Opening Sequence of A Series Of Unfortunate Events

Through the opening sequence of the film as shown above, it is different to the actual film itself. The opening scene is animated and it creates a cheeriness atmosphere. However the film creates a tense atmosphere for the children involved going through unpleasant situations. The opening of the film might be a suggestion of how life was for the the children not a dull moment insight but after the loss of their parents they seemed loss and was begging for safety.
 

Sound
The cheeriness atmosphere is created through the non-diegetic sound, as the elf happily jumps around. The non-diegetic sound heard is the theme song of the film but later on written in my blog there is a post about the storyline of this particular film and the events a family member goes through to get what he is after.

Mise-en-scene
The titles are written in yellow and yellow is associated with happiness and joy. Many light colours are used in this opening sequence; the elf itself is wearing light blue clothing which represents trust, faith and calmness. Towards the very end the colour changes to black and we can vaguly see the elf. Seeing black at the very end which is associated with death, evil and mystery creates a tense atmosphere and all that joyfulness is no longer there.

Cinematography
There are many close-ups and long shots of the elf; this helps the audience to understand that joyful look on the elfs face and the jolly flow of movement in the elfs body language. At the start there is a birds eye view which pulls the audience into the opening scene as it makes us feel apart of their kingdom and as if we are godlike to them.


Editing
Fading is used to cut between one area of the kingdom to another to show all that cheeriness atmosphere is everywhere. Smooth panning is used as the camera follows the birds flying around and past other animated animals. The smooth panning helps create the relaxed atmosphere and it works very well with the peaceful soundtrack.