A comparison of two opening sequences: LEGALLY BLONDE AND SE7EN

NARRATIVE EXPECTATIONS
LEGALLY BLONDE
> The film starts observing the back of a blonde woman brushing her hair in slow motion. All other aspects of her which are shown (cosmetics etc) are also in slow motion, forcing us to also slow down and take it in.
> The camera also follows (in slow motion) a girl riding her bicycle, in which she carries a letter addressed to "Elle". As the letter is passed around, the camera shot slows down, suggesting to us that "Elle" was the blonde woman at the start of the film and that she is the main character.
> The music is lively and bubbly with lyrics and the pace is fast and punchy, suggesting a fun, easy going romantic comedy
> The titles are pink, sparkly and in a girly font, suggesting the film and main character are also very girly
> All aspects of American sorority and life are shown to us (campus, lively/ bubbly young women) and we also assume that the film will feature heavily on these bubbly and lively young women.
> Lots of designer's names are shown e.g. Prada, Tiffany's, connoting that this will be a girly film.
> We expect a typical high school/ college type film (e.g. Mean Girls).
> End of the opening sequence sees Elle metion her boyfriend. He will play a pivotal role in the film.

SE7EN
> Film starts off observing one man going about his daily routine. There is no music and the shots are all rather plain and dark, suggesting a more serious type of film
> Camera still follows man, telling us that he will play the pivotal role in the film
> Sometimes, Freeman (the main character) is in focus, whilst things in the background are out of focus. This tells us that Freeman is a sturdy, reliable character who is very much in control of his surroudings.
> Freeman and Pitt at are odds with each other- this suggests to the audience that they will be at odds with each other throughout the entirety of the film
> The titles begin after the clip of Freeman conducting his everyday life. The titles and music are slightly twisted and menacing, observing an unseen person cutting out clips and arranging things. This suggests that the film is also slightly twisted because of the unseen person.
> The titles coming after the clip of Freeman conducting his everyday life suggest to us that his life was normal and boring before the unseen person went into his life.

Comparison:
> Legally Blonde starting off with upbeat, bright and sparkly things suggests to us that the rest of the film will also be upbeat and fun, ultimately leading to a happy ending. Se7en starts off dark and with the titles starting after Freeman conducts his everyday business suggests that this will be a complex film (obviously a thriller) that may not neccessarily have a happy ending.

SHOT TYPES
LEGALLY BLONDE
> ECU of girl brushing her hair: we want to focus on her, this suggests this girl is the main character
> Moving shot following girl on bicycle- she holds some importance if we are following her
> ELS of campus and house: sense of place and so that we are aware of our surroundings
> MS of girls around campus: so that we can see their expressions
> Moving HA following letter going up the stairs to Elle. Suggests that she is the most important one in the film

SE7EN
> LS/ MS of Freeman: so that we can easily observe his everyday life. It is not over the shoulder etc so that we get the sense of place as an observer
> ECU of Freeman putting on the tie: we get a connection with him
> HA/ pan of dead body: as if we are viewing the scene from Freeman's point of view
> LA/ moving shot following Freeman and Pitt: they dominate as we have to look up to them. They are important/ powerful people
> LS of Freeman in an empty bedroom: suggests he is lonely
> Steady zoom into Freeman: slow/ relaxed as he prepares for sleep
> ECU (slightly out of focus) of pages being turned: we are not meant to see the whole story
> Things out of focus: mysterious/ strange (thriller)

Comparison
> The shot types in Legally Blonde are there to show us where we belong and what type of film it will turn out to be. The shot types in Se7en are similar to the ones in Legally Blonde, both in type and technique e.g. HA following letter going up the stairs to suggest Elle is the main character and a LA to show us that Freeman and Pitt play important, domineering roles in the film.

CHARACTER TYPES
LEGALLY BLONDE
> Colour scheme of pink/ sparkles suggests that this is a girly film with a girly main character
> Shots of brand and designers suggest that Elle is possibly superficial and shallow
> Her room displays her "perfect" lifestyle, with designer brands and things such as president of her sorority and "Homecoming Queen" sash

SE7EN
> Morgan Freeman is single (always portrayed in empty rooms). He is a detective (?) who seems to be strong willed and smart. He is a no-nonsense type of guy, living and dressing in a rather plain fashion.
> Brad Pitt is at odds with Freeman, but also seems smart.

Comparison:
> Both Reese Witherspoon and Morgan Freeman seem to play rather one- dimensional characters (Witherspoon portrayed as a shallow girly girl and Freeman as a single man who leads a rather boring life). However, we assume that Witherspoon's character will later be uncovered as rather deep and meaningful as a twist to the light hearted rom-com whilst we assume Freeman will turn out to be a more complex character, with him nearly always cast in shadow, suggesting he has things to hide.