I will watch a variety of title sequences in order to observe what features work well to make the title sequence as captivating as possible. I will then analyse the pro's and con's to consider what elements we could incoorperate in our two minute horror film. A title sequence includes the title, key production and cast members in a display of text over relative cinematography of the film.
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TWIN PEAKS
This quirky thriller established the scene in a chilling way. This was because of the peaceful yet daunting music combined with images that represent danger. Although I didn't like the florescent green text used, I did like how it was striking and relevant to the style. I liked how the title appeared in the centre of the frame as it dominates it- displaying it in an important manner. It used a variety of images which gave a sense of what was to come, but in an artistic way; this also helped introduce scenery, location and symbolic references through the images and editing. The images integrated which gave the title sequence a sense of fluidity and therefore appeared more sophisticated. The over-laying was a feature I would consider using. MAIN POINTS: -Title in middle of frame. -Bold, striking and stylistic font. -Over-laying images, the sense of fading (fluidity). |
CAPE FEAR
Cape fear also uses many features from above but presents them differently. Symbolic images such as water, the colour red and a hawk were displayed in a simplistic yet artisic way. This enables the audience to feed off these images for their own imagination, making the title sequence very tense and full of suspense. Stylistic font and the title in the middle of the frame was also used, but the font was much smaller- giving the audience the oppertunity to observe the imagery more than the text. The creepy undertone is created by the peircing, eery and repetative music. This title sequence has showed me the importance of music; without the music the title sequence would be calming, whereas with this unneasy music added it stimulates the essence of uncertainty. MAIN POINTS: -Appropriate, tense music. -Font that is suitable and stylistic. -Symbolic and simple imagery. |
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THE SHINING
The text in this title sequence wasn't stylistic and I felt that the colour of the text was too bright for the genre. I didn't like the order of the credits as it meant that the title was randomly in the middle; for me, the title at the end worked better in the other two sequences. I did, however, like the use of the titles scrolling from the bottom of the frame to the top because it complimented the fast cinematography. The music played an important role again but in this title sequence it was less instrumental and used more percussion to mimick a heartbeat. The low pulse and surreal sounds gave an uncomfortable tone; the feeling that someone was lingering. In this case, the music played the part of 'less is more' ans it built tension. The cinematography built a fast pace to the sequence with rapid fades from the editing to create the fluidity. Ariel shots added to the uncomfortable atmosphere that someone was watching, which was perfect for introducing the genre through the sequence. The main feature I grasped from watching this title sequence was the use of cinematography and editing to establish the surroundings and pace. MAIN POINTS: -Establishing surrounding. -Music to create impact. -Find appropriate order of titles and appropriate font. |
From analysing these three title sequences, it has enabled me to consider elements for the two minute film.
The main elements that stood out for me:
-Appropriate use of music to compliment pace and genre. It needs to evoke an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience, and the sense of uncertainty. This introduces the tension and acts as a platform for the two minutes to come.
-The fluidity of the piece is important, to make it look sophisticated and shape the whole two minutes (including the title sequence).
-Establishing the surroundings in an artistic manner.
-Using suitable font, boldness and colour for the genre.
-The importance of the layout of the titles/credits.
The main elements that stood out for me:
-Appropriate use of music to compliment pace and genre. It needs to evoke an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience, and the sense of uncertainty. This introduces the tension and acts as a platform for the two minutes to come.
-The fluidity of the piece is important, to make it look sophisticated and shape the whole two minutes (including the title sequence).
-Establishing the surroundings in an artistic manner.
-Using suitable font, boldness and colour for the genre.
-The importance of the layout of the titles/credits.