Bend it like beckham film opening sequence analysis report sheet

1. Film Opening Sequence Analysis
*Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice
Bend It Like Beckham
Name: Megan
Hughes
My Analysis
Supporting Images
Cinematography &
Camera
Techniques
There is a wide range of shots used in the Bend It Like Beckham
opening title sequence. There are long shots which show the full
length image of people which could present types of body
language. For example when Jess is wanting to score a goal and
she sees all her family (that are against her playing football) stood
in front of the net, you can see their distress and anger towards
Jess by the way they’re standing and portraying their body as if
they want her to stop and they don’t want her to score the goal
because it’s not right.
Close up shots are usually used to show in-depth facial
expressions. Within this title sequence close ups are used mainly
during the arguments and disagreements between the family to
show the real emotion on the characters faces.
Two shots are very commonly used due to the amount of
dialogue in the Bend It Like Beckham opening title sequence. Two
shots show communication and interaction between the family
members.
There is use of an ariel shot within this opening scene when Jess
is in a football match… The fact it’s an ariel shot helps capture the
action clearly and you can see all of the team players because it’s
from birds eye view, this way it is easier to see the body language
and expression of each character.

2. Film Opening Sequence Analysis
*Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice
Visual Effects &
Colour Scheme
There isn’t a particular colour scheme in this opening title
sequence as the scenery changes frequently throughout. The red
and white football kit with the number 7 is shown often which in
a way portrays her love for football and especially for Beckham…
It shows Jess is inspired by him and wants to be able to play
football like he does.
Genre Conventions
The genre of the film is sport/drama/indie and all 3 of these are
presented clearly within the opening title sequence. The theme
of sport is shown at almost every moment due to the film being
based on Jess’s dream to play football. The opening scene
contains a lot of drama between family members showing the
different views on Jess’s dream to be like Beckham. Also, the
style of indie is brought into the theme because Bend It Like
Beckham isn’t a mainstream film… It’s very unique and
independent because the storyline isn’t one that’s typical and
used all the time.
Besides this I think the film is very educational and appropriate
for all ages as it represents maturity and dignity and self-respect
within different cultural areas.
Narrative
Although it is clear that the family aren’t necessarily from London
(born and raised) due to their religion and appearances, I think
London is where the film is based and where their current home
town is due to their accents and sometimes the settings within
the background. I also picked up on the fact they live in West
London due to the girls playing for a team named ‘Hounslow
Harriers’… Hounslow is the city they live in which is located in
London.

3. Film Opening Sequence Analysis
*Comment on the following aspects in relation to your film opening title sequence choice
Throughout the opening title sequence there is lots of dialogue
between characters which is classed as diegetic sound. As well as
this there is undiegetic sound which is usually noise from the
background… So in this case, it’s the sound of the screaming fans,
the sound of the music that changes to fit in with the timing of
each bit of the opening scene.
Editing Techniques
There are a series of editing techniques used within the title
sequence of this film. For example: zooming, cutaways, slow
motion, sound effects. Cutaways are used frequently within the
football shots to show comparisons between the players.
Zooming is also used very often, usually when zooming in to show
emotion on the characters faces or zooming out to show what
the character is doing and occupied with. Sounds effects appear
at obvious times (for example: the kicking of a football) to put
emphasis on the actions within the game.
Title Credit Design