A Series of Unfortunate Events: On Breaking Convention and contrasting openings...

Whilst in the middle of our productions of film opening, I watched this children's film based on Daniel Handlers (aka Lemony Snicket) strange book series and thought that it's opening went directly against many of the things we have learnt about creating a good film opening. I think this adds to the overall quirkiness of the film from 2004 and has also made me think a lot about just what makes a good opening and whether certain norms are actually necessary, despite that fact that it is not from our genre.

The film begins with very happy, chirpy music, leading into an animation. Not only does this initially cast doubt among the audience, but when the title of the film first appears as The Littlest Elf, and not what the films title actually is, it begins to make people question either why the film makers are showing them this (if it's significant) or if they are actually watching the correct film! I think this cleverly sets up the unsettled feel that runs throughout most of the film without being too obvious.

Lemony Snicket's A series of Unfortunate Events Opening (0:00 - 0:50) Please ignore Analysis!