Film Genres...

Action
Adventure
Comedy
Crime
Disaster
Documentary
Drama
Epic
Family
Fantasy
Film-noir
GLBT
Horror
Musical
Mystery
Romance
Science Fiction
Sport
Thriller
War
Western

Orphan Title sequence...

I decided to research the title sequence of the the horror film, 'Orphan', as I felt we needed to look into more horror films which involve children as their main role. I also felt that this would be a good film to look at as the child bases her murders in the film from her drawings. I felt that this linked to our title sequence as the child in our film is also drawing disturbing images. From first observation of this title sequence I also realised that the whole of the, 'Orphan' is based of the child's drawings from using neon light, showing that they have linked the sequence to the storyline.

The sequence begins with the company logo of, 'Dark Castle', which is covered by different coloured neon paints, which look as if they have been thrown over the logo. The music used in this part of the sequence sounds also quite eerie, connoting to the audience that it could be a horror/thriller film. The first image in which is shown to the audience is a drawing of a Bible, the drawing looks quite rushed and not very neat, the connotation to this could be the idea of it being a child's drawing, showing that the film could involve a child. The text of one name then emerges into another, but seems to have a flicker effect, which could connote the idea of something being jumpy or distorted in the film.

A blackout screen is then used, during this the music changes and seems to become more intense, which gets the audience more captured in the title sequence and makes it more horror-like as a film. The music changes when the next image is shown, it becomes louder and more intense which makes this part of the sequence quite eerie, which seems to also create suspense. The change is the image with is seen as a drawing, flickers and when the shot becomes darker the neon colours show a much more disturbing image compared to the lighter image of the child. The neon colours show drawings of scissors and knives, which have a denotation of being sharp, but the connotation of being dangerous, causing death. These images are also around the neck of the drawing, showing that as the neck is a dangerous area to cause pain.

The next clip shows a drawing that I feel looks a little like a ribbon, which could link to the mine character of this film. There is a rough drawing of a group of people in a square building, the connotation to this could be idea of idea of these people being a family. When he images goes to a dark light again, and begins to flicker the image has neon pen marks which show drawings of fire and there is a cross. This could represent the idea hell maybe as the cross symbolises religion and heaven, way as burning it could connote the opposite: hell. The fire could also connote the idea of the family or house burning. As the image flickers the drawings of the people disappear, which could be a connotation to them dying. showing the film could be a horror/thriller as death could be involved. There is then a five second blackout screen, which then links to the title of the film, 'Orphan', the text starts of as being simple black font and then flickers. linking to the rest of the title sequence and turns into neon light which has scratched text.

Once looking at the different codes and conventions of the title sequence of the film, 'The Orphan', the audience are able to understand that the genre of the film seems to be a horror, as it shows representations and connotations to death, and the title sequence as a whole is very dark.

Researching the Music...

While looking through different music examples on youtube, I found a sample which I felt we could use as a template before making our own piece of music to fit the title sequence. I decided to pick 'The Omen's' title sequence music as a starting point on the research of music and it too has the same film genre as ours. I also wanted to look at a horror which involves a child, this is when I decided that 'The Omen' would be a good film to look into.

British Board of Film Classification...

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
Parental Guidance General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.
Suitable only for 15 years or over No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

What is a title sequence?

'A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members.' A title sequence is also used to simply show the audience the main ideologies of the film, for example the genre of the film and the target audience.

Timeline of Horror films...

1950- God, man and devil - Joseph Seiden(director)
1951- Bride of the Gorilla – Curt Siodmak (director)
1952- The Black Castle – Nathan Juran (director)
1953- Donovan’s Brain – Felix Feist(director)
1954- The Mad Magician – John Brahm(director)
1955-Dementia – John Parker(director)
1956- Invasion of the body snatchers – Kevin McCartney(director)
1957-Voodoo Island – Reginald Le Borg(director)
1958- Dracula – Terence Fisher(director)
1959- Beast from haunted cave – Monte Hellman(director)

1960- House of terror – Gilberto Martinez Solares(director)
1961- The mask – Julian Roffman (director)
1962- The Phantom of the Opera - Terence Fisher(director)
1963- The Birds – Alfred Hitchcock(director)
1964- The haunting – Robert Wise(director)
1965- Die, monster, die! – Daniel Haller(director)
1966- Chamber of horrors – Hy Averback(director)
1967- A taste of blood – Herschell Gordon Lewis(director)
1968- The Ghastly Ones – Andy Milligan(director)
1969- Taste the blood of Dracula – Peter Sasdy(director)

1970- The horror of Frankenstein – Jimmy Sangster(director)
1971- The Devils’s Nightmare – Jean Brismée(director)
1972- Death line – Gary Sherman(director)
1973- The Exorcist – William Friedkin (director)
1974- It’s alive! – Larry Cohen(director)
1975- Trilogy of terror – Dan Curtis(director)
1976- The Omen – Richard Donner(director)
1977- The Hills have eyes – Wes Craven (director)
1978- Halloween – John Carpenter(director)
1979- Alien – Ridley Scott(director)

1980- Friday 13th – Sean Cunningham(director)
1981- Eyes of a stranger – Ken Wisederhorn(director)
1982- The thing – John Carpenter(director)
1983- Psycho II – Richard Franklin(director)
1984- Razorback – Russell Mulcahy(director)
1985- Midnight Hour – Jack Bender(director)
1986- Witchboard – Kevin Tenney(director)
1987- Mirror of death – Deryn Warren(director)
1988- Waxwork – Anthony Hickox(director)
1989- Skinned Alive – Jon Killough(director)

1990- Child’s play 2 – John Lafia(director)
1991- The People under the stairs – Wes Craven(director)
1992- The Untold story – Herman Yau(director)
1993- Frankenstein – David Wickes(director)
1994- In the mouth of madness – John Carpenter(director)
1995- Night of the scarecrow – Jeff Burr(director)
1996- Scream – Wes Craven(director)
1997- The Shining – Mick Garris(director)
1998- Psycho – Gus Van Sant(director)
1999- The blair witch project – Daniel Myrick(director)

2000- Final desination – James Wong(director)
2001- Jeepers Creepers – Victor Salva(director)
2002- The Ring – Gore Verbinski(director)
2003- The texas Chainsaw massacre- Marcus Nispel(director)
2004– Saw – James Wan(director)
2005- The Exorcism of Emily Rose – Scott Derrickson(director)
2006- One missed call – Manabu Asou(director)
2007- 28 days later – Juan Carlos Fresnadillo(director)
2008- The Strangers – Bryan Bertino (director)
2009- Saw 6 – James Wan(director)
2010- Let me in - Matt Reeves (director)

What are horror films?

Horror Films are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films effectively center on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and strange and alarming events.

Horror films go back as far as the onset of films themselves, over a 100 years ago. From our earliest days, we use our vivid imaginations to see ghosts in shadowy shapes, to be emotionally connected to the unknown and to fear things that are improbable. Watching a horror film gives an opening into that scary world, into an outlet for the essence of fear itself, without actually being in danger. Weird as it sounds, there's a very real thrill and fun factor in being scared or watching disturbing, horrific images.

Institution research – Who would produce/distribute your film?

Twentieth Century Pictures was an independent Hollywood motion picture production company created in 1933 by Joseph Schenck, the former president of United Artists, Darryl F. Zanuck from Warner Brothers, William Goetz from Fox Films, and Raymond Griffith. Financial backing came from Schenck's older brother Nicholas Schenck and the father-in-law of Goetz, Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM Studios. Company product was distributed by United Artists (UA), and was filmed at various studios.

The company was founded in 1904 in New York City by William Fox, a 25 year-old Jewish Hungarian immigrant, who sold his cloth processing business and with the profits earned bought 'common show'. At that time, it was the legal phrase for the exhibition of motion pictures in a store remodeled for that purpose and containing fewer than 299 seats. These movie theaters charged five cents admission and therefore became known as "nickelodeons.

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, with hyphen, from 1935 to 1985) – also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox – is one of the six major American film studios as of 2010[update]. Located in the Century City area of Los Angeles, just west of Beverly Hills, the studio is a subsidiary of News Corporation, the media conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch.

In 2005 Fox Interactive Media (FIM) was formed to oversee News Corporation's new media acquisitions, FIM is a portfolio of leading social networking, entertainment, sports and information sites that offer a platform and tools for consumers to express themselves, communicate with each other, and engage with media. The company's worldwide network includes such category leaders as MySpace, Photobucket, IGN, FOXSports.com, RottenTomatoes, AskMen, Flektor and more that together comprise one of the largest audiences on the Web.

Some of the films in which 20th Century Fox were a part of was:
- Moulin Rouge!
- Ice Age
- From Hell
- Phonebooth
- Fantastic Four
- Mirrors
- Marley and Me
- Knight and Day The Filmmakers Destination is a production tool for filmmakers offering information about the lot, blueprints, photos, video, inventories and much more to assist you in completing your project. Universal has quality production, post production and special events services and facilities in a controlled environment. The studio welcomes feature films, short films, television, commercials, independent films, music videos, still shoots, new media and special events.

Each department boasts award-winning talent and experienced staff. The variety of departments have vast inventories and state-of-the-art equipment. The studio ensures excellent customer service including flexible package deals to get your project completed on time and within budget. Universal offers the convenience of one-stop shopping for all your production and post-production needs.

The studio has also made great strides in pursuing green, eco-friendly alternatives by installing solar panels, high-efficiency boilers and recycling. Universal Operations Group supports the filmmaking community by sponsoring organizations and actively participating in related events.

Some of the films in which 'Universal' have been a part of:

-The Mummy Returns

-The Fast and the furious

-Johnny English

-Hulk

-White Noise

-Children of men

-Slither

-The Strangers

Analysis of contemporary opening title sequences vs. older opening title sequences:

Analysis of contemporary opening title sequences vs. older opening title sequences...

Vertigo Vs. Catch me if you Can:

Vertigo: A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Genre of film - Crime/mystery/romance
Release Date - 21 July 1958
Tagline - A tall story about a pushover.

When looking at the codes and conventions of this title sequence, analysising the title sequence of the 1958 film, 'Verigo' it begins with a close up shot of someones face which then changes into a extremem close up shot of someones eye. This may be done this way to emphaise on the idea of looking at something closely. The eye then changes from a normal skin colour to a red image of the eye which may connote the idea of danger. Then the eye image imerges into a new image which is of a pupil of the eye, then into a spiral which changes colour and shape (this continues throughout the title sequence). During the process of the spiral changing colour and shape, it could represent to the audience the idea of confusion and disorientation which may show what the film may be about. Then the film title sequence about includes a many different names of the people behind the making of the film. Names such as the co-director, casting, actors/actresses, screenplay, director of photography, sound recorder, make up artist, who edited it and many more behind the scenes roles. Then once the names have all been shown, the spiral changes back into the pupil of the eye, showing that the credits of the names have finished and the film is about to begin. The music which has been used I feel connotes the idea to the audience of the film being about confusion as the music is very edgy with loads of beats.

Catch Me If You Can: A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.
Genre of the film - Crime/Drama/Biography
Release Date - 31 January 2003
Tagline - Catch them this christmas.

When analysising the title sequence of the 2002 film, 'Catch Me If You Can' the audience are able to realise that it is an all animated title sequence. The music throughout the title sequence is the sound of a harp playing, which connotes the idea of peace. However, when the harp music becomes faster and more up beat, it connotes the idea of something being fast or in a rush, showing that this film may be about someone that has to be shy but quick at the job, maybe a spy or secret agent.

The title sequence also begins with an animation of people walking with a briefcase in their hands and airplaines in the sky. This could connote that these people could be important or have a high paid job, and showing that they are at an airport. The graphic image has three colours used in the first shot, blue, white and black. This may connote the idea of being calm and laid back, when using the blue colour. The names of people included in the production of the film are also consist of these colours, as the text emerges from the images. The text then changes and forms into another name and image. The images of air hostessesand a sign with a yellow arrow on it, which is a connotation of an airport; showing the idea of travelling. The text then becomes part of the images and changes a male cartoon to someone with a hat on, which could connote the idea that the film is part of changing identity. As the title sequence continues the animations almost confirm to the audience that it is based in an airport due to the use of images such as more airplanes and air hostesses, which could be a connotation to people travelling maybe for leisure or something such as escaping. The character walks up some black steps, running away from someone connoting that this person is running away from someone, maybe becuase they have done something wrong. The title sequence continues with a variety of different animated scenes which connote the idea of running away and different identities throughout the different themes. For example, the scene of a taxi driving through different streets could connote the of running away from something.

Sweeney Todd - Title sequence by Richard Morrison...

Title Sequence finishes at approx 2.20 minutes.



The title sequence begins quite dark, it is set in the evening and the weather is quite bleak and raining, connoting the idea of something quite sinister or maybe evening representing the mood of one of the characters; run down and depressed. Blood then drips onto the window, as if the water turned into blood, giving the audience an idea that the film is quite dark and serious, shows that the film could be the genre of a horror or thriller. The old silhouette of a lady’s face with blood dripping down the outline and then running down the furniture connotes the idea that the film involves death or murder. Then the blood runs down onto a mechanism which makes the cogs turn, and then the blood gets in between the cogs meaning that the blood in making it work. It could be a connotation of the idea that there is a method to the way in which everything is working. The music starts quite slow and quiet, and then speeds up; when the name of the film is shown the music becomes louder and increases in speed. After, the screen turns into a clip which includes a mince maker, which connotes the idea of cooking meat. The meat then turns into more blood, the images movement becomes faster, maybe representing that someone or something is speeding up. Flames are then shown in the title sequence, connoting the thought of something burning or maybe cooking. The shot follows into pies, which the flame is still linked to in the background, representing meat pies cooking; blood is dripping down from the shelf in which the meat pies are positioned on; with the music still increasing even more in speed connoting something is getting faster, someone having to do something in a rush. The furnace in which the meat pies are being cooked in is then shut, the audience are able to see if looking closely that there are handprints on the door made from blood, being a connotation that this film could be to do with murder. Camera shot moves to a long shot image of an underground scene, blood running through the chambers into the sewage system, representing the idea of something needing to be cleaned, maybe showing something needs to be hidden. The music gets faster yet again during this clip, which could connote that the idea of something needing to be cleaned needs to be done fast. Scene then follows the blood running through the water supplies, the setting changes, a ship immerses through the fog and the film begins.

Research into a title sequence designer...

Powerpoint!!

Researching Different Horror Opening Credits...

Stephen King's: 'IT'... (finishes opening titles at 3.18)

In Stephen King's title opening sequence of 'IT', it begins with the music quite eerieand the name of the director is the first thing on the screen, which is shown in black and white font and background, which may show people from first observation that it isn't a childs film. Then this shot emerges into the word 'IT' which is in bold, red letters or death. The music then changes into a piano playing, this may represent the idea that as the music began eerie, to then a piano playing quite peacefully that something is hidden. The names of some of the people involved in the film came into this title sequence. The images are of black and white photographs, which seem to be quite nice urban setting houses. However, the music then changes dramatically and even though the pictures of the nice, urban houses have red corners of each of the photographs, maybe connoting blood (a typical horror film aspect). This continues for a while, panning on each photograph, which carries on introducing the names of others included in the film. Then the camera pans in on a photograph for a longer amount of time, the image begins black and white but then turns into a moving image, which shows to the audience that the film is beginning. The music then changes again, which could connote to the audience that the mood in this scene is about to change. Then the moving image is of a urban street, which then emphaises on a lightning bolt, which connotes the idea of danger. The sound of thunder, and the image of the bad weather may be a connotation to the idea of something being bad or negative in the film, strong wind being shown by the clothes outside on the washing line being blown around and the water moving in the cups; the denotation to this is that the weather is bad, however this may connote that something bad is about to happen because it's a bad day with the weather.

Then a young child singing comes into the scene, riding her bike, she is alone, which creates the idea of something or someone being lonely and vunerable. Before the young girl goes in the house, the sound of someone laughing is added into the title sequence, this connotes that she is no longer alone and someone is watching her. The camera shot pans onto the young girls face which may have been done to capture her expression to whatever is about to happen. The sound of young children playing and laughing is then added, maybe being a connotation that the young girl is no longer alone. Then a clown appears, standing looking through the sheets, showing the audience that he could of being watching the girl for some time. Then the camera slowly pans onto the young girls face, showing her expression change from being 'happy' to 'scared'. When a mother comes out and then realises the child has gone due to the connotation of the bike laying on the floor, showing that the little girl has vanished.

Researching Similar Horror Opening Credits...

- 'The Hostale'

- 'Psycho'

- 'The Exorcist'

- Stephen King films, for example: 'IT'

- 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

- 'Orphanage'

- 'The Ring'

- 'Blair Witch Project'

- 'Paranormal Activity'

Opening credits...

Opening Credits of a Romantic Comedy (take no notice of the different language on the screen).
- Love Actually

The opening sequence of Love Actually introduces the universal theme of the film, love, and not just romantic love but love in all forms. Love between parents and children, love between siblings, love for a partner or love with an old friend. The British accentof the actor Hugh Grant shows that it is a British film. The music is an orchestral string arrangement with a piano accompaniment. It is very evocative of love and romance and sets the tone of the film. The opening sequence of Love Actually successfully uses techniques of camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene to establish the visual style and introduce characters, narrative themes and sub-genre conventions.

Opening Credits...

Comparing opening credits of...
Gangster films - Reservoir Dogs...


The title sequence of the film Reservoir Dogs comes over as being as the genre of gangster. This is because the music is quite layed back and chilled out, comes over as also being America type music. This may show the typical Gangster film as American a quite chilled out and sly. Old car in the back, maybe connoting that it isn't a modern film, maybe set in the 1990's by looking at the car. Group of men walking together in a group with black suits and black glasses, stereotypical Gangster costume.

Opening Credits...

Comparing Opening Credits of...
War film - The Boy In the Stripped Pyjamas. finishes aprox 3.50 of these clip...


In this title sequence of the war film, 'The Boy in The Stripped Pyjamas', it begins with a red background, with some of the actors/actresses names coming up. This red background then turns into a Nazi symbol which connotes the idea of it being a war film. Then the shot changes to children playing outside, but then in the reflection of the puddle in which the little boy steps in, there is the Nazi symbol, this may connote to the audience that the area in which these people are in, are on the side of the Nazi Party. The setting starts outside on the street, then into a house, which is firstly shown with maids laying dinner sets out, maybe connoting that these people are rich. The the clip turns to people being pushed and shoved into army vans; which shows they are being forced out of that area, then the clip goes back to the house and people being happy. This shows that these people are leaving in an area which comes across from the opening titles as being quite restrained in the area.