Coraline opening textual analysis
Summary of the plot -
A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is quite similar to her real life only much better. But when her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home - and save her family.
The genre of the film is 'dark fantasy', this often combines elements of fantasy with horror.
Typography
At first the titles are shown onto the screen but on a still old fashioned back ground. The name 'Coraline' has been stitched into the canvas, then a button falls into where the 'O' is missing. Perhaps this is a semic code for later on in the film.
The font of the typography is consistent through out, the font used is old fashioned and its colour is white, suggesting the opening was set in a time before the film. tThe titles always fade out and move onto the next ones. The majority of titles are shown on screen for about 3 seconds each, when the doll enters the window, the titles match the dolls movement as they ripple, the is a form of motion tracking.
Order of titles
In the first minute or so, the titles are placed onto an old fashioned background. At first the film company is shown (Focus features) and then the company associated with it (Laika productions ).
The main actors names then comes after this placed on the blank old fashioned screen. This is because well known actors influence people to watch the film. Therefore emphasis is put on them because there is nothing going on in the background at that point so people watching will read the titles.
When the short story about the doll starts, the technical people who were involved start showing up in titles. For example who did the editing, story board, visual effects, music, director of photography. However the audience will be less interested in these titles as they are curious as to what is happening to the doll. At the end of the opening, the directors name is shown, the story has stopped therefore people will pay attention to his name.
Sound
The diegetic sound in Coraline is quite sinister as it seems to be adventurous, yet wary and anticipating something to happen. The sound changes from up beat to being very dark, in very little time. The words sang in the song are unclear, is difficult to understand what is being said. It sounds like children making noises, which is relevant as the film features some children.
Sometimes the audience can hear the piano playing in the background, usually working its way up to the high notes.
The sound is also distorted, which matches the action happening at the time.
Mise en scene/ editing
When the doll first comes in through the window, the stars outside could suggest that this is set in another world? The doll does fly in by itself which is a bit creepy.
When the doll is laid down on the sewing kit, the mise en scene is very detailed, showing different tools all in order. The doll seems to be dominated by the creepy hand, which suggests perhaps the doll was a real child?
The doll's clothes are cut off which could be a reference of abuse.
The hair being pulled from the dolls hair could be a sing of torture.
The insides of the doll are torn out, perhaps suggesting that the person that doll once was is gone.
The doll is then made to look like Coraline, replacing the girl it already was, perhaps the creepy hand has now found a new victim.
Why is this an effective opening?
- The opening pretty much sums up the different stages of what happens to Coraline during the film. The opening does give some clues as to what will happen, for example when the doll is turned into Coraline at the end of the opening, this gives the idea that perhaps the doll plays an important part in the film.
- Also it leaves the audience wondering what the creepy needle hand is and what its purpose is, and why it creates human look a like dolls.
- This is a quite unique opening, although it is classed as being a 'kids film' it is actually quite creepy, even for some adults.