Clueless
Clueless Analysis
Mise en Scene
Costume: In the opening scene of Clueless we see the main character Cher in many different expensive, fashionable outfits and this implies to the audience that Cher is rich and is of quite a high class. The character Cher with all of her expensive, fashionable costumes could spark to different types of emotions in the target audience towards her. The target audience is teenage girls and they will either love or or hate Cher. However, whether you love her or you hate her, everyone wants to be her because of the life she lives and watching the film is the closest they can get to it. By doing this a diversion is made and in a way the audience can be Cher and can live a better life for the duration of the film.
Props: In opening scene of Clueless we see the main character using a special computer system that picks out Cher's outfit for her. This is an advanced piece of computer software and would be desirable by many people especially teenage girls who find outfits quite important. Teenage girls also happen to be the target audience for this particular film/ genre. Cher also drives a nice, new and shiny jeep which was bought for her by her father. This just increases the desirability of Cher's life to the target audience as they, again, can create a diversion for themselves from their real life and therefore brings them closer to the film. This all results in the audience liking the film and there for spreading it to all their friends through word of mouth. All the props are used to entice the audience in and to make them fall in love with the life that Cher lives and to make them want to be Cher, this desire is an emotional connection and is brings them closer to the film.
Setting: In the opening scene of Clueless we see very desirable settings in Cher's mansion and the neighbourhood she lives on which is full of other mansions. Much like all the other aspects of mise en scene in the opening scene of Clueless, the settings are designed to make the audience want to be Cher and live her life with all the privileges she has due to her rich father. The desire for Cher's life that the audience will be feeling will bring them closer to the film as they have made an emotional connection with it.
Editing
Montage: In the opening scene of Clueless we see a montage present. It shows lots shots of Cher having fun shopping and hanging out with her friends without any worries or stress. This shows to the audience that Cher's life is almost perfect and this makes them want to be like her. The audience can make a diversion from their own lives with her's and they will get pleasure from it as she has such a care free life getting anything she wants. The audience will want to watch this to achieve this diversion for the duration of the film.
Quick Cuts: In the opening scene of Clueless we see quick cuts present during the montage. This suggests a lively, fun atmosphere and in this case this is to give the audience an insight in to what Cher's life is like. The Quick Cuts excites the audience as they see Cher's life and, in essence, it looks like one big never ending holiday so they want to be a part of it. The way in which they can do that is by watching the film.
Shot Reverse Shot: In the opening scene of clueless we see the use of a shot reverse shot. The shot reverse shot in the opening scene is between Cher and her Father, it shows to the audience that these to characters have some sort of relationship ( Father and Daughter).
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Soundtrack
Ambient Sound: In the opening scene of Clueless we hear a lot of Ambient sound. Examples of this are footsteps, water splashing and car engines. the use of these sounds in the opening scene is to make the film much more realistic for the audience and it helps them to relax as they are hear the noises they expect to hear. If the audience saw someone jump in a pool but not hear a splash they would get confused and unsettled. So the use of ambient sound makes the film more enjoyable for the audience.
Score: In the opening scene of Clueless the use of score is present right from the off. The genre in which the score is is very rocky. This genre connotes rebellious hardcore behaviour and therefore the audience will relate that to the actions of Cher. They will think she is cool and want to be like her. Also some of the target audience may be able to relate to her as they may be rebellious themselves and as a result become closer to Cher making the film more enjoyable for them.
Voiceover: Much like in Mean Girls and Easy A, in the opening scene of Clueless a voiceover is used. Narrated by the main character Cher, she talks about her life and how she is no different from any other normal teenage girl. However, whilst doing this she is getting ready in her massive mansion. This shows to the audience that although she may be considerably wealthy, she is still like any other girl. This helps the target audience connect with Cher as she says herself she is just like any other teen. As a result of the connect made the audience can find the film more enjoyable.