The opening sequence of Clueless establishes the protagonist and genre in 3 main ways: 1. A montage sequence using editing techniques like tracking shots introduces the main character Cher, a rich white American teenager, and shows her typical daily activities of shopping, driving her nice car, and spending time with friends to set up her lavish lifestyle. 2. The mise-en-scene features iconic elements like Cher's large closet, chandelier, and mansion that emphasize her family's wealth and status. It also depicts stereotypical teen activities to represent the coming-of-age genre. 3. Appropriate pop songs play during scenes of Cher's life to help tell her story and link to

1. Opening Sequence Analysis

3. A typical convention of an opening sequence is to start by advertising the
production company with a logo, which Clueless does. This logo establishes a
major Hollywood studio which suggests that the film will have a very high
production value and budget.

4. Editing
A montage sequence is used within the Clueless opening sequence. This
montage editing technique clearly establishes the films genre and the main
protagonist. The montage represents a teenage girl partaking in typical
teenage activities. This sequence is good as it shows the viewer a lot about the
characters lifestyle successfully, from this particular montage the viewer will
learn that the main protagonist is a rich, white American girl. The title of the
film ‘Clueless’ is edited in and appears at the beginning of the opening
sequence, however the actors, directors, producers (ect..) names do not appear
are not included which is unlike most opening
sequences. The montage sequence introduces the
enigma of Cher’s way too glamourous routine and
the editing of the opening sequence represents
that it is a mainstream film.

5. Camerawork
The opening sequence of Clueless is very good at establishing the protagonist of
the film, which is one of the main generic conventions of opening sequences. It
does this well through the use of camerawork and other conventions. Within
the opening sequence there are many shots to establish the fabulous lifestyle of
the protagonist. For example a birds eye shot is used within the montage
sequence to present Cher, (The main girl character) driving her fancy car. This
successfully establishes the narrative of the film also.
Mid shots of her having fun with her many friends are used which present her
popular character.
An over the shoulder shot can be seen when she is
looking in the mirror connoting her vain personality,
furthermore there are tracking shots of her out shopping
which present her glamourous and carefree life.

6. Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene and particularly iconography to show the theme/genre of the
film is another generic convention of film opening sequences. The computer
generated closet Cher owns presents her rich American teenager persona and
shows she is well-off.
The huge chandelier shown within this opening sequence connotes the family’s
wealth and their upper class status within society. The family’s huge home
showed within the opening sequence also presents how rich they are, showing
they are not a typical American family, which sets the tone for the rest of the
film as one of the main themes of the film is wealth.
Mise-en-scene is used to strongly present the
coming of age genre of the film. The genre is
represented through stereotypical teen activities such
as shopping, swimming and getting ready for school.

7. Sound
A suitable non-digetic music track is used during the opening sequence of
Clueless. “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde plays while flashes of Cher’s fabulous
American daily life are shown which is very appropriate and links well to the
storyline.
After the montage sequence is over a non-digetic voiceover by the main
protagonist starts, in which she talks about herself and her preppy life. This
element of the opening sequence also effectively establishes the central
character’s behaviour.
As the narrative begins, “Fashion” by David Bowie begins to play, which links
well to what is
happening; Cher is picking
out what clothes to wear for
the day.

8. Backstory
A generic convention of many opening sequences is to include a backstory
which gives the audience some information as to what has happened in the
past for them to understand the rest of the film. However this convention is not
used within the Clueless opening sequence and the main story just begins
normally. On the other hand exciting moments of the main protagonists life are
shown to present her crazy and rich way of life.

9. This logo is bright and colourful. Coming of age films usually have a light-
hearted theme so this represents the film and its genre successfully.