A high angle of Cady's parents is used at the beginning of the sequence. This make them seems intimidating. Even though Cady is 16, they're treating her as if she was 5, 'you can ask one of the big kids where to do that,' They both come across as very protective parents, but the audience doesn't know why- yet. Following, is a low angle of Cady, making her seem vulnerable, which perhaps she is, as they've just recently moved from South Africa to America.
Handheld tracking is used when Cady is entering the school grounds. This makes the surroundings seem busy. It brings the audience into the school setting, and makes them have a similar feeling to Cady.
Over the shoulder shots are used when Cady is introducing herself to her class mate. Show both Cady's and the class mate's facial expressions. These reveal a lot a bout each character, Cady seems more friendly. A low angle is used again on Cady, making her seem vulnerable in the new surroundings. She's portrayed as the 'new kid' The class mate seems rude and unfriendly. A high angle is used with her, making her seem more powerful, and perhaps intimidating.
A slight tracking long shot is used of Cady entering the cafeteria. This makes her look small compared to the room and possibly reflects on her feelings- feelings lost in a jumble of people after being used to being home schooled. The tracking shot follows her to the dining area, where she can't find a seat.
Point of view shots are also used in this scene. The audience sees different groups with spare seats at their tables reject Cady. This could make the audience connect with Cady more and feel sorry for her, as the other students at the school are giving her a hard time on her first day, as she 'had a lot of friends in Africa... but none in Evanston'
Editing:
A montage of photographs of Cady and her family in South Africa are shown when Cady is revealing information about herself. This, along with the voice over,the montage allows the audience to connect with Cady.
Match cuts are used as Cady is walking onto the school grounds, from mid-shots of her to point of view shots overlooking the different social groups at the school. The combination of shots allows the audience to relate to Cady as she's walking through the school grounds. The use of these shots make it clearer to the audience about Cady's first impressions of an American high school. She feels enclosed and lost in the jumble of new people.
An ellipsis is used when Cady is being told off by various teacher for doing innocent things to her looking for a seat in the cafeteria. It specifically highlight Cady's most memorable moments of her first day at school, which seem to be negative. This could tell the audience about Cady's attitude towards starting at an American public school. In some way, it foreshadows Cady's negative behaviour expressed later during the film.
A slight fade in is used when Cady is seen in the bathroom cubicle. It fades from the door of the cubicle through into the cubicle, focussing on Cady. This emphasises her isolation and makes the audience feel empathetic towards her, as she was unable to find a seat in the cafeteria and had to eat her lunch in the bathroom.
Sound:
Twinkly sounds, followed by horns are heard at the beginning of the title sequence of Mean Girls, as the Paramount sequence is shown. This music is linked to the company, Paramount, which many viewers may be familiar with. The use of this music makes the audience aware of the production company for this film. Paramount is a big production company, informing the audience that Mean Girls is a high budget film.
Piano notes as Paramount Pictures, Lorne Michaels and Lindsay Lohan are credited. These are the three main companies and people involved in the movie- Paramount Pictures being the production company, Lorne Michaels being the producer and Lindsay Lohan being the principal character. The piano makes it seem that they have the highest authority.
African drums are heard when the title of the movie is revealed to the audience. This may reflect on the main character's (Cady- portrayed by Lohan) origin, which is South African. The bang of the drum is almost like an entrance for the title. A sound bridge links the title to the opening scene of Cady's parents talking (diegetic sound)
In the same scene, non-digetic sounds are also heard- the African drums. This emphasises the origin of this family and makes this scene, Cady's first day at a new school, seem more personal.
Cady's voice over is heard, allowing this character to connect with the audience. It's almost like she's talking to her friends.This voice over gives the audience some background information about the character- such as her age, 16 years old, her precious education, that she was home schooled, her parents' job, both being research zoologists, the family's past home, living in Africa for the past 12 years and the reason why they moved, because of her mum's new job.
The song 'Rip Her to Shreds' by Blondie can be heard as Cady walks away from her parents and onto he school grounds. This is also as the rest of the principal cast are credited. This songs links to the title of the movie as it talks about conflict between two friendship groups. The song may be foreshadowing Cady's experience in the school. The clip introduces some of the different stereotypical groups in the school- such as the bullies and the rebels.
Another one of Cady's voice overs is heard, reflecting on her first day of school, this one however is more like a diary entry, as she expresses the difficulties on her first day in an American high school, for example, getting in trouble for going to the bath room, for reading a head, using a green pen and having food in class.
Mise-en-scene:
When Cady mentions the geeky homeschooled students, a young girl is seen at a spelling bee. Her costume she's wearing a straight, yellow skirt, a red polo shirt, glasses and has her hair in pigtails. This is a stereotypical outfit for a geek. Her setting (the spelling bee) is an activity for bright, well educated students.
Cady mentions how some people see home schooled students as 'weirdly religious'. 5 brothers are seen wearing western clothes, jean overalls, plaid button up shirts and have a very strong Southern accent. In the background there's sacks with targets on. This setting tells portrays a stereotypical western family.
Flashbacks of Cady and her father are seen. The setting of a South African landscape with zebras in the background give the audience an idea of Cady's past life, before she moved to America. An African man is seen holding a spear and wearing traditional African clothing. This adds an authentic feel.
Cady's classroom is a typical American classroom with single desks, tall lockers, a chalk board at the front of the classroom, a big wooden desk for the teacher. This setting makes it seem that Cady has entered a 'normal' high school, which is ironic, as the audience then finds out the drama and conflict that occurs.
Ms. Norbury is dressed as a typical teacher, in suit trousers, a cardigan, holding a satchel an a cup of coffee. Each item tells you about her character. The suit trousers tell you that she's well dressed, where the cardigan says that she also considers comfort throughout a long school day. The satchel suggests that she's a dedicated teacher and has the adequate supplies for the school day. Her cup of coffee hints that she's hardworking and relies on caffeine to be able to complete her daily work
