Textual analysis (21 jump street)

I have looked at multiple film openings in order to research how professional movie developers use different techniques to create certain effects. I would like to create a comedy piece, so I have researched using comedy movie openings. I will be looking at a large amount of things in the scene including things like the use of mise en scene, the representation of characters and even sound.


The clip begins with the iconic trademarks of the different companies that contributed to the creation of the film, though these have been somewhat integrated within the scene, as the song played throughout is continuous during all of the film logos and the actual movie scene. This makes for a very smooth transition from the sort of "behind the scenes" aspect of the film, to the actual scene. The song is also very fitting for the movie, the rap is modern and popular which will attract a lot of people in general while also linking with the appearance of one of the initial characters.


As soon as the scene begins, the audience is given ideas on who the film is going to be focused on, we are given an "over the shoulder" camera angle on a character. This introduces a somewhat personal effect that connects this audience with a character,  I think this is used to simply show us that this is the main character, as it is just a few moments into the scene. Typography is also introduced around this time, and this is used very subjectively in the scene. The text is bold, intimidating but most importantly it is flashing red and blue. The connotations of this are based around the police and police cars more specifically,

The use of mise en scene throughout the clip is very cluttered and full of people, this is a somewhat iconic decision in  a high school scenario as it makes the characters seem small and insignificant. The non important characters are wearing bland colours to make them blend into the background, whereas Jonah Hill and the "pretty girl" are wearing bright vibrant colours to stand out and show them as somewhat significant. During this scene, the music is rising in pitch and general intensity, insinuating it is leading up to a climax, probably some form of action sequence or confrontation. It also represents the feelings of Jonah Hills character, as there is a faint non diagetic heart beat in the background, representing his nervous feelings.

We are then introduced to another main character, this is represented by the use of costume. The letterman jacket instantly connotes a "jock" style character, which is emphasised by his dialogue and general personality. This is an iconic setup for characters, the jock and the nerd which makes for an interesting confrontation, this is where the main characters are established and some of the story.

The opening also corresponds the Barthes' semiotics theory, as there are multiple things that support it. The conversation between Jonah and the girl in itself is an action code, as we are given the impression something important is going to happen throughout that sequence. The very end of the scene with both characters sat on benches is also a Barthes code, I believe it is a symbolic code, symbolising them as equals, this juxtaposes with the previous scene as it showed the jock character as superior to the nerd. This is where he basis of the film is established, polar opposites in high school are put in the same boat, and become an odd couple of friends. The camera angle is a long shot, which I believe represents them being small and vulnerable in the world now they've left high school.