American Pie
Mise en Scene
Costume: In the opening scene of American Pie we see the main character, Jim, wearing just boxers and a T-shirt. This costume is used as a sexual innuendo and is to make the audience laugh and this gets them involved from the get go. It is also quite a shock to see him in that particular clothing which is what makes it so funny. It is clear from the very beginning that this film is going to focus more on the comedic side of Teen RomCom which is something that none of the other films I have analysed have done. Although there are little of them, the clothes that Jim is wearing are what you would expect a typical teenage boy to wear. This helps the audience relate more to the film as the target audience for this film is made up of a larger percentage of boys due to the large amount of comedy featured in the film.
Props: In the opening scene of american pie we see Jim watching pornography on his own TV and using a sock presumably to assist him in masterbation. These two props are also used in the scene for comedic effect, sexual innuendo. The film makers really want to get across that this is a very funny RomCom and is not gonna be as soppy and cute as a traditional Romantic Comedy film. They want it to be light hearted and funny, wanting their audience to have a good time. The film makers don't want to deceive they audience by being unclear about the nature of the film.
Setting: In the opening scene of American Pie we see Jim, the main character, in his bedroom. The bedroom looks just like any other typical teenage boy's bedroom with sports posters on the wall and a mini basketball hoop. This is all done to relate to the audience as the likelihood is most of the target audience will be teenage boys. Once they relate to the film it then gives them a more meaningful connection with the film and they are more likely to enjoy it. This, of course, is the overall aim of the film makers.
American Pie Analysis
Editing
Shot Reverse Shot: In the opening scene of American Pie we see a Shot Reverse Shot between Jim and his parents. This suggests to the audience that there is a relationship between the three of them. Of course that relationship is family but the Shot Reverse Shot helps the audience figure it out. It helps show they are all a family and the audience can relate to this as most if not all of their target audience will have a family and this connection in which the audience has made with the film will make it alot more enjoyable for them.
Foley: In the opening scene of American Pie the use of Foley is present for several sound effects heard. For example the bedroom door opening and the sound of the TV. These post filming sounds are add in after to make the overall film a much better quality as the added effects will be a lot clearer to the ear than sounds picked up by the camera whilst filming and as a result the film becomes more enjoyable for the audience.
Quick Cuts: In the opening scene of American Pie there are many quick cuts present. The use of quick cuts help speed up the scene to suggest action. In the case of American Pie the use of quick cuts help with the comedic effect as the cuts keep frequently switching between the TV which is showing pornography and Jim who is master bating to it. To the audience with a certain type of humour this will help with the comical effect of the scene and therefore make the scene more humorous for the audience and they will, as a result of this, enjoy the film more.
Soundtrack
Score: In the opening scene of American Pie Score is used to help build up the atmosphere and helps the audience understand what is happening during the scene. The score used in the opening scene of American Pie connotes that the Jim is doing something that he shouldn't be as it sounds like the sort of score you would here when someone is sneaky around in something like a crime thriller. The audience will make this connection straight away and will make them more comfortable watching it as they know what is happening.
Diminuendo: In the opening scene we hear the use of a diminuendo when Jim starts to talk to his mum. This tell the audience that what is about to be said is important as they have turn the score down so that you can hear the dialogue. In the case of American Pie it is so that the audience can here the funny dialogue being said as this film is very much focused on the Comedic side of the Teen RomComs.
Dialogue: In the opening scene of American the use of Dialogue is present. Dialogue helps the audience understand what is going on in the scene, how the characters are feeling, etc...
In the opening scene of American Pie it is to make the audience laugh as i said before, the film is largely based on comedy and Dialogue can be a source of comedy.
