As our film is set at a school, this would also be a good idea as the setting of a school is very important in chick-flicks aimed at teenagers as they can identify with the setting and characters (use and gratification theory.)