Mamma Mia!

The key parts of a title sequence are to introduce the genre of the film, indicate location and time period and usually features an introduction to the characters.

I will be analysing how effective the title sequence for Mamma Mia! The musical (directed by Phyllida Lloyd in 2008) is in introducing the audience to the film by using sound, camera movement and mise en scene.

Camera angles and mise en scene are used to indicate the films location and time period. There is a small boat on the sea which is glimmering from the light of the moon suggesting that the film is set abroad. A wide shot is then used to show a small island to confirm that it is in fact set on an island, then gradually shows white washed buildings all of which creates an idyllic setting for the beginning of the film. This makes the title sequence very appealing making the audience want to carry on watching. A close up is then used to introduce the audience to Sophie- the main character. She is seen travelling by boat on her own late at night indicating that posting these letters off is a secret but also how alone she may feel about the situation she is in. This creates many enigmas for the audience such as why is posting the letters such a secret? What are the letters about? And who are they being sent to? Which is good in a title sequence as it creates intrigue which is key to any title sequence. The three main male characters are also introduced in the title sequence with the use of parallel editing and mise en scene to indicate how different these three men are not only from the different locations around the world which they are travelling from but also the means of transport they use.

Costume is very important in the title sequence as it allows the audience to see how different the three men are not just because of the different locations they are from but also how they are dressed. Bill is dressed very casual with shorts and a t-shirt showing how carefree and relaxed he is in his attitude to life, while Harry is the complete opposite dressed in a suit and tie showing that he is presumably very successful and sensible. Where as Sam although is dressed in shirt it is unbuttoned at the collar making him seem relaxed and cool.


The main credits of Mamma mia don’t appear until the end of the title sequence however make an impact with the airplane projecting them onto the screen suggesting that the film is set in an exotic location. The font itself is in block capital letters making it stand out and the use of an exclamation mark makes it appear that it is being shouted and attention must be paid as the film is starting. The lettering is shown in glitter showing that the audience that it is aimed at is mainly females as they prefer glitter and sparkly thing more than a male audience. This makes the title sequence meet its aim of indicating the genre of film and audience it is aim at.

The music used is relevant to the film mamma mia as it is a musical based on abba songs. This gives the audience a clear indication of what the genre of film is fulfilling one of the main aims of a title sequence. Starting off with a solo from Sophie of I have a dream. The song shows some of Sophie’s character and her feelings suggesting the narrative path that this young woman is taking as she has a dream and wants something particular out of her life. The music then changes to a very upbeat abba song suggesting the urgency and curiosity of the three men and where they are travelling too. However the fact that even though the men are the main characters they don’t have their own sound motif suggests they have something in common, creating enigmas for the audience.

Sound of Music

The main aim of all title sequences no matter what genre they are is to establish a number of things such as; genre, who the characters are and their narrative drive.

The title sequence for the sound of music (directed by Robert Wise in 1965) is what I will be analysing to see how well mise en scene, sound and costumes are used to establish certain aspects of the film such as genre and the main characters.
The establishing shot is an image of mountains. This is significant as usually the main aim of an establishing shot in a title sequence is to give an indication that this is the location where key parts of the film will take place. The Camera angles in this title sequence are mainly aerial shots of the mountains and Austria creating a carefree feeling for the viewer. Representing how Maria feels while she is up on the mountains singing, away from rules and regulations. There is then a close up of Maria showing that she is the main character and also to show how happy she is whilst there. The camera then tracks Maria as she runs along the mountain and around nature making you instantly warm to her as you feel like you are part of her journey- a main feature in title sequences as you want to be able to connect with the main character.

As the sound of music is a musical the music is a big part of the film and in the title sequence a lot of different types of non Digetic music is featured to show this. Maria starts singing the theme tune for the film using the lyrics of the song to give narrative expectations about the film. Such as “ill sing once more” in referral to captain von trapp who later on in the film refuses to sing because it reminds him of his late wife but in the end learns to sing once again thanks to Maria. However she stops singing when she hears the church bells chiming and runs off in panic again giving narrative expectations towards other parts in the film that similar events may occur with music, the church and main characters running away. This helps create suspense and intrigue as your just getting to know Maria and then she runs away making the audience wonder where and why she has gone- always the aim in a title sequence as you feel compelled to carry on watching.

The main credits are displayed in hand written swirly font in an orangey yellow colour which is a happy and cheerful colour indicating the genre of film that the sound of music is. All the main character are listed with Julie Andrews name first as she is the most famous actor in this film- this is key in a title sequence as it makes the film more appealing to the audience and also shows that she is the main character. The sound department is then displayed next as they are very important part of a musical film.
The same font is the used to indicate the place and historical period by stating that is “Salzburg, Austria in the last golden days of the thirties.” The last comment creates intrigue for the audience all of which is the main purpose of a title sequence as it makes them want to carry on watching the film.

Mise en scene is also very important in establishing where the film is set and who the main character of the film is. As Maria- the main character is seen on her own in the mountains. With a number of different shots churches showing that she must be religious or a member of the church. It is shown that Maria is a nun in her costume as she wears very plain and dull coloured clothes with her hair cut short. However her nun’s headdress is not shown until the end as she has taken it off making it seem like she doesn’t take being a nun seriously and may not enjoy being one.

Post Production

I thought the filming and the editing of our video went well with very little trouble. Apart from the editing as instead of using a cut in we had done a zoom instead. the filming went well as we had done sufficient planning and all the shots were planned and recorded successfully.