HW 2a - Existing Opening Sequence analysis (DYM)

This opening sequence is from Toy Story (1995) and it is an computer-animated buddy comedy adventure film. The film takes place over a couple of weeks and it is not made clear where the story actually takes place; we only know it is based in an American town. We can tell it is a suburban town due to the nature of the housing; if  the film was based in an urban town the characters may have been based in a smaller house or flat rather than a large seen as seen in the opening sequence.

At the beginning of the sequence we see and hear the iconic Walt Disney and Pixar themes; these are the production companies. After this we see the child, called Andy, playing with his toys. He is using them in the stereotypical way you would expect a kid to play with toys, the purpose of this is to demonstrate the love between a child and his toys. It also sets up the main story line of the film which is the huge contradiction between how toys act when in human company and when they are on their own, however what this sequence does well is provide an extremely strong representation of toys as lifeless and therefore implies to the audience that the toys may be very active when on their own. Continuing on from this the main toy character, woody, is introduced as is clearly shown as a main character due to his primary involvement with the kid throughout the remainder of the sequence. And finally at the end of the sequence we are informed that the family are moving house, this suggests to the audience that this may be a main part of the films plot.

All the events in the sequence link to each other as connected events as we are clearly taken on a journey in the child's perspective as he moves from his bedroom to his living room on the bottom floor of the house. We also see a toy's, Woody's, perspective from roughly half way through the sequence as he is carried by the kid.

Woody and Andy are the only main characters introduced in the opening sequence, however quite a few of the supporting characters are also introduced. For example, the majority of Andy's toy set who are good friends of Woody are introduced when Andy is playing with them at the beginning while the family of Andy are introduced towards the end as he interacts with them in conversation. We also find out that the toys are completely inferior to the family as they are 'taken along for the ride' by Andy as he plays with them. i.e. they have no choice in what happens to them and this is clearly displayed when Mr. Potato head is pulled apart by Andy and none of the toys do anything about it to help him.

Not much story information is actually revealed, for example we are not yet introduced to Buzz who is a key part of the plot. I believe the director has purposely withheld the reveal of buzz as they dont want to reveal too much of the films plot this early on. However, they have revealed that the family are moving house and that therefore this may be a major stumbling block for Woody and his toy friends in the story.

At the start of this film, Toy Story, I think it is essential that the audience are introduced to at least one of the main toy characters and that the overlying plot is revealed. By revealing the overlying plot you ensure that you as the director can continue into different story lines immediately as the audience will know why they are occurring and how they contribute to the plot. Furthermore, by introducing at least one main toy character you signify to the audence that toys will have a major part to play within the film's story line. Overall, I believe this opening sequence as accomplished all these goals.