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.