Title Sequence Analysis

Bridget Jones Diary - Title Sequence Analysis.

 I have chosen to analyse the title sequence from Bridget Jones diary, because it fits in with our film idea, as we have chosen to have a strong female lead. I also chose to break down this title sequence as it is different to others due to its subtle title sequence fitting in with the film and the non changing background and character. Bridget is a strong female lead as she has to deal with a lot of different things throughout the three films, and they are all centred around her life. In my  opinion Bridget is strong because she makes the decision to alter her life to make herself better and attempt not to be a spinster for life.

 

The title sequence opens with the song 'All By Myself' which is a classic song for this series of films, as it is used through all three films. The long shot allows the audience to see Bridget's living room, as it is a mess it implies that she doesn't clear up after herself very much. Bridget is positioned to the right of the screen, allowing room for the actor names to appear on the left of the screen. The names fade onto the screen and fade of after a few seconds. The use of the hand written style font gives the impression that they have been hand written onto the screen.

The screen then cuts to a medium shot allowing the audience to see Bridget more clearly. During the shot another actor name appears again on the left of the frame with Bridget placed on the right of the screen, however she is slightly more centeral in this shot. The use of key lighting and fill lighting gives the dull light room illusion, allowing key points to be shown more clearly than others.

A fade is used to bring the camera back to a long shot, to show Bridget getting up of the sofa. The diegetic music 'All By Myself' is still continuing, however it fades slightly into the background, becoming softer as the piano piece plays. The viewer is encouraged to feel sympathy towards Bridget and sympathise with her.

Bridget is placed centre frame as she checks the phone to see if she has any messages. This fits in with the music as the answer machine says 'you have no messages' indicating that she is all by herself. The long shot allows the audience to get a closer look at Bridget and the apartment behind it. Using the same font another actor name fades onto and off the screen. Bridget then walks of the screen to the right allowing a fade to be used as she comes back on screen, on the couch.

Another fade is used to move the scene on, as Bridget sits back down on the sofa, and picks up her glass of wine, she starts to get into the music, signifying the fact that it is diegetic music. Continuing to use a long shot the audience still has an insight into her apartment. The fact that she is once again placed left of the screen, could imply that she doesn't give herself much credit.

The camera then moves to a more frontal angle with Bridget placed centre screen. A mid-shot allows the audience to see her more clearly than before. Diegetic music is still continuing throughout the shot and Bridget is miming along.

As Bridget is miming along to the names of produces appear on the screen using fading and fade of the screen again. The titles continue to use the same font throughout for names, however the role they have e.g. Music Supervisor & Line Producer, use a more professional font. The same mix of key and fill lighting continues to be used.

Bridget continues to mime along to the song, which is the key theme of the sequence. From the close up it is clear that she is miserable and unhappy, with her life at the minuet, which reflects with the song.

The shot moves back to a long shot as the song hits its strong point, in which Bridget hit's her stride in miming and dancing along. It is clear she has cheered up a bit since the sequence began, however it is still evident that she isn't completely happy.

The sequence ends with the title of the film fading onto the screen. From Bridget's positioning to the left of the screen and the title appearing on the left, it looks as though she is pointing directly at the title.