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Opening title sequence timeline: ‘Definitely, Maybe’

·         0:00:02 - 0:00:20 – ‘Universal’ logo presented in animation form with the website of the company provided. This is likely the distribution company.

·         0:00:26 – 0:00:33 – ‘Working Title’ logo presented in animation form. This is likely to be the production.

·         0:00:35-0:00:37 – ‘Universal Pictures presents’

·         0:00:46 – 0:00:48 – ‘In association with StudioCanal

·         0:00:59 – 0:01:01 – ‘A Working Title production’

·         0:01:41 – 0:00:45 – ‘An Adam Brooks film’ – this is likely to be either the director or producer – the title is wiped as it slides along the screen

·         0:01:47 – ‘Definitely’ – this is this the first word which fades in before completing the title of the film

·         0:01:48 – ‘Definitely, Maybe’ – the second word is ‘Maybe’ and this completes the title of the film

·         0:01:53 – the title of the film then is also wiped away

·         0:01:54 – 0:01:57 – ‘Ryan Reynolds’ (Actor 1) – the name is wiped

·         0:01:58 – 0:02:01 – ‘Isla Fisher’ (Actor 2) – the name is wiped

Mise-En-Scene

Interior:

·         0:00:40 – A formal brown, envelope lands on the desk. It is clear a business envelope and perhaps a potential enigma. However, it’s sent by a courier service and includes a return address with three people’s names, suggesting it’s very important and from a solicitor. It also provides the audience with the location of the film, which is New York and the main character’s name is ‘William Hayes’.

·         0:00:42 – The setting is of an office environment within a skyscraper building, surrounding by similar buildings. This indicates that the main character works for a high-end business, especially as the building is visually attractive and so it must therefore be an important business. There is a reference to breakfast foods, such as ‘Quaker’, suggesting that the company is a breakfast company. Alongside this, behind the main character are designs for breakfast boxes, implying that the character’s job is in marketing or advertising and he is possibly a designer. The character also seems to be a senior member of the company because he seems to have his own personal office. He himself is wearing a shirt and tie and is sitting in an office chair, showing his formality and typical business position. From his performance, he is portraying a very stern expression, so he may be reacting seriously towards work or contemplating the contents of the envelope he has just received. Additionally, there are various items around his desk, from a laptop to stationary, highlighting how he is likely a very busy worker and has perhaps worked there for a long period of time. Furthermore, the scene is set during the day with the sunshine illuminating his office, as well as his face, which could illustrate how he is the most significant character in the film.  

·         0:00:55 – another piece of information is revealed with divorce papers being presented to the audience. It can be seen that his wife ‘Sarah Hayes’ is the one who wants the divorce as she is the plaintiff.

·         0:01:02 – a work colleague of the main character can be seen on screen and she is similarly wearing formal clothing to convey her business model. The woman has clearly applied make-up with well-brushed hair, showing her formality and her appealing appearance in accordance to the company she works for. In addition, other co-workers can be seen moving around in the background in an open office, which reinforces the idea that the main character is in a superior position to them in the company, especially as he has his own personal office, unlike his colleagues.

·         0:01:19 – more design boards are revealed beside the main character, establishing how he is perhaps a lead figure in their creation. There is also more than one chair in his office, suggesting that he deals with other clients and he is a senior company member.

Exterior:

·         0:01:23 – the main character can be seen outside walking away from his company building in the mid-afternoon. There is traffic emerging behind him, showing it is still a busy period in the day. Glass/chrome framing of the building indicates it’s a very sophisticated and high-class profession. It’s clear that the scale of the building is very large, which further emphasises its important.

·         0:01:33 – the main character places headphones on so he can play music. He has also unbuttoned his top button, so he is now slightly more casual. This may even suggest that he is feeling calmer now he is finished with work.

·         0:01:42 – 0:01:45 – many yellow cabs can be seen on screen. This is iconic and is ultimately a visual signifier for the setting of New York City. The traffic is very busy and flooding the roads. The main character also carries a business style bag over his shoulder, again reflecting the close association to his work.

·         0:01:50 – the famous landmark of the Chrysler building can be seen. Iconic to New York.

·         0:01:57 – the famous landmark of the Grand Central Station can be seen, which is another icon for New York. With this, there are pedestrians and traffic in the background, emphasising the bustling environment.

·         0:02:00 – 51^st Street is presented on screen. This is often referenced to in songs.

Sound

·         0:00:01 – music played alongside ‘Universal’ logo presentation.

·         0:00:33 – a sound bridge is used as there is background noise from the office. This immediately makes the audience aware of where the following scene will be. From the logo is the first scene and ambient sounds can be heard in the background. There are also the sound of heavy footsteps, likely caused by high heel shoes. These therefore again signify an office environment.

·         0:00:38 – someone speaks here saying: “Hi Will, package for you”. This dialogue is in the world of the character.

·         0:00:40 – foley sound is used here for when the envelope lands on the desk. The sound is amplified, making it seem like the object of significance is heavy, but it clearly isn’t. Instead the sound acts as a way to magnify the importance of it, as if it is a burden on the character and is therefore quite ominous because it is presumably bad news.

·         0:00:42 – a sound bridge is used from the quick clicking of the pen. This suggests that the character is very nervous and tense.

·         0:00:45/46 - a foley sound is used as the pen lands on the table. The scene then moves to the next title.

·         0:00:51 – a foley sound of the envelope opening and papers moving can be heard.

·         0:00:53 –a voice over from the main character can be heard. This is an internal narration, as it’s the thoughts of the character and seems like he is talking to the audience. This serves as a narrative device, providing some back story of his character: “I don’t think anyone ever imagines on their wedding day they’ll be a part of the 46% that doesn’t live happily ever after.”

-          Co-worker: “Just heard we got the Quaker Oats account. Way to go. You must be completely psyched.” Despite what she says, it’s clear from the main character’s reaction that he isn’t focused on her and reacts in a way that suggests he is unhappy.

·         0:01:08 – “Hmm” – this is his response, which reinforced his dislike for his job.

·         0:01:16 He goes on to say, “I never thought I’d spend my days, weeks and years working at an advertising agency trying to figure out how to get kids to Captain Crunch instead of Fruit Loops.” – seems like his period of working with his current company has been more like serving a prison sentence. Again, outlining his unhappiness with the job he has.

·         0:01:17 – there is a clear resigned huff from the character, once again displaying a dislike for his job. He then says, “But Tuesdays and Fridays are my favourite days. I get outta work early and pick up my daughter Maya from school. And it’s a great feeling when you find the right track to go with the day. I have found the absolute perfect song…the other perfect song” - rap music plays initially to set a genre of comedy, before a cheerful and happier music plays. Suggesting a more light hearted tone.

Camera work/Editing

·         0:00:39-0:00:41 – close up of formal brown envelope, which lands on the desk. It clearly signifies this document is important. It enables the audience to learn the main character’s names of ‘William Hayes’, learn the location of the film to be in New York and indicates that it has been sent by a solicitor.

·         0:00:42-0:00:46 – camera cuts to a shot main character, establishing the fact that he works within a high end business environment. He appears to be senior member of the company with his own personal office and is presented to be professional and formal through his attire of suit and tie. Also, objects such as drawing of breakfast designs, suggest he works for an advertising agency. The shot also serves as a reaction to the package, as he throws the pen down onto the desk. The scene then cuts to a title on a black screen, before cutting to the next shot.
- 0:00:47-0:00:49 - close up shot of the envelope here, re-establishes its significance towards the main character and story.
- 0:00:49-0:00:54 – the camera tilts up towards the main character and so it frames up to a close up of a reaction shot, showing the speaker’s concern of the envelope he is opening, which is signaled through his facial expression.
- 0:00:55-0:00:59 - close up in point of view of divorce papers, indicating to the audience that their attention needs to be focused on the envelope.

·         0:0059 – 0.01:00 -  a push in is used to emphasise the importance of the document he is holding, which is divorce papers and they display the plaintiff to be his wife ‘Sarah Hayes’. 
- 0:01:01 - medium shot of the main character, before the camera cuts back to the master shot. From the character performance, it's clear he is feeling conflicted and tense from seeing the divorce papers.
- 0:01:02 – 0.01:05 – a medium close up of colleague is shown, who is visibly happy about some success the company has achieved, unlike the main character in the followings shot. The shot is also slightly out of focus and the camera is placed so that it's clear that there are others working in the background, highlighting the busy business.

- 0:01:06-0.01:08 – a close up of the main character highlights his reaction to be underwhelmed and initially a sarcastic smile to prevent his colleague from realising he is actually unhappy.
- 0:01:09-0:01:18 - Then the camera cuts to the next shot, which is the master shot of him at his desk. This is a longer duration to allow the narration to be completed.

·  0:01:18-0:01:21 – a wide shot of the office highlights how the character is ready to leave and again reinforces the high end business environment setting of the scene. There is therefore a better view of the surroundings, clearly establishing the New York setting. 

· 0.01:21 – 0.01:25 – (cuts to exterior) the camera pans to the left, before a tracking shot of the main character as he is leaving his place of work with the dolly moving backwards. Clearly a very bustling society with pedestrians and yellow cabs constantly in flow in the background. The buildings are obviously of high end establishments from the glass/chrome frame – the scale is massive, emphasising their importance.  

- 0:01:26-0:01:29 - the camera cuts to an over the shoulder shot and a big close up of the character. arc shot of the character, as he is placing his headphones on. This suggest that this is important to him because the music is somewhat therapeutic for him. 

·  0:01:30-0:01:33 – camera cuts to a reverse angle shot. The camera was initially behind the character, then it moves in front of him. There is also a close up of the character, but the angle is slightly lower to give the main character more status. 

- 0:01:33 - cuts to a close up of the main character using his music player, suggesting this is important to him.

·   0:01:34 – A shot reverse shot and reaction shot to the wrong music playing is presented. This emphasises how the character doesn't wish to feel disrupted now that he off work.
- 0:01:35 - A shot reverse shot is used, showing the music player again, as the character pauses the song. This creates a sense of anticipation for the audience, as a further insight into the character's emotions are to be revealed through the music.
- 0:01:36-0:01:38 - reverse shot as he then plays the correct music. There is also a close up of the main character, showing his joy from listening to the music and happiness to leave work and pick up is daughter form school.

- 0:01:39-0:01:42 - there is now the use of slow motion, which reflects the calmness of the scene and the character's current state of mind. This is then transmitted to the audiences' own feelings. In addition, split screen is used with an over the shoulder shot of the the main character.

- 0:01:43-0:01:48 - as the previous frame develops, taxi cabs can be seen. There is then a medium close up and a tracking shot of the main character. Certain points display famous landmarks such as the Chrysler building and Grand Central Station, ensuring that the audience is certain of the New York setting.
- 0:01:48-0:01:52 - big close up of the character, whilst some screens push other screens aside.

- 0:1:53-0:01:55 - a big close up is again used, with a crowd of people seen behind him, implying that this city is a bustling environment and perhaps it is inevitable for him to interact with them.
- 0:01:56 - a tracking shot is utilised as the main character is crossing the road.
- 0:01:58-0:02:00 - a tracking shot of the character's footsteps is used here.

Group Roles:

Written and uploaded by Ismail Khwaja