Lion King Opening Sequence

Lion King Opening Sequence

1. How does the title sequence establish genre, character and narrative?

The title sequence shows the animated style of the whole film. This establishes to the audience that the film is animated. It is an epic title sequence, which establishes that it will be an epic film. The sequence introduces us to many of the characters present in the film. It also has a very powerful soundtrack over it written by Elton John. The track is called “The Circle of Life”. The track along with the seamless animation helps to move the audience.

2. How does the title sequence attract an audience’s interest?

It has a powerful soundtrack along with stunning animation. Together they create a dramatic atmosphere, which draws in the viewer. We are also shown many of the different characters throughout the sequence and it causes us to want to find out what happens to them in the rest of the film.

3. What do you consider to be the target audience of the film and why?

The target audience for the film would be children. This is because it has a G rating which stands for General Audiences. It is also the case that the film is by Disney, a film company who specialize in children’s films. Although the film is aimed at children it still greatly appeals to adults do to its great script, actors and soundtrack.

4. Describe what you think is happening in the clip. What seems to be significant about what you can see?

In the clip we can see a bunch of different African animals all heading to a central spot where the king lions cub has been born. The audience assumes it is a significant event as we are shown animals of all species from all over coming together.

5. Describe the characters, their actions in the sequence and their relationships to one another.

All the characters are animated animals. In the scene they are shown all coming together where the king lions new born son is. They are shown walking across dramatic landscapes such as rolling hills and large waterfalls. The animals seem to have a community feeling within them.

6. How do setting, location, props and costume choices contribute to your interpretation of the sequence? Consider what information these convey.

It is animated taking place in the African Serengeti. The animals and the scene all help to contribute to being in the wild. They help to create realism in the sequence.

7. How does the sound shape your responses to the sequence? Comment on dialogue, tone, incidental sound and any music you notice, exploring their impact on your emotional response to the sequence.

How does camera technique contribute to the creation of meaning in this sequence?

As the scene is set in the wild there is a lot of use of wide establishing shots. The scene also uses many panning and tracking shots as well as close-ups when new characters are introduced. We can see a panning close-up at the very beginning when a female lion walks on to a grassy hill. An example of a wide establishing shot is at the beginning with a shot of a waterfall and a cliff face.

8. Consider the ways in which the editing affects our interpretation of what we see in this sequence. How important are pace and continuity in shaping your response to what you see?

The editing in the scene is slow and flows well. It fits in well with the soundtrack, which is slow and emotional in a happy way. The slow cuts place the audience in a state of memorization due to all the beautiful scenes and animals.

9. What genre does this sequence seem to belong to?

The genre of the film is a hybrid between a musical and an adventure. The sequence fits to the musical aspect as it uses dramatic music with singing over it. The scene also liks to and adventure as we see the different journeys all of the animals are making.

10. What questions would you want to ask about the rest of the film? Based on what you have seen, what predictions might you make about narrative events that have already occurred and developments follow?

The scene makes you wonder what big event is going on. This is due to all of the animals heading to one place. It makes you question what events will be unraveling and makes you want to see more.