Analysing film opening conventions Nanny McPhee

1. Analysing film opening
conventions - Nanny Mchpee.
By Harriet Bibby – Media.

2. Intro-
 The film ‘Nanny Mcphee’ is a
children’s comedy. In the film, Mr.
Credic Brown has just lost his wife
and is then left with his seven
children who misbehave so much
that all their nannies have run
away. He is then told by a
mysterious voice that he should
employ ‘Nanny Mcphee’ who is a
magical woman with special
powers. She guides the children
through their issues with their
fathers new marriage and helps
them put the situation right.

3. http://vimeo.com/18968321

4. Titling.
 The titling used within these opening credits
create a childish tone to suit the remainder of
the film. The titling itself is mismatched and
typically magic-like which would interest the
target audience.
 Also the high key lighting creates a happy,
childish sense.

5. Mise – en – scene.
 Within this area I will identify what techniques are
being used on the screen and what meaning they
have to the audience and the film.

6. Costumes.

7. The 17th Nanny.
 This nanny has a stereotypical
carer’s/nanny’s uniform.
 This connotes to the audience
that she often abides by the
rules and also understands the
importance of her job and the
formality it entails.
 The fact that she is wearing
white also suggests that she is
an innocent, pure character.

8. Actors.

9. The 17th Nanny.
 Although this shot is
extremely short, the
characterisation of ‘the
runaway nanny’ is very strong
and connotes the anger, fear
and distress of the character.
 We can see this due to the
pace of which she exits the
house, the frantic waving of
her hands and also the
screaming of the character
and the facial expressions
that go with that.

10. Who else?
 The fact that we don’t see
any other character within
this opening creates
enigma for the audience.
We, as the viewers, want to
know the faces of these
“very naughty” children,
who is narrating at the
beginning of the film and
also why there is an empty
chair and whose this chair
was/is!

11. Make up.

12. The 17th Nanny.
 Because this character
frantically runs away rather
quickly, it is difficult to
distinguish what make up has
been added to the actress.
 However, we can see that her
hair is rather messy. This
connotes that she is very
stressed, overworked and fed
up!
 She also appears to be rather
sweaty, this also suggests that
she is worn out and frazzled.

13. Props.

14. The empty chair.
 The first thing that we see within
this opening is this empty chair.
This is the main prop within the
beginning of the film and creates
enigma for the audience as to
who has previously owned the
chair and why it is empty.
 The choice of colour for the chair
also relates to the target
audience as they have used a
bright pink (which is directly in
front of the green wall) which
would appeal to younger
viewers.

15. Setting.

16. The setting in the establishing shot.
 The setting within the establishing
shot is rather grand and green.
 Again, the high key lighting and
brightly coloured shot sets the tone
for the genre of the children’s
comedy and also appeals to the
target audience.
 The large house also connotes to the
audience that the family that live
within are rather wealthy and that
the children that the narrator refers
to may be spoilt.
 We also have evidence that the
characters within are well off as they
have been able to afford 17 nannies!

17. Editing, lighting, camera movements
and sound.
 These techniques are key within a film opening. All of
these elements put together set the tone for the film
and create the genre that it fits into.

18. Editing.

19. Editing.
 To open the beginning scene, they have used a fading
technique. This informs the audience that the story is
about to begin and also slowly reveals the setting of the
film and what it could entail.
 After this short scene, the transition quickly cuts to next
scene of the establishing shot. This, along with the
narration within the first scene, creates a rush throughout,
as if the story is desperate to be told.
 After this quick cut of the transition, there is then a slow
zoom (using a dolly shot) into the house. This creates
juxtaposition between the rushed change of scene and the
slow paced introduction of the house.

20. Lighting.

21. Lighting within the first scene.
 The majority of the room is set with a neutral lighting. This suggests to the
audience that the characters may lead a reasonably normal life.
 However, the fact that there is a dark shadow being cast through the room
creates a sense that something is wrong within the lives of the characters,
or may perhaps be a foreshadowing of events to come.
 The fact that there is a light fire within the room also connotes a cold tone
within this scene. Also the fact that the fire is surrounded by a dark, grey fire
place may suggest that there is light within the darkness and that the
characters within the film will get the happy ending they desire.

22. Lighting within the establishing shot
and the ‘Nanny escaping’ scene.
 Within the establishing shot high key
lighting has been used. This suggests
that the film will be light hearted
and fun. However the fact that there
is shade casting over parts of the
house from the trees implies that at
times within the film the characters
may go through a few rough times
and unhappy moments.
 The lighting within the next shot is
reasonably neutral but darker
behind the character (as she is
wearing white.). This shows that she
is purer and more innocent that
what is going on within the house,
adding to the comical genre of the
film as we know that they’re just
children.

23. Camera movements.

24. Camera movements.

25. Sound.

26. Sound.
(Diagetic) Narration.
 The narration used within this
opening informs us about the
basic foundations to the story that
is going to be told.
 This is cleverly used as it also
breaks the fourth wall to the
audience as the narrator is
speaking directly to the viewers.
 This technique could also appeal
to the target audience as Collin
Firth is rather softly spoken and
easy to listen to.
 The words chosen are also easy to
comprehend, making it more
enjoyable for younger viewers to
watch.
(Non-diagetic) Music.
 The non-diagetic music that has
been chosen for this opening
would drastically appeal to the
target audience as it is catchy,
tuneful and light hearted.
 This music also suits the genre of
the film as it is very bouncy and
reasonably unpredictable, much
like a lot of the characters within
the film.
 It also has a certain edge to it
which may reflect the magical
elements within the movie.

27. Film opening conventions that have
been challenged!
 Introduction to key characters- Surprisingly, the 17th
nanny is not a main character within the rest of the
film. Although we hear the narrator, and learn a small
amount about his children (who are in fact all key
characters) we aren’t officially introduced. This is an
odd decision to make within a film opening but does
however, create more enigma because of this.

28. Why I like/dislike this film opening.
 I like this opening because it gets straight into the film
and explains the storyline well. This makes it easy to
comprehend and shows that it always has its target
audience in mind.
 I also like the music that has been used as it is
cheerful and makes the viewers feel good.
 However, an improvement could be made within the
character introductions as we don’t immediately get
to know them.

29. Thank you for watching!