RESEARCH - Research into similar products - opening sequences

                                                                Ben 10 opening

Camerawork:
The first shot you see during the opening is the sky with all the planets flying around, which then jumps into the sequence of Ben 10, this is effective because it suggests that Ben 10 is a planet out of space, this would be appealing to younger children, especially boys as they may find it fascinating and that might encourage them to watch it. The next bit you see is very fast past cuts and jumps of things included in Ben 10. Ben's face then appears, it is a close up shot. You can see the expression on Ben's face, he looks like he's concentrating and has some serious missions to complete. The fact Ben is the first character you see, suggests he is the main character in the programme. The music starts when Ben's face appears, which is then the narrative for whats going to happen in the programme, and helps to explain things happening in the opening sequences. The next thing you see is the thing Ben wears on his wrist, described as an "alien device". The fact that it was shown straight after Ben and before any other characters suggests that it plays an important role in the programme. This device can help attract children into the programme because they may think it's a "cool" thing to have and by watching Ben 10, they may get ideas on how to get one themselves. The next few shots shows Ben pressing the "device" on his wrist, which then transforms him into any alien he picks on the device, this would also be attractive to children as they may see it as Ben turning into a "hero" type character, which they could aspire to be like. Also because its a really unrealistic thing to be happening, but children may see it as being really "cool" because they believe that it's true. "Ben 10" then appears, it is moving about on the screen and the spacey background appears again, just after Ben has turned into a monster. This suggests also a really cool and abnormal setting which children will love because it's not always you get to watch a programme which is set in space, where a boy can press a watch type thing on his wrist, then turn into every monster it wants, so it is effective. Ben 10 then continues to appear and fade in and out of the screen repeatedly.  The next shots are all jump cuts showing all the different monsters and aliens Ben can turn into, this is effective because then the audience knows what Ben is capable of and aspire to be like him, they may think if they watch the programme they may get the powers Ben has. There is then the same shot showing the words "Ben 10" and space which was shown earlier. Ben is then shown to be running towards the camera, with flashes of different colours behind him, showing his strength. Ben then does a flip in the air, which when he lands turns into a alien. This is effective because it's showing what Ben's capable of, which is abnormal and it's why children are attracted to programmes like this. The next shots are all mid shots with numbers next to them, showing all the different aliens again which Ben can turn into, but this time with numbers next to them. Each little monster has about two seconds to jump around and show what it can do, this is effective because each of them may have little superpowers which the children will want to know about before watching the programme. The fact that there is ten aliens Ben can turn into compliments the title "Ben 10." The next ten seconds or so show Ben fighting with the other characters in the programme. The last section includes all the aliens and Ben all being sucked into a planet, with the last shot being Ben standing there showing his device on his arm, then the typical  "Ben 10" appears next to him. This is effective because showing Ben last gives the impression he is the main character, which he is. Also just having the typical Ben 10 logo next too him just clarifies that its the programme and also the children may recognise and relate to the logo first.

Sound & Narrative:
The only sound used during the Ben 10 opening was the theme tune, which in non diegetic. This is effective because it creates a narrative for us, the song helps explain all the actions happening in the video in a catchy and fun way. When the tune has no one speaking, it gives out the feeling of an eerie setting, where something weird is going to happen. The music is effective to the target audience of young boys. Although it's still upbeat and catchy.

Editing:
Lots of editing has been used during the opening of Ben 10, to make it effective to the target audience of young boys. There are various amounts of jump cuts used throughout the sequence, to create a more fun and fast paced effect to attract the target audience. The jump cuts are effective because they help to speed up the opening, as its for young children its effective as they get bored easily. Also because the opening needs to introduce all the aliens Ben can turn into and Ben 10 himself all in a short space of time, so jump cuts help the ability to do this. Other editing used are all the blocks of bright colours put behind Ben and the aliens to make them stand out more, this is effective because it helps to aim more on the middle focus. Lots of CGI are used throughout the opening of Ben 10, this is because the target audience is young children and CGI to them are fun and bright and interesting, so by including something which looks like a cartoon rather than a real person is more appealing to them. Example of CGI (0.35 secs). Example of block colouring, (0.40 secs.)

Mise-en-scene:
Props used during the Ben 10 sequence are mainly his device on his wrist. This is the most important prop because its key to the events which happen during the programme. Ben's costumes used are just everyday clothes, this is effective to the young target audience because its something they can relate too. Also Ben's clothing may encourage children to watch the programme as he is just dressed like you're everyday boy, so children might think if i dress like Ben i can become an alien.

Representations:
Ben 10 is represented as being a fun little boy, who is up for any challenge that is thrown at him, even if it means turning into an alien! This is effective to the young target audience because Ben is someone average that they can actually aspire to be like. The viewers will see Ben as being a superhero.

Conventions:
Ben 10 follows conventions through many different aspects. The colours are theme tune relate to the target audience of young boys. The music is catchy and upbeat, and sets the narrative. The opening sequence introduces all the main characters and objects, e.g Ben, his device and the aliens he can transform into, which is what is needed too understand the programme. Also the use of CGI, this is conventional to the target audience, because young children find it fun and easy to understand.

   
                                                            Screen shot of CGI

                                                 Screen shot - use of block colouring