Cinematography:
The title sequence shows a series of plates with food and text displayed upon them (the food which is displayed on the plates and the text written in various source types may portray the nutrition which the character receives. What he eats) ; close ups are used to clearly show to the audience the contents on the plates - it partly conveys the characteristics and qualities of the character as it shows what meals the character is likely to eat. A sense of a relationship between the character and the audience may be considered as personal items are unleashed (cards: ID cards, club cards) this could connote that the character has some reliance and faith in with the audience as he shows them his personal items. Referring to the food which is presented, this could connote a sense of confidence portrayed by the character as he is sharing specific items with the audience. The camera angle appears to be staring down at the floor throughout the title sequence; this could connote that the audience is particularly higher than the character socially - a sense of a hierarchy is conveyed due to the fact that the audience can observe the characters personality, the character may seem lower to the audience as he seems to appear in a nerd like or geeky form. Therefore, the audience appears to be more higher up than the character. When the characters face appears on a specific card, his appearance justifies the reason for him to be classed as a geek or nerd type character.
The close up shots blur out the background so the audience can focus on the plates with the text displayed on it; this makes the text easier to read (Depth of field). The appearance of the character in the card can emphasise a sense that he is a student.
Sound:
The title sequence gives a sense that the character lives in a rural area; you can hear birds tweeting. This connotes that the character does not live in an urban region or space. Throughout the temporal duration of the title sequence, no artificial sounds are dispersed (no vehicular sounds - traffic - sirens - police cars, etc). This emphasis that the character is living in a rural space. The particular soundtrack which is played (non-diegetic) is quite calm and ties in with the sequence in a fitting manner. The lyrics for the soundtrack relates to equipment, clothes, education, a girl (friend or in love with - maybe seen as a forbidden love if the character is seen lower in the hierarchy between the other characters).
The sound which is created by the plates being placed down dominates due to it's loudness; the character maybe seen isolated because there are no diegetic voices/movement throughout the sequence.
Editing:
The background becomes blurred when plates are displayed on the screen; this allows the audience to clearly see the contents on the plates. Throughout the title sequence, the shots are quite slow - enabling the audience to read the text and view the contents on the plates but it also could connote that the characters life continues at a slow rate whereas not a particular amount of subjects are present in his life. The jump cuts are displayed slowly which emphasise the characters life - slow
Mise-en-scene:
The audience can feel particularly comfortable when watching the sequence; the backgrounds are warm and indulging as the background can consist of the following: carpet, cloth, ground standard material (wood, canvas), table cloth. The backgrounds are materials which people usually see everyday in their homes - people can relate themselves to the sequence as the backgrounds show the audience common materials. The backgrounds used bring a more of a realistic sense as they are materials which are commonly seen in homes. The backgrounds corresponds with a sense of family due to the fabrics and floor tiles which appear throughout the title sequence.
The U.F.O Abduction Insurance card appears in the sequence and alien activity is typically shown in films in rural areas - (farms which are marked with peculiar patterns). This could connote that the character believes in alien life or the character can relate his life and insights with the audience, particularly with alien references. The character appears to be 'geeky' by carrying this item around with him. The appearance of the character which is displayed in the picture of his student card consists of glasses and frizzy hair - typical 'geek' appearance. Geeks are stereotyped to have interest in aliens; the U.F.O abduction card and book which is displayed in the sequence present the character as a 'geeky' character. The character seems particularly organised as he has his items neatly placed in his wallet and this could have some relevance of the character having phobias like OCD - having things neatly in order, 'geeky' characters in films are sometimes/rarely presented with OCD which could make them seem as very organised characters.
I can deduce that the food on the plates are remixed in strange combinations - teenagers usually have strange combinations of food. A variety of vegetables are displayed which could connote that the character is concerned or conscious about his health and he may want to remain with a healthy lifestyle. However, The food combinations which are displayed are quite peculiar - a banana is presented on a piece of brown paper alongside a chocolate spread sandwich; an example of a food combination which he experiments with.
The sequence is set in a house and it seems to be realistic in terms of materials also the light seems to be quite controlled and remains in order, the light seems natural as it is the same brightness throughout the entire sequence, brings fourth a sense of realism.
Timeline of Napoleon Dynamite:
0:00:00 - Beginning of sequence
0:00:03 - Fox Searchlight pictures
0:00:09 - Paramount pictures - presents
0:00:16 - (In association with) MTV Films
0:00:26 - (Starring Jon Heder)
0:00:32 - (Title name) - (as) Napoleon Dynamite
0:00:39 - Jon Gries
0:00:48 - Aaron Ruell
0:00:57 - Efren Ramirez
0:01:04 - Tina Majorino
0:01:12 - Diedrich Bader
0:01:23 - (Casting by) Jory Weitz
0:01:31 - (Music by) John Swihart
0:01:39 - (Edited by) Jeremy Coon
0:01:49 - (Production design) Cory Lorenzen
0:01:55 - (DOP) Mun Powell
0:02:05 - (executive producer) Jory Weitz
0:02:13 - (produced by) Jeremy Coon, Chris Wyatt, Sean Covel
0:02:26 - (written by) Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess
0:02:33 - (Directed by) Jared Hess
0:02:41 - End of sequence
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