analysis of the opening sequence of spiderwick chronicles

1. The (Waters,
Spiderwick 2008,
Chronicles
US)

3. Music
• The spiderwick chronicles starts off with low string and a flute that
suddenly makes an appearance which suggests that there is something
that is going to come out very quickly. As the opening sequence carries on
the music adjusts to a higher pace which makes the viewer engage with
the film as it creates a sense of anticipation. Throughout the opening
sequence their are quick strings of a high pitch that come at random
intervals during the opening sequence suggesting that there is something
that is unusual in the film, in this case it would be magic.

4. Cinematography
• Cinematography is used to give hints at what is going to be shown in the
film. This is proven by the use of an extreme close up on a drawing of a
mythical creature and then in the next shot the word ogre is shown whilst
it is being written. This tells the audience that what they are about to see
is something to do with fairytales and mythical creatures. The extreme
close up of the drawing shows the amount of detail that has been put into
it showing that it was influenced by either their imagination or they
actually saw the creature.

5. Editing
• Their is a variety of editing styles within this opening
sequence. One of which is a jump cut when the man is
flicking through the book so the audience feels as if he is
in a rush and doesn't have the time to be on each page for
a long time. Another editing technique used is a cross
dissolve on the building to show the passage of time and
how the building changes in appearance over the 80 year
time lapse.

6. Mise-en-Scene
• Within one of the shots the one of the elements is
given away by a sprite that is enlarged by a
magnifying glass. This shows that myth is an
element within the film which is being brought to
life, so this could also influence the audience into
thinking that there are other mythical creatures
within the film. It could also mean that there is an
element of magic in the film which is backed up by
the use of the non-diegetic shimmering sound it
shows that their is a ‘magic behind the myth’.