Shyanne Sanders

Mean Girls- Opening Titles

The title sequence opens with an introduction the film institution.

The typography is silver with a gold outline, two colours that connote riches and importance. This

makes the production company seem authoritative and highly respected. The typeface is swirly and

almost looks as though it has been written in fountain pen. This connotes that great effort has been

put into writing it and therefore they have put great effort into their films. This connotes to the

audience that their films will be highly entertaining (uses and gratification) and well thought out.

The place in which the typeface is positioned in this shot, at the very top of the mountain, connotes

power and also dreams coming true. This connotes that their films have happy endings in which the

protagonist's dreams come true.

The shot then fades to black and then the text appears. This connotes that there will be mystery and

suspicion in the narrative of the film, and therefore keeps the audience intrigued (enigma code).

The typeface of “paramount pictures” is capitalised and sans-serif, making it bold and in your face,

compared to the typeface of “presents” which is thin and white displaying a binary opposition and

connoting the conflict within the narrative of the film. This idea continues throughout the titles. This

makes the film institution name stand out and makes it memorable to the audience. The blue colour

of the typeface connotes wisdom and loyalty and indicates that the audience can trust this

production to provide a good, entertaining film. Where as, the white connotes freshness

emphasising that the narrative is original and will display current issues to the time in which it was

released and therefore be relatable for the audience (uses and gratification). Positioning these

typefaces so closely together connotes that in the narrative binary opposites will be forced together.

The colours of the typeface compared to the black background connotes peace in a dangerous place,

highlighting that even though the protagonist has to tackle major problems, in the end she can make

peace.

This shot then fades to black and a different typeface appears in the

exact position of the previous . This connotes that within the narrative everything that the

protagonist used to know is replaced with something that is completely new to her. The typography

is similar to one in the previous shot, however the colour code has changed. This connotes that

however much the protagonist wants stay true to herself, she will be forced to change herself and

her true colour will temporarily fade in the narrative. Yellow usually connotes joy and confidence

but the dullness of this typeface connotes that the protagonist may lack in both things throughout

the narrative. The pink colour is feminine and girly and placing these two texts together connotes

that it is the pretty girly characters who cause the protagonist to be unhappy. This is a typical

convention of films within this genre and a female, teenage audience will be able to identify with

the feeling of being put down by other female peers.

The position of the text then changes, placing it on the other side to

the previous text. This connotes that this is the character who will feel alienated within the

narrative. Keeping the same typography connotes that this character will end up the same as the

other characters featured in the narrative. This bright green colour is usually associated with males,

connoting that this character is not a stereotypical girly character and will contrast with the other

female characters in the narrative (binary oppositions). This will have am impact on the way in

which the audience feel towards this character, being able to identify with the feeling of being

different (uses and gratification). The pale colour connotes no identity, suggestive of the fact that

this character is new and hasn't made a name for herself yet.

The typeface then suddenly appears with the “mean” followed

by the “girls”. The creates a slight jump, differing from the smooth entry of the previous text,

connoting that the “mean girls” will create a disequilibrium. The white colour is neutral and

connotes purity, contrasting greatly with the meaning of the word. This binary opposition connotes

displays conflict and connotes that in the narrative the mean characters stand out the most (are most

popular). The colour pink colour is normally associated with young female children connoting that

the characters may seem innocent, however the dark tone of this pink connotes maturity, indicating

mature themes within the narrative. This colour is also connected to the feeling of love, connoting a

theme of romance through out the narrative. This is a usual convention of a film within this genre

and expectations include the protagonist ending up with her love interest by the end of the narrative.

The size connotes of this typeface is slightly larger than the previous text connoting that this is the

most important statement as it prepares the audience for the narrative.

The next title gradually appear after a short break in which the protagonist's background is

established. These titles enter as the music switches, highlighting a change in mood and

atmosphere. The typeface is now a light orange connoting energy, sunshine and warmth, and a pale

yellow connoting brightness and radiance. This complements the autumn greens and browns

displayed in the background of this shot which connote earth, growth and naturalness. The colours

used here connote that this is the last glimpse of peace and harmony (equilibrium) in the narrative

before the protagonist enters her new school. Similarly to the contrasting typefaces, the characters

face are binary opposites (worried and happy) connoting the clash between characters within the

narrative.

The typography quickly slides out to the right of the previous shot

and slides in at the left of this shot. The orange and yellow colours become darker and seems much

warmer and comforting connoting that the protagonist is needs comfort in this situation. The

character is positioned alone in the centre of the shot, emphasising this idea and the teenage target

audience will be able to identify with her vulnerability and loneliness (uses and gratification). The

text slides out with a slight bounce adding character and creating the idea that the text has a mind of

it's own.

The typeface continues the become darker in colour with the words

in red and orange in this shot. The red colour connotes warning and is also associated with

embarrassment. This gradual change in colour connotes the protagonist's build in embarrassment

and a teenage target audience will be able to identify with this (uses and gratification). Combining

this with orange, which is associated with warmth, connotes that the protagonist is becoming hot

and bothered as her cheeks become red. The typeface can be positioned as one word but still read

separately due to the contrast in boldness. Positioning the text in this way could connote that the

protagonist will feel suffocated by her emotions.

This typeface subtly appears as a character walks passed. This

entrance connotes that the protagonist will slip into the status quo without even realising. The green

colour connotes safety and naturalness meaning that the protagonist is safer being new than being a

part of cliques within the school. The white colour is simplistic and connotes innocence and

combining these colours connote that the protagonist's complications will begin when she begins

the change to fit in with the others. The position of the typeface is low down connoting that

currently the protagonist has a low social status and the teenage target audience will be able to

identify with the feeling of being invisible and unnoticed (uses and gratification).

The different typography connotes many different character groups within the narrative. These

binary opposites allow the audience to become active and chose a side to be on. This will also allow

all audience members to identify with the characters (uses and gratification). The white colour

along with the cartoon looking typography connotes innocence and goodness, connoting that the

character is pure and unaffected by the bitchy characters which she will encounter later in the

narrative. The orange colour connotes that the protagonist is determined to fit in. The fact that the

titles overlay the visuals rather than cut between, connotes a sense of harmony because the two are

working together rather than causing conflict. This ultimately connotes that the beginning of the

narrative will display an equilibrium, in which the protagonist will be happy and make friends.

The typography stays the same however the colour changes. The pink connotes a female character

where as the pale green is usually associated with males. This, along with the image which the titles

overlay connotes a male, female friendship which the protagonist will become involved in during

the narrative. The fact that two names are now displayed, and the shot features two characters,

connotes that the characters are being labelled. This highlights the teenage themes within the

narrative and a teenage target audience will be able to identify with this feeling (uses and

gratification).

The colour code of the typography becomes brighter as more

names are added at a time. The bright blue connotes power and energy, along with the bright

yellow which connotes radiance, joy and confidence.The bright pink is girly and playful and putting

these colours together creates a joyful image. This connotes that the more friends you have the

happier you are, suggesting the themes in the narrative and allowing a teenage audience to relate

with these thoughts (uses and gratification).The fact that the first name is bolder than the last name

connotes that characters aren't known for who they really are just the simplest label which they fall

under.

The different shades of orange used for this typography connotes

a loss of confidence and enthusiasm as it becomes paler towards the end. This fits in with the

narrative as the protagonist is constantly blocked from sitting down and finds herself unable to

avoid the attention of her classmates. The text is positioned together tightly connoting that the

protagonist is trying to curl up into a ball and hide away from the spotlight being casted over her for

being the "new girl".

The pale colours used here connote and lack of confidence as

the character's laugh at the protagonist. Seeing it from the protagonist's point of view allows the

audience to identify with her feeling and emotions of being , mocked by other (uses and

gratification). The pale blue connotes innocence and vulnerability, highlighting the protagonist's

emotions and the light orange connotes a lack of enthusiasm and joy. The text tends to move around

between shots to create contrast for the audience and keep them interested, however this has stayed

in the same position suggesting that the audience's attention should be on the visuals in this shot.

The typography becomes lighter with softer colours. The pale

yellow connotes happiness and the pale pink is calming connoting that the character which is

introduced in this shot (Ms Norberry) will comfort the protagonist throughout the

narrative.Similarly to the text in the previous shots, the font begins bold and then end less bold and

in this shot could connote that a teenage target audience loose focus quickly. By putting the end of

the font less bold than the beginning makes the audience have to concentrate more on what it is

saying as it is harder to read.

The typography in this shot is more chaotic then the text

displayed in previous shots. This is created by the different sizes, fonts and colours. The size of the

top line is much smaller than the rest of the text. The boldness of this text contrasts with the small

size and this binary opposition connotes that there are feelings between the two characters in shot

that are being held in. The different fonts, thick and thin, being put together connotes two

contrasting characters coming together in the narrative. The colours also display a disequilibrium,

alienating the one name written in the different colour. This connotes the themes of loneliness

throughout the narrative and a teenage target audience will be able to identify with the feeling of

being misunderstood (uses and gratification).

The green colours used in this shot connotes naturalness

and safety suggesting that these characters in shot are authoritative and responsible for the well

being of the other characters. This adds to the narrative because as the audience are seeing them

from the point of view of the other characters, allowing them to identify with them (uses and

gratification). Emphasising one word within this shot connotes that these authority figures have

their favourites and the protagonist will e one them.

The way in which the colour is used to single out one name

changes in this shot with final word of the title contrasting with the rest. This connotes that these

characters do not understand the importance of being high up in the social hierarchy of the school

and beleive that you will be more successful working alone and therefore focussing on your studies.

A teenage target audience will be able to identify with the feeling of battling between studying and

going out with friends (uses and gratification). In the background of this shot, the school colours are

introduced, yellow and blue; colours that stimulate mental activity and connote intelligence and

enjoyment. The slight dullness of these colours indicate that these characters will display a twist on

usual teachers and fit in with the over exaggerated stereotypical element to the characters within the

narrative. The sight difference in these characters will allows a comedic element to the narrative

creating entertainment for the teenage audience (uses and gratification).

The opening titles end with a lonely image created by an

empty toilets with one cubical occupied. The colour of the typography match the colour code of the

school, emphasising the setting and therefore highlighting that the protagonist isn't used to being

part of an institution. The dark blue is associated with wisdom, connoting that the protagonist's

intelligence will help her to get out of this uncomfortable situation.The bright yellow connotes joy

and energy, connoting that the protagonist will come back fighting and try to turn her luck around.

Setting up this image immediately tells the audience that the protagonist is sitting behind the door

(hyperdermic needle), making them feel intelligent and involved when it is revealed. Ending the

opening titles on this lonely image creates empathy and allows the audience to identify with the

vulnerability of the protagonist (uses and gratification).