Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - The Film

Opening Sequence

The title sequence provided a lot of visual elements that could be used as reference points for the book cover. The items included in the beginning part of the sequence refer to the things left by Boo Radley in the tree for the children to find.

Also the drawing sequence refers to the importance of the children's role in the film. Although the film could only be produced in black and white at the time this also supports the overarching problems of racial intolerance. It also evoke a sense of seeing only 'in black or white' like only one is right, creating a sense of narrowmindeness. The titles use sanserif typeface in white that is bold enough to contrast against the black and white imagery.

 A large part of the sequence was filmed so that the camera was tracking the objects horizontally which allowed for the objects to contrast against the black background and white foreground. 

The use of black crayon on white paper meant that the white page was always more dominant than the black drawing with the white paper surrounding the marks much like in life in the 1930s.  The marbles were quite interesting in black and white as some were purely white while others had black marks through them where the colour should have been. When the marble with a black stripe through it rolled into the black marble this could symbolise how Atticus who is understanding of black people, stands side by side with Tom to prove his innocence. 

By tearing the mockingbird this could reference it being killed such as how Tom was, the force that it was torn at shows aggression, pointing to the idea that it was wrong to do so in the eyes of the child.