Mise-en-scene is an expression used to describe the design aspect of a theatre or film production, which essentially means "visual theme" or "telling a story"—both in visually artful ways through storyboarding, cinematography and stage design, and in poetically ...
The opening to Harry potter and the Philosophers Stone uses various techniques to hook the audience, enticing them to watch the film. The opening sequence is very effective as it sets the base of the story, reveals the genre of the film and puts across the ideologies of the film. These are achieved through the techniques of: how he story is introduced, technical elements, what and who we are introduced to, codes and conventions of the genre of film and withheld information.
The initial scene in the film’s opening sequence begins with a fade shot of the street sign for ‘Privet Drive’ with the camera panning around the mysterious location. The location, as the camera is panning round, appears to be very dark and gloomy. The use of colour is mise-en-scene, which suggests the genre of the film to the audience as being mysterious and entices them to continue to watch to discover the mystery. There is an owl sat on the street sign which suggests to the audience that it is the middle of the night, as well as presenting wizarding connotations as stereotypes suggest that owls are commonly related to being owned by wizards and witches, therefore, making owls a common code and convention of wizard films. Furthermore, the non-diegetic score used in the first scene, which is a slow pace and soft twinkle, infers that the genre of the film is mystery and fantasy.
In addition, as the camera continues to pan around the location, the audience is introduced to the first character; an older man with a long white beard, glasses, a pointy hat and wearing long robes. Mise-en-scene has been used in this scene through the characters costume which presents wizarding connotations and supports the stereotypes associated with wizards. Additionally, seeing the wizard suggests to the audience that the film will involve adventures and magic. Moreover, after the audience is introduced to the wizard, Albus Dumbledore, a low angle shot is used to show him stood in the street. The shot illustrates that that he is of a high significance and is an possesses an important role in the film.
following this an establishing shot is used during the part of the sequence where Hagrid is landing his bike after flying through the sky. The effect of the establishing shot used displays the contrast between the real world and the wizarding world as a flying bike is not a natural occurrence in the real world. Furthermore, the flying bike further supports the suggested genre of fantasy because it is not an object which exists in the real world. The bright light from the front of the bike breaks through the darkness and contrasts the dark sky making the bike stand out, highlighting the significance of whoever is on the bike. In addition the light is an example of mise-en-scene and it illustrates hope and foreshadows that whoever is on the bike will bring hope to their world.
The opening sequence ends with and extreme close up of a baby’s face and he has a scar on his head. At this moment the baby’s name is revealed as ‘Harry Potter’ and as his name is revealed the score becomes louder and more intense. This infers that harry Potter is a character of great significance. Furthermore, the close up focuses on Harry’s scar which makes the audience wonder about the story and they will continue to watch the film to find out how he got the scar.
There is a lot of missing information and unanswered questions from the opening sequence such as who harry is, how he got his scar, what happened to his parents. These questions and many more will assist in enticing the audience to continue to watch the film.
Overall, the opening sequence of Harry Potter and the Philosophers tone is very effective and successful at hooking the audience. This is achieved through the introduction of main characters, giving an insight into the story, the genre as well as making the audience aware of the setting and location.