Coraline (2009) Henry SelickJess Moorhouse

IntroductionThe opening title sequence of Coraline has a story of a doll being disassembled and re assembled in to a representation of the main character, this is a introduction in to the sinister parallel world. When we meet the other mother, the audience know it’s not what it seams from the introduction.

The opening title sequence quite unusual because it doesn’t clearly introduce much of the narrative, characters or location. Later in the film it is revelled that the creation of the doll is the other mothers and her way of trapping children. In addition it uses foreshadowing and themes to create a mysterious introduction. The main themes of the sequence being twisted innocence.

Titles

The titles are presented as sewing on a warn fabric background. The shots fade in an out in black.

The music changes when the tile appears showing the importance of the title. The music is piano with some illegible singing adding to the mystery. The singing is very high pitched. The music creates the atmosphere of the titles.

There are titles that fade in and out through the sequence they are always poisoned as to not cover any of the important things happening on screen.

Mise en sceneThe colours are very green and dull. The lighting is very dim and flat giving a cold feel to the sequence.

This destruction of the innocent child like doll is a very dark representation of Coraline and her neglecting parents.

Contrast between dull background and yellow thread is a foreshadowing of Coraline’s yellow jacket being in dark situations.

Cobwebs signifies neglect.

The angle of this shot, gives the impression of a operating theatre which gives the uneasy contrast between a child's doll.

The first and last shotsThe first and last shots in the opening title sequence are a direct comparison to each other. These two shots introduce the transformation between the two worlds.

The change in sky colour indicates that this is happening in the evening.

This is the first representation of the main character we can and from the cute smile, freckles, coat and quirky hair she's a typical character for a cartoon. The button eyes give the doll a deliberate creepy quality.

Sound trackWhen the first shot fades in the music changes with the piano fading out and strings and bells becoming more prominent. There is also the a man calmly and quietly singing like a lullaby also adding to the idea of innocence and childhood there is also the sound of a woman humming adding to the confusion of the whole narrative. In contract the metallic sounds in the background connotes the metal creepy hands. When the window closes the music fades.

There are some diegetic sounds of the metal hands at work, the pouring of the sand, sewing machine at work. This gives a atmosphere of security no one can hurt you while their preoccupied with work. The final sound if of the window closing signifying the end of the sequence.

Non diegetic Diegetic