Evidence of planning - The Polar Express - Lynsey

This opening sequence involves an introduction to the main character, a little boy. There is a narration by a man before you see the boy, and he talks about himself as in the boy is him, and he is speaking about that night. You first see him in his bed on christmas eve, until he opens his eyes to the sound of bells and sneaks downstairs to see whether santa has come. He becomes excited when he sees a shadow in the shape of santa claus, but his disappointment is obvious when he realises its his family making the noise, and hides in his room listening to their conversation about how he doesn't really believe in santa. He proceeds to look at lots of different sources which prove that anyone can dress as in a red suit, many dress as santa and pretend to be him, and that the north pole is 'devoid of life.' His parents kiss him goodnight and he is then woken up by the train at exactly 5 to midnight.

the narration gives the instant realisation that the young boy is the main character.
This film is an animated adventure, containing fantasy and set at christmas time. the opening sequence sticks to the conventions of a childrens film, it is something any child who celebrates christmas would experience, staying up late at night hoping to see santa. The main character is a very ordinary looking young boy, with ordinary pyjamas, and looks rather boring. The establishing shot of this film comes down from the sky, it is snowing, which makes the perfect christmas eve's night to wake up to fresh snow on christmas day. It is all supposed to be perfect except the little boy's disbelief. the overall atmosphere is tense but exciting, its building up to something exciting occuring.