Analysis of Sound in Legally Blonde's Opening: Bethany Volante

In the Legally Blonde opening, ambient sound and a little interaction between characters is blended with music to set the tone of the film.

Music

• The music featured in this opening is a song which was written specifically for the film, and has become a renowned hit and the audio face of Legally Blonde.
• The song is called 'Perfect Day', by a female singer professionally known as 'Hoku'.
• The song sounds bright and bouncy, with generic pop-rock use of guitar accompanied by a classic American rock star voice. The fact that the singer is female is significant, because having female artists in dramas like this is a common convention.
• The song creates a general feel of lightness and female positivity and independence, with an Avril Lavigne-like sound to the voice and backing track, and defiant and optimistic lyrics.

 
The cover or the Legally Blonde soundtrack (left), and the cover of Hoku's self-titled album



                                                                         Some gifs I made to visually highlight moments with                                                                                ambient/foley sound combined with the music


Ambient Sound/foley sound

• The ambient sound used in this opening was varied. In the shots where the person was riding a bike through town, the majority of distinguishable sound was made up of voices -- people were talking and laughing around her. On top of that, the sound of her bike chain can sometimes be heard over the voices, as well as her bike bell. Some of this sound could be inadequately quiet in the original shots, so could have been re-recorded in a foley sound-style.
• There is not much sound to accompany the alternative shots of the main character, Elle, getting ready, as they are close ups of things like hair brushing and shaving. However, the clinking of metal can be heard when a shot of Elle putting her necklace on is shown. There is also a groaning sound which can be heard while you watch her painting her nails. The same applies here, in terms of potential foley sound involved.
• There is little dialogue which is highlighted and can clearly be heard in the sequence. Short greetings are exchanged, but that is the majority of it.
• There is a one-sided dialogue between Elle and someone on the phone to her at the end of the sequence, when the music is fading out. Her voice is clearly intended to override the music as it the volume of it is decreased specifically for that moment.

Music and ambient/foley sound combined

• As previously mentioned, the song is upbeat and bright, with a generic, friendly American voice singing.
• On top of this, the sounds of the voices mainly consist of bright. friendly chatter and laughter.
• There are no violent sounds involved - the bike chain is heard whirring only gently, and so on.
• Therefore, all of this combines to create a light, carefree, and generally positive feel to the film's opening.