Film Openings

 High School Musical

Musical/Family

High School Musical. Dir. Kenny Ortega. Disney-ABC Domestic Television. 2006. Film

    This film begins with a black screen with the words, "A Disney Channel Original Movie. Then, the black slowly fades to show an establishing shot of a wintry resort with mountains in the background and snow. At the same time, the title of the film, "High School Musical" appears in big font in the middle of the screen. At the bottom, "New Years Eve" is written to specify the time setting of the scene. The scene changes to a teenage party filled with kids excited to celebrate the New Year. It is at this point that the actors who are in the film are credited at the bottom of the screen. As the actors' name are shown, the scene changes again to Gabriella sitting on a couch reading in a different part of the hotel, away from the party. Her mom urges her to stop reading and enjoy herself at the teen party. The scene changes again to show Troy and his father playing basketball. His mother tells them that they have to stop playing basketball and instead get ready for the New Years Eve party. She did not travel all this way to spend vacation playing basketball. She lets Troy about the teen party as well. By this point, the cast members' names have stopped being shown. The scene goes back to the party, where Gabriella and Troy are seen entering the party. Gabriella opens her book to read, when the attention is directed to a man onstage. He is running the karaoke at the party and is choosing the next two people to sing. Suddenly, a spotlight is shown on Gabriella and Troy, meaning they have been chosen to sing. As they are pushed onto the stage, Troy and Gabriella keep refusing and look very nervous, but begin to sing anyway. At first they seem very nervous, especially Gabriella who has her arms crossed, showing her shy personality. Slowly, they start to open up and have more fun singing the song. For example, Troy takes off his coat and starts to dance. The entire crowd starts cheering for them after having a good time. The scene ends with Troy introducing himself to Gabriella, and Gabriella introducing herself to Troy. 

Heathers

Comedy/Teen

Heathers. Dir. Michael Lehmann. New World Pictures. 1988. Film

   

 This movie begins with the New World Pictures logo appearing followed by opening credits on a black screen that communicate the distributor (New World Pictures in association with Cinemarque Entertainment LTD), and two of the cast members. The black screen then transitions to a shot from behind of a girl tying her hair in a red scrunchie, with the title, Heathers, displayed in big font. As this occurs, a song, "Que sera sera", plays in the background. A long shot of three girls, all wearing different colors (yellow, red, and green), is shown as they sit in a garden drinking a beverage. The credits continue to roll at the bottom of the screen as more cast members' names are displayed. The three girls grab their croquet mallets and walk way from their chairs, stomping over flowers as they do so. They are seen casually walking together across the garden as the credits continue to roll. They then are shown approaching the croquet balls, each one matching the color they wear. After the girl wearing yellow hits her ball, they speak on who should go next. Its during this time that it is seen that all the girls' names are Heather. Heather (green) hits her ball and, inferred by their facial expressions, misses her target. Heather (red) then hits her ball and hits her target, which is a girl, Veronica, whose head is the only thing poking out of the ground. The three Heathers giggle, and Veronica is shown saying "Dear Diary". The scene immediately cuts to students in a high school hallway as Veronica gives a voiceover. 

Lady Bird

Drama/Indie

Lady Bird. Dir. Greta Gerwig. A24. 2017. Film

    

This film starts with the distributor's logo, A24, being displayed on the screen. This then fades to a black screen featuring a quote by Joan Didion on California and Sacramento. This quickly cuts to a scene of a teenage girl and her mother sleeping next to each other. This cuts to a scene of the same characters talking to each other in a hotel room as the mother, Marion, makes the bed. Ready to go home, the scene cuts to an establishing shot going down a highway and then to Ladybird and Marion driving in the car. They are seen teary eyed as they listen to a recording of the "Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. After the recording ends, it is then revealed through dialogue that they have been traveling on a college trip. As Ladybird turns on the radio once again, Marion asks her if they could sit without listening to more entertainment. Ladybird seems frustrated and after a moment of silence states how she wishes she could live through something. She continues to say how 2002 is not very exciting, revealing the time setting. they begin to argue as Marion feels that Ladybird is being ridiculous and actually has a great life. Ladybird apologizes for not being perfect, followed by Marion saying all she needs to be is considerate. Ladybird continues to say she doesn't want to study in California and instead wants to go to the east coast, but Marion explains how in-state tuition is barely affordable, much less out of state. This is when the family's economic hardships are shown, as Marion explains that Ladybird's brother barely has a job, since he bags groceries after going to Berkeley, and that her husband's company is laying people off. They continue to argue as Ladybird lists why she wants to go to the east coast, and Marion insults her daughter. Marion calls her daughter Christine, instead of Ladybird like she asked her to, and even goes as far to say that she will go to jail. Frustrated with the argument, Ladybird opens the car door and jumps out of the moving vehicle. Her mother screams and the scene cuts to a shot of Ladybird's pink cast with the words fuck you mom" written on it. All while music plays in the background. The opening credits roll in the following scenes.