The opening scene of 'Home Alone' establishes the family and setting. Tracking shots introduce the characters as they rush around the house. The music sets a Christmas mood but hints that something may go wrong. The family is shown arguing and rushing to leave through a variety of shots that introduce the main characters of Kevin, his mother, and his father.

1. ‘Home Alone’
By Hayley Jacklin

2. conventions
-The opening scene sets the story of what’s
going to happen.
- Music reflects the mood of the story, and the
fact that it’s Christmas time.
- The scene is set with an establishing shot of
the families home where we imagine the story
will be set at.

3. Camera:
There are a variety of shots used to introduce
the characters and the setting.
- tracking is used to show them walking
around the room and the house.
- close ups are used to establish the character.
- mid shots are used while the particular
character is talking.
Editing:
- There are no noticeable cuts or transitions in
the opening scene, other than invisible cuts.

4. Sound:
Diagetic:
- Doors slamming
- Shouting
- Mumbling and bickering between the family.
Non Diagetic:
- Music, was very Christmassy and maybe a little
bit mysterious which tells us something will go
wrong soon. However the music was still lively
and set the mood for the film.

5. Mise-en-scene.
Costume:
- Natural clothing to show family and home life.
The mother was wearing a long coat which makes
her look older and more of a motherly figure.
Lighting:
- High key lighting and natural to show it as
everyday lighting. Maybe also to show that the
family is high class and rich. However outside is
low key as it’s night time, with Christmas lights
around the house to show us the time of year it
is.

6. Actors:
- The actors are well spoken.
- The only really three actors we know who they are
straight away is the mother, father and their son they
call Kevin. This straight away makes us think that
maybe they are the only main characters of the story?
And that Kevin being the only child of many being
introduced gives us the impression that he’s the
protagonist.
Make-up:
- The make up was all natural and not noticeable. Only on
the older women in the house which makes them look
like they’re older and shows their class.