Spiderwick chronicles;

 

 

Mise-en-scene;

At first we see the production etc and we can see it says nickledeon suggesting its a kids film representing magical and fictional things. We are mainly shown close-ups and extreme close-ups of the room e.g objects and jars etc. This intrigues and interests audience making them ask questions and gaining attention. We also see the images in the book of creatures and dragons etc yet again telling us its a fictional and make believe story. When the book is closed and we see the house we can see its deserted on its own in the middle of nowhere giving quite a spooky and scary effect and it leaves us wondering where this house is? and why its on its own? Towards the end when we the music fades and we see headlights we feel at some sort of ease as there is actually life and the lights of the car suggest comfort/hope and that these people might bring life back to the house etc.

Editing;
The first thing we see is the logo of the distribution company whilst slow music fades in. The shots become quicker and more fast paced as the opening continues building to a climax when we hear the roar. The main title of the film 'spiderwick chronicles' shows in big, old fashioned, gold lettering. It appears sparkling through the tree's and somewhat emerges and camoflages into the tree e.g. some of the letters look like branches and spiderwebs to match and link with the name. The use of having gold lettering links to the idea of adventure/treasure creating a magical feel. It is also similar to the gold ray of light shown from the book thats being written in. When the title is shown the background is zoomed out of focus e.g. has the use of blur to make us centerise and focus our attention on the title and what it says. The annimation of some of the plants is effective and is made to look as real as possible to relate to life. A cross fade between inside and out links the relationship, and is also effective when it shows a long shot of the house and fades into a more recent image of the house saying 80 years later.

Sound/music;
The sound in the opening starts as a faint drumming noise and fades/builds into high and low pitch throughout. The music is like harp/chimes with a mixture of natural sound using the effect of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Because of the chimes it gives the impression of a mystical/magical feel relating back to the genre of the film. It often switches between high pitch notes to low pitch and bangs, starting sinister and changing between linking to the idea of good (fairies) and evil e.g. twinkle and thunder suggesting whats going to happen in the film.The music builds becoming faster and faster with the opening of the door and the sound of footsteps. When the music starts to build it creates tension and captures the audiences attention watching every movement and happening. It continues to build until a sudden bolt of thunder and a loud roaring noise is heard when the book is closed, startling the audience and causing a reaction. It then slows back to the chimes giving the magical atmosphere again and slowly fades the engine of a car approaching eventually coming to a halt.

Camerawork;
Throughout the opening it often uses the effect of closeups and extreme closeups when showing the room filled with jars and insects etc to give a detailed view of the items and avoids actually showing us the man, making it more exciting and building tension. It also uses the rule of thirds when showing the titles (towards the beginning) has the title on the left and the natural surroundings of the room e.g. jars etc on the right. It uses a birds eye view from above the house to emphasise the riples/shock waves radiating from the house when the book is closed representing power and the strength of the book. It also has many jump cuts meaning it doesnt completely flow smoothly and often jumps from a long shot to a closeup. This builds and creates tension and excitment as the pace of the editing quickens, speeding up time and linking with the eratic editing and pace.