analysing the opening credits of moonrise kingdom

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Analysing the opening credits of Moonrise kingdom Cinematography The opening sequence to Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom is a gorgeously intricate, moody, and playful introduction to a family apart. The first shot is of a woven tapestry of a red house on the sea (which is later shown to be Suzy’s families house). The camera is on a dolly which is tracking down the hallways of the house making it seem like the audience is peering around a dollhouse. There is serif typography used in the credits in a number of pastel colours which matches the colour palette of the house. we then do a 360 degree pan pausing at 180 degrees briefly introduced us to three other people. the first shot as a long shot lasting 40 seconds the audience is given an unusual extended time frame to understand the shot. Wes Anderson clearly has taken inspiration from the independent film industry. Mise en scene The lighting is important in this scene, it is completely unnatural and is unrealistic of the weather in the background of the scene. The darkness that the grey sky projects onto the scene conveys a completely different message than usual romantic comedies do.

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Page 1: Analysing the opening credits of moonrise kingdom

Analysing the opening credits of Moonrise kingdomCinematography

The opening sequence to Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom is a gorgeously intricate, moody, and playful introduction to a family apart. The

first shot is of a woven tapestry of a red house on the sea (which is later shown to be Suzy’s families house). The camera is on a dolly which is

tracking down the hallways of the house making it seem like the audience is peering around a dollhouse. There is serif typography used in the credits

in a number of pastel colours which matches the colour palette of the house. we then do a 360 degree pan pausing at 180 degrees briefly

introduced us to three other people. the first shot as a long shot lasting 40 seconds the audience is given an unusual extended time frame to

understand the shot. Wes Anderson clearly has taken inspiration from the independent film industry.

Mise en sceneThe lighting is important in this scene, it is completely unnatural and is unrealistic of the weather in the background of the scene. The darkness that the grey sky projects onto the scene conveys a completely different message than usual romantic comedies do.

Page 2: Analysing the opening credits of moonrise kingdom

Analysing the opening credits of Moonrise kingdom

EditingThe editing in this scene is minimal, as the scene only comprises of ten shots, majority of which last for over ten seconds. Therefore this means that the transitions between the cuts of shot are conventional and mundane to keep the audiences attention focused. The minimal, simple editing keeps the audience focused entirely on the narrative. Whilst doing this the understated editing also adds an odd undercurrent to the film as it is not seen often in larger studio films.

Character The character choice is vital to understanding how this romantic comedy differs so greatly from traditional films of the same genre. The characters are very young and have been put in a adult situation of being independent and in a romantic relationship. This deviates heavily from the traditional twenty something couple trying to survive in a modern western society. It is important to note her hair and make up. She has heavy blue eye shadow on her eyelids, and blusher on her cheeks. This mask not only illustrates again the difference between childhood and adulthood but it also makes the audience have doubt for her character. She instantly become untrustworthy as she appears to be hiding something.