Opening Sequence. Analysing the opening sequence from the film 13 Going On 30, by using the DVD.

At the beginning of the film the titles were on a Cloud printed background, the film transitions from the Opening Titles background in to the background, which the character is sitting in front of. This creates an intriguing effect that is dream like, will keep the audience interested. The camera angle starts off as a close up shot of the character, this helps the audience identify themselves with the character that is on screen first who is dressed as a young school girl who looks as if she is unsatisfied with what she is doing, the Gratification Theory shows that this scene can be an element of information for the audience as it gives an idea of whether she has a happy demeanour to start off with or her age and where she is, shortly after the close up there is a transition of a pan out camera shot, this helps show the characters appearance more and clearer. The character is getting her school photo done and the photographer is constantly naming her Gina instead of Jenna which is beginning to irritate the character who we now know is called Jenna. This is a subtle way of introducing the character by their name; we also know that she is a student because of the school photo. We can also assume that the young girl is 13 Years Old due to the title of the film itself, giving that the character is the main character, however this isnt guaranteed although it may be a rough idea given by the audience.

The setting of the scene can relate to the audience as the certification for this film is rated at a 12, therefore the children that are allowed to watch the film would most probably are familiar with having school photos taken and the feeling they have towards it may become similar. The camera soon panned out further back which created more of a wide shot which helps show the scene in which it is set in; in more detail. The main focus in this scene is on the young girl and the photographer, the fact that the young girl is getting frustrated it keeps the audience entertained which more a comedic element. Shortly after the this shot the photographer is beginning to wind up Jenna even more by telling her how to pose whilst calling her Gina, the photograph is taken as Jenna was getting frustrated, the photograph turned out to be Jenna in mid speech telling the photographer her name is Jenna all the while getting progressively more aggravated. The mise-en-scene within this film holds connotations of a stereotypical schoolgirl; it uses symbolism to emphasis upon this by setting the scene in a school. In the background there are quite sounds of the other school children talking, this helps to portray the fact that the figures are children and the fact that there is a lot of talking in the background can relate to the feeling Jenna has towards the location. It is clear to see that Jenna is not satisfied and doesnt particularly want to have her school photograph taken, the fact that there are clearly a lot of school children behind her talking helps represent that they may be able to see Jenna which can then make her feel insecure, nervous or shy.

The audience will be able to relate to Jenna, who is being portrayed as the protagonist, as the audience have most likely experienced the situation that she is in. This shot is a low angle close up shot, this helps the audience analyse Jennas facial expressions and her overall demeanour in more depth as she receives her school photograph, due to the photograph being taken when Jenna wasnt ready she is shocked to find that her photograph wasnt as she expected. The camera angles portray her emotion well which is that she is unhappy and shocked about the way her photograph turned out, I feel that a low angle shot encourage the audience to focus upon her face, it also shows that Jenna is holding the photographs in her hands as she is looking down. This shot is interesting as it shows more than one figure in the shot however there is one figure, which the audience are more focused upon; this is the figure on the far right. This is because the character is more in the foreground in comparison to the two other characters; the camera angle is at an eyelevel with the viewers, which gives the audience a good view of the character and shows the characters appearance clearer. The importance of this is that not long after this shot the audience get an understanding of the relation between this character and the protagonist, therefore this scene is the characters first initial introduction of himself, which shows the audience that he is induced within the object that he is holding.

This shot is interesting as the characters goes to take a photo of him and Jenna to document her 13th Birthday, which is mentioned in the clip previously. The audience now have the information that Jenna is the main character and that it is in fact her 13th birthday therefore the change over from 13 Going on 30 must happen to Jenna. This clip is interesting as the camera in the shot is facing the audience almost as if though the photo is being taken of them, this draws the audiences attention to be focused upon the narrative, it allows the audience to identify themselves with the narrative and is a factor from the Uses and Gratification Theory, which is that it gives the audience information and identification of the two characters on screen. The camera then transitions on to the two characters once the photograph has been taken. The camera shot is a mid shot and a two shot; this focuses the audiences attention on the two figures in the scene. Overall I feel as though the opening sequence gives a lot of information about the main character, which intrigues the audience to carry on watching the film. The characters are presented well and have a factor of identification with the audience, the location is portrayed in a sense where it can relate to the audience well, due to the age and experiences they have most likely had in similarity to the film.

I feel as though the genre is presented in the way that is intriguing for the audience, as so far there are elements of comedy such as the photograph that was taken can be seen as quite comical, however there hasnt been a clear representation of romance just yet, apart from the close relation of the two figures in the last scene of the opening sequence, therefore this will encourage the audience to carry on watching for them to find out the element of romance that will occur within this film.