Traditionally in children’s films the main character(s) are introduced and will dominate screen time. We are shown a lot about their personality, habits and routines which may differ to other films as this may be more complex.
Shrek follows the conventional structure of setting up the story and introducing the main character within the opening scene.
Although Shrek falls within the fantasy genre, this theme is played upon as traditionally in fairytale films/stories the main character is a “prince” or “princess” however here we are following the ogre, breaking the stereotype involved with these stories.
The character is established by showing the viewers his everyday routine, something that is common within childrens films.
Credits are also regularly used in the beginning of films. This is usually done by using text, added in during the editing process however it is more frequently being done within the scene as part of the setting. Shrek is a good example of this as the actors names are blended into the routine e.g. Mike Myres is shown as Shrek spits the mud onto the ground and Cameron Diaz is shown in the algae floating in the pond. Within our own opening sequence we are going to try and incorporate this by using items in the everyday routine of our characters, e.g. written in school book or written on a rubix cube.
Our opening sequence is going to feature two contrasting characters that hopefully children would be able to identify with. The following story would involve the meeting of these two characters and how their friendship would develop.
To establish these characters we are going to show them both going through their daily routine from waking up to going to school. To enforce the contrast of the pair, all shots will be mirrored by each other. E.g. a shot of the first character having breakfast will be followed by the second character doing the same.
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