Juno is a light hearted coming of aged film fitted with comedic elements as it follows the story of 16-year-old high-school

junior who is soon to discover that she is pregnant. The key convention of an opening scene is the title sequence and ensuring that these titles match with the genre and characters featured in the film. The font that has been used for the titles in Juno are seen as very childlike and similar to that of a comic book. The font has been used as a representation of the characteristics of Juno, the girl we see featured throughout the sequence, immediately we think of Juno as being childish and someone who is often away with the fairies as the font is made to look hand drawn and as though it has been doodled. As the audience we also think to link the font to a comic book style this t could connote that Juno is going against the stereotypical girly, cheerleading, popular girl that is often found in American comedies and would in fact rather spend her time getting stuck into comic books, doodling and being with her own thoughts. The titles themselves are of a large size and have been made to look as though they are three dimensional. The titles also show a link to the season that were first introduced in the opening sequence as they seemed to be moving in the wind, similar to the way the leaves fell just after they had come off a tree. In one part of the take it appears as though that one of the titles has been made to look as if it has been placed on a fence, this connotes to the audience something about the character Juno that much like the way the title has been placed she too is stuck between making decisions which links back to the saying of sitting on the fence. Again as a viewer we take note of the arty style in which the text takes as yet again it enforces how Juno is still very much in touch with her inner child however is having to grow up quick as the possibility of bringing her own child into the world quickly starts to move from a dream to reality. The style of the titles is also used to represent the genre, it is clear to see that the titles have not been presented in a serious way therefore proposes that the film is going to take a laid back approach that is edged with comedic elements. The costume worn by Juno in the opening sequence appears to be quite unisex. She is seen wearing straight cut dark jeans, canvas trainers, a plain black top fitted with a zip, red, hooded jumper all types of clothing that denote Juno as being more of a tomboy character. The outfit worn is all rather baggy and unflattering, however could represent to the audience another way as to how Juno has challenged stereotypes as these are not the type of clothing we typically associate with 16 year olds wearing. In addition, this could connote that Juno is not a vain or shallow person who feels the need to reveal large areas of her skin in order to feel popular or to gain male attention, reflecting on her personality of not wanting to be centre of attention for the way in which she looks. The opening sequence begins with an established long shot of Juno as she casually strolls along the pavement clutching a 2.8 litre bottle of Sunny-D; this bottle is carried throughout the sequence as Juno takes the occasional gulps from the kids favourite citrus juice drink. Drinking from a bottle is often deemed as unmannerly which presents Juno as quite care free and having a do what I want, when I want attitude. Finally, Sunny-D is often a drink that is associated with kids; this is due to the high amount of E numbers which the drink contains, therefore again this reflects the inner child within Juno as although she is beginning to take her first steps into adult life she is still enjoying drinks that are actually targeted mostly towards kids. Non-diegetic music has been added as it starts the sequence of whilst the audience see main character Juno as she begins walking. The added music completely replaces any other noise that could be playing during the introduction such as birds tweeting, car engines or passers by talking, this itself could connote that she is very much so in her own little

world which could immediately bring into question as to why she doesnt want to live in reality. Barry Louis Polisar, who recorded the song that is heard featured in the opening credits, said that the song itself was supposed to relate to Nursery rhymes and Childrens music, which again show a link back to the character of Juno who still feels as though she is like a child herself but maybe thinks that it is time for her to start growing up a bit. The lyrics If I were a flower growing wild and free, All I'd want is you to be my sweet honeybee are used to reflect on the character of Juno as she tries to grow out of the immature and naive image that she has been labelled with which also suggests that the plot of the film will see Juno face up to taking on adult responsibilities. However at the same time it is clear that the lyrics are reflecting on Juno still wanting to be able to feel secure with that somebody who can also support her as she makes these changes to her life, connoting that she also wants a romance. The first few seconds of the establishing scene shows Juno filmed in real time. This is where all the houses and trees surrounding her are pictured as reality. However, as Juno starts to walk on the take originally shown in reality is changed to an effect known as roto-scoping whereby the editor traces over live action filming in order to create a cartoon effect. This change of effect could symbolise to the audience that we have now been switched into the daydream world of Juno as she tries to escape away from reality and adult responsibilities. In addition, the extreme change in edit could connote that the life Juno lives at the moment isnt appealing to her and shed much rather be elsewhere in her own little world. The animated edit also shows similarities to that of a comic book which again reflects on the character of Juno who feels that at heart she too is still a young child. A group of male runners pass Juno, and unlike the main character, they are still being filmed in real time although all of them are a blur to Juno, this tells us that Juno herself is only focused on her own actions and is too busy contemplating her own problems/decisions than looking out for others. Not only does this show the audience how caught up in her world Juno is but it also presents a literal meaning. As the male runners pass Juno the audience can immediately pick up on the fact they are running in the opposite direction to her, emphasising to the audience that Junos character literally does go against the crowd. The Sunny D juice drink also turns into an animation, connoting that everything in Junos life is a bit of fun to her and she doesnt often take things seriously. Because she is half animated and half normal within the opening sequence it shows presents the idea that Juno feels like she is stuck between two places and isnt sure as to which path she should take to stay like a child or to grow up. Mise-en-scene plays the most significant role when it comes to portraying the main character in the introduction to Juno. It helps to create the mood that is set in the film, but from Junos point of view so the audience are instantly able to gain a better understanding with the main character. Within the first few seconds of Juno you see her standing in the front garden surrounded by a stereotypical American suburban neighbourhood. During the opening sequence you follow Juno as she begins her walk through her neighbourhood, revealing many more buildings and shops which indicates to the viewer that she lives in a quiet, rural neighbourhood, with such shops including of the drug store and the local shop. All of the houses surrounding her carry an extremely similar look consisting of white panelling and small mail boxes located in the front garden. This connotes that the character of Juno herself is still a child growing up in her own house with her mum and dad. The audience are soon made aware that the scenes carry a constant changing of the seasons. Firstly we notice the leaves as they flutter down onto the ground Juno walks on, then as she continues her walk

the trees featured in the background are changed to be shown standing bare to present that the scene has now moved into the winter months. A short while later as the runners run past one final time, the trees featured beyond them have all regrown their leaves and were now standing tall and healthy as they do in the summer days. The constant changing in seasons denotes that the world is changing, that someone is changing and that this somebody is Juno herself. This tells us that the main story for Juno is following her on a journey which could lead to some very drastic changes in her life.