Film Opening Sequence Analysis *Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice

Bend It Like Beckham

Name: Megan Hughes

My Analysis

Supporting Images

Cinematography & Camera Techniques

There is a wide range of shots used in the Bend It Like Beckham opening title sequence. There are long shots which show the full length image of people which could present types of body language. For example when Jess is wanting to score a goal and she sees all her family (that are against her playing football) stood in front of the net, you can see their distress and anger towards Jess by the way they’re standing and portraying their body as if they want her to stop and they don’t want her to score the goal because it’s not right. Close up shots are usually used to show in-depth facial expressions. Within this title sequence close ups are used mainly during the arguments and disagreements between the family to show the real emotion on the characters faces. Two shots are very commonly used due to the amount of dialogue in the Bend It Like Beckham opening title sequence. Two shots show communication and interaction between the family members. There is use of an ariel shot within this opening scene when Jess is in a football match… The fact it’s an ariel shot helps capture the action clearly and you can see all of the team players because it’s from birds eye view, this way it is easier to see the body language and expression of each character.

Film Opening Sequence Analysis *Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice

Visual Effects & Colour Scheme

There isn’t a particular colour scheme in this opening title sequence as the scenery changes frequently throughout. The red and white football kit with the number 7 is shown often which in a way portrays her love for football and especially for Beckham… It shows Jess is inspired by him and wants to be able to play football like he does.

Genre Conventions

The genre of the film is sport/drama/indie and all 3 of these are presented clearly within the opening title sequence. The theme of sport is shown at almost every moment due to the film being based on Jess’s dream to play football. The opening scene contains a lot of drama between family members showing the different views on Jess’s dream to be like Beckham. Also, the style of indie is brought into the theme because Bend It Like Beckham isn’t a mainstream film… It’s very unique and independent because the storyline isn’t one that’s typical and used all the time. Besides this I think the film is very educational and appropriate for all ages as it represents maturity and dignity and self-respect within different cultural areas.

Narrative

Although it is clear that the family aren’t necessarily from London (born and raised) due to their religion and appearances, I think London is where the film is based and where their current home town is due to their accents and sometimes the settings within the background. I also picked up on the fact they live in West London due to the girls playing for a team named ‘Hounslow Harriers’… Hounslow is the city they live in which is located in London.

Film Opening Sequence Analysis *Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice

Throughout the opening title sequence there is lots of dialogue between characters which is classed as diegetic sound. As well as this there is undiegetic sound which is usually noise from the background… So in this case, it’s the sound of the screaming fans, the sound of the music that changes to fit in with the timing of each bit of the opening scene.

Editing Techniques

There are a series of editing techniques used within the title sequence of this film. For example: zooming, cutaways, slow motion, sound effects. Cutaways are used frequently within the football shots to show comparisons between the players. Zooming is also used very often, usually when zooming in to show emotion on the characters faces or zooming out to show what the character is doing and occupied with. Sounds effects appear at obvious times (for example: the kicking of a football) to put emphasis on the actions within the game.

Title Credit Design