Weeks 8-9: Film Opening Research #1: Bee Movie

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?

There are two: the titles for DreamWorks and the film title. Along with those, there are the names of significant actors voicing characters in the movie.

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

Establishing shots of where Barry and his family live are prioritized throughout the opening scenes. These include shots of his town, his home, and his workplace. These shots give the viewer an opportunity to understand the basis of Barry's life. 

What connotations do the images carry?

These images all carry positive connotations. Barry's home and surroundings are colorful, letting the viewer assume that his life is, too. The shots all give the viewer the understanding that Barry is just a normal, young bee with friends who is starting something new in his life.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Technical codes: Camera work is obviously following the characters and their lives throughout the opening scene. The music is very upbeat and portrays an overall positive feeling. The scenes are very bright. All of these elements together creative a positive feeling from the genre. 

Symbolic codes: The colors in the film are very bright and portray a positive theme. The setting is in a town full of bees where most everyone is nice to each other throughout the opening scenes. The acting (voicing) of the characters is positive and all speakers carry happy and loving tones in their voicing. The main colors of the "costumes" are yellow. Yellow has an obvious connotation for being a happy color.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

A lot of the opening films portray Barry and his best friend on their way to graduation, ready to start a new chapter of their lives. The music becomes more intense as they get closer and closer to this new part of their lives. The viewer is left wondering what the characters are going to do, and how their lives will change drastically.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

The target audience of this film is kids. Strategies used to make this movie appealing to children are animated and interesting characters, positive music, a fun plot, and a somewhat relatable storyline. 

How has technology been used effectively? 

Technology was obviously a vital component to the creation of the Bee Movie; the film is entirely animated. The technology to animate a bee's life was used effectively to create a smoothly-running film that seems normal to the viewer.