Title sequence analysis - 4 comedy films.

Four Lions, Ted, Elf and About a Boy. 

What is titling and why is it important?

Titling shows us the name of the film, actors, corporations etc. It is important as it shows you what genre the film is through font and colour schemes etc.

For example:

Shaun Of The Dead 

white  - simplistic font 
           - binary opposition
           - doesn't give too much away
font - military style

Title sequence analysis - Back to the future (1985).

Enigma created - surroundings (setting) but no person.

Props* are used to hint at narrative - just enough for audience to have an insight.
* - Newspaper cut out
   - Tv report

Foreshadowing through symbolic props** - hints at narrative.
** - Man hanging from clock finger
     - 1950's cat clock
     - radio advert

Continuous editing - slow paced, allows the audience to absorb key details and get a sense of size.

Opening titles analysis - Music.

Reservoir Dogs (1992).

Upbeat, catchy song - lyrics/beat rhythmic to introduce characters - creates impression of characters.

Halloween (1978)

Music establishes dark/horror mood - links with images on screen.

Builds - gets more intensive as it goes on - build tension/suspense

Vertigo (1958)

Music used to direct viewers' attention to the visuals.

Sets a mysterious mood.

Four Lions (2010) opening tiles analysis.

Sound.

Diegetic sound is used to focus the attention of the audience on what is happening on the screen - all of your attention gets put on the characters.

There is a 'grainy' audio quality to match the home video, which switches to a higher quality afterwards.

There is no use of background music (or non-diegetic sounds) until almost 3 minutes in, when the titles first come on screen.

The non-diegetic sound is composed to fit the mood set by the characters, for the transition between the opening sequence and the titles.

Lighting/colour tone.

The initial setting uses a dark, enclosed room which is mysterious, but at the same time focuses the demographics' attention on the character on screen.

Editing.

The editing used shows the clips cohesively from minimal angles (the 'home video' angle, close up on other characters and a wider shot of all three characters). No transitions have been used between different shots, makes the scene more intense.

Iconography.

Some props used include: A gun and Eastern type backdrop sheets - both of which suggests crime and extremists. 

Se7en (1995) opening titles analysis.

Sound.

Non-diagetic - beat of music coordinates with names on screen for emphasis.

Build to a crescendo - signal for beginning of film - tension - excitement.

Music intentionally composed to create a mood of darkness & intensity.

High volume - audience feel emersed/ bombarded.

Lighting/colour tones.

Dark shadows/earthy/sepia tones - mystery - enigma.

Editing.

Quick cuts in succession - linked images.

Shots with longer screen time - highlight importance/significance.

Cohesive shots - repeated - hint at narrative & create cohesion.

Iconography.

Gun, razor blade, crime scene evidence - violence/crime scene.