Joe's Children Film Work

Before 'Up' begins, it is immediately established as a children's film as the distributors logo appears (Disney Pixar) and is an iconic image in children's films. The film uses CGI animation, as is shown at the begins of the sequence, so it again resembles children's films. This is because kids are generally more entertained with animated people or objects doing un-naturalistic things e.g balloons flying a house. The opening sequence of 'Up' begins to tell a story of a magical lost land and an explorer attempting to find it. This is a stereotypical scenario of a children's film as it consists of unrealistic behaviour and allows children to relate to and use the melo-dramatic imaginations. The scene proceeds to introducing our first character, Carl, a little boy who is watching the cinema screen in fascination. He is already established as the main character of the film as he his presented as a boy with a dream, almost foreshadowing him accomplishing his dream as the film commences. He commits to the conventional propp's character type used in children's film, in his cute image and shy personality and is almost seen as the 'hero' of the film. We are later introduced to another character, Ellie, a tomboy who immediately develops a relationship with Carl. The opening sequence continues with a flash of images of the two characters growing up together, getting married etc. Amongst this sequence the use of non-diegetic sound is very iconic for a children's film. The music contrasts between happy and sad melodies played over the top of the sequence and depending on the emotion in the scene.  It allows the audience to feel as the characters may feel, and particularly feel sympathetic at the point at which Ellie dies of old age. Sound in a children's film is vital in creating an atmosphere, in which the young audience can relate to.