Sequence 2 - MICRO ANALYSIS

Camera (shot distances/angles/movements/framing)

Editing (cuts/speeds/special effects/transitions/)

Mise-en-scene (location/setting/costume/makeup/props/performance & lighting)

Sound (musical score, sound effects, wild sound, foley sound) 

The Simpsons

From the beginning of the title sequence we are introduced to the iconic voice saying “the Simpsons” in a slow memorable voice while the title fades through clowds to introduce the show.  This is the first bit of writing we see which signifies its importance and resembles its reputation. From then the camera cuts at a fast speed and gives an establishing view of Springfield from a birds eye view.  The camera pans around at a quick speed before zooming into our first central character.

After we get a feel of the area we are then introduced to our first character of the show being Bart Simpson who is in what seem detention writing lines.  An interesting thing that the Simpson’s title sequences does very well  is change the writing we see on the board every time to keep the audience engaged and have them looking forward to watching the show every time. The colour theme of the Simpson’s consists of many bright colours and almost builds a sort of story by the use of misc en scene.  We have many different things happening at one time from Bart trying to escape detention, to Homer escaping work, and Marge trying to get home before everyone else. This is reinforced due to the fact the music is becoming much tenser and seems to be getting a lot faster which adds an overall effect. As Homer is rapidly driving home we are introduced to a foley type of sound of the car skidding and the powerful engine sound to emphasise that he is in a rush. We are then introduced to a transition where Marge’s car runs into Homer at a point of view shot which finds the whole family on the sofa together. The use of humour in the title sequence gives the audience an expectation of what to expect in the show. Lastly we are introduced to the credits of the show through the Simpson’s TV, this is reinforced through the type of font and style of writing that the credits appear on, it makes it more realistic that they are on an actual TV.  This creates irony it its self-due to the fact the Simpsons are watching the people who created them. Overall I feel the Simpsons have one of the very best title sequence’s due to the humour used, the fact it creates a story in its self and the use of creativity and originality is perfectly performed through the use of sound effects and camera shots.

MACRO ANALYSIS

Key plot ideas:

Order of the story line:

what characters are introduced:

What social groups are introduced and how are they represented:

In the title sequence we are introduced to the main characters of the Simpsons which Is Marge, Homer, Bart and Lisa, the whole family of the whole Simpsons. The fact that we get a sense of the plot from the title sequence gives us the audience an idea that there is going to be many different type of problems and different story lines throughout the show. We get a sense of two different types of social groups in the show which seperates adults from children being Marge and Homer and Bart and Lisa.