Film Openings - Genre Specific Analysis

Our chosen genre is Thriller, therefore we chose to analyse the thrillers: 'Arlington Road' and 'The Usual Suspect'

'The Usual Suspect'

The opening title sequence for 'The Usual Suspect' starts with a empty black screen, a few seconds after the non diegetic music starts. The music is slow, eerie orchestral music, straight away we are presented with mystery and darkness. This type of music is typical of genre thriller. The titles slowly fade in , in block capitals and fade out in a light blue they stand out but give a simple bold effect, however the music is the main element that that audience can focus on. By this point the audience can establish that the tone of the film would be very dark and sinister and typically a thriller.

As the titles continue, in the background we see a vile on light reflected on water moving across the screen. As the titles go on; more and more viles of light appear, again moving. This effect could be interpreted as an enigma, the audience do not know what is causing the light, however from the music we automatically assume its something 'evil'. This is the only thing we see in the title sequence, the fact that we only see this effect and darkness; in itself could suggest that the film has a very dark narrative.

Towards the end of the title sequence the time and place of the film is set. This sets the scene and gives the audience an understanding of what is happening at the start of the film.

After the time and place is set, suddenly we see a close up of a bunch of matches being lit. . This effect is sudden and contrasts to the slow, dark sequence beforehand. This could suggest there might be an element of shock and suspense in the film, features typical to a thriller. Also as an audience we associate fire with danger which could further highlight clues on narrative themes set up in this opening. The Diegtic sound of the matches is also used to set the scene, the non diegetic music is faded out. This signifies to the audience that we have started the narrative.

The final shot is a 'reversed match on action shot' we see a medium close up a man lighting a cigarette with the match. The lighting is very dark in this shot, only natural light is used. The opening shot is also set at night, all this is typical to a thriller genre, the audience are brought into a 'spooky'. Diegetic bell chimes are playing in the background, adding a eerie affect to the shot. Consequently, a burning fire sound is also playing and we see vague flames in the background. This could add to the earlier idea of danger.

The character shown is wearing dark clothing, and looks scruffy which could indicate or enforce the common theme of darkness and evil. Typically in thrillers an 'evil' character is often dressed in dark clothing to make them look sinister.

'Arlington Road'

'Arlington Road''s opening titles begin with a man shouting about a young boy as he makes his way down a hospital corridor .He is wearing a blood-stained white shirt and looks distressedbut not dangerous, unlike the stereotypical creepy character you would get in the  opening of a thriller, we are presented with this ordinary looking man, who is showing concern for the boy. There is missing information of how he got blood on his shirt, who is this boy and what exactly happened? This establish's the genre as a thriller. We are left with the man shouting at the nurse, 'I don't know his name!', which then heightens the mystery surrounding this character. This is a prime example of how Barthe uses his clever theor of enigma code. We as the audience, just like the man, want to know his name and his story. 

The titles take a more traditional sinister approach,that you would expect from a thriller film. The white picket-fence is typical to an American Neighbourhood, however it is in harsh - colours black and red, colours we would associate with danger, violence and blood. The camera effects used throughout help to set a mystical mood. Cleverly they have taken everyday neighbourhood objects, and turned them into spooky, unnatural things. These shots again show what would be an ordinary looking neighbourhood, but in black and white ; however the black and white roles have also been reversed, normally with this effect, the sky would be white and the house black, but by turning this on its head, its creates a rather spooky, scary shot. Again making every-day scenes of American life fit within the thriller genre. 

 Shots of children are used repeatedly throughout this opening sequence, suggesting to the audience that young children might  be a theme that occurs within the film. However the young children are not shown in a positive way but instead as dark and creepy. Camera effects enhance this. At one point we are shown close up shots of little girls running looking back at the person holding the camera, and then it cuts to a shot of two empty swings moving, as if someone has just been playing on the swing and then they were taken or snatched. This also used Barthe's theory of engima code, we ask ourselves why is the swing empty? Who are these children? What is there purpose? The empty swing especially re-enforces the idea, that something is lurking, waiting to take 'our' children, the things we hold most precious to us.

 

The scene with the man in the hospital uses both non-diegetic and diegetic music; the non diegetic music of the surrounding hospital makes it more realistic, whereas the rising of tempo in the diegetic music allows tension to build. Non-diegetic music is very stereotypical of 'Thriller' genre films, as it can unnerve the audience and help introduce them to the genre. The diegetic music used for the rest of the sequence is very creepy, unnerving and at times uncomfortable to listen too, the audience can clearly connate that this film isn't going to be a cheerful chick flick, but a sinister and dark film.

The titles are all in black and white, and sometimes, like in this example change from black and white, reflecting perhaps, how quickly people can change from one thing to another, or something not always being as it seems. The simple colouring of the titles doesn't distract from the  background images, however they still make enough impact to be noticed by the viewer. The font is very bold and square, there are no round edges to suggest playfulness, but only the blunt straight lines, conatating harsh elements to the storyline, which we as an audience expect, considering this genre



Genre Moodboard

This is our Genre Moodboard for our chosen genre - a Thriller. The purpose of this moodboard was to inspire us and help us to develop further ideas for our title sequence. We collected images that we typically associate with thrillers.

First Ideas

Our chosen Genre is Thriller, it is for a demographic of 16 to 24 year olds.  The social class we are aiming at is C1, C2, D. Our psychographic group will be main streamers. I am working in a pair with Katherine Parker.

From Concept to Screen - Dexter

The ideas that were used to create Dexter, were based upon presenting everyday things with a sinister importantance. Eric Anderson took the idea of things that we normally see as mundane, and looked into them in detail he then recontentualized them,' to find that they can actually be presented as violent and sinister within themselves.

 The letter forms in DEXTER are not written normally, two of the letters are the wrong way round; however we can still read this. Anderson explored this idea that we can see what it says on the surface but if we flip it around it's as if something is wrong; this has then been reflected in the character of DEXTER because he becomes a serial killer.


These are some of the images used in the final title sequence.  Some of the extreme close up's use a shallow depth of field to clearly show the violent texture of the object or action. Some of these clips were shown in slow motion , again highlighting the violence. 








The original music Eric Anderson chose was an Xploding Plastix track. He thought the track was extremely powerful, fast paced and felt it showed alot of aggression; however the shows creators felt it had to much of a violent feel to it. Instead they wanted to use a more 

Research: Analysis of the Opening of Juno

The mise-en-scene of large houses, and well-kept gardens clearly shows a middle-class neighbourhood in America, and we automatically assume this is where she lives; further connoting that she must be well-brought up. However her clothing is simple, and the use of the bright coloured red jacket ensures she stands out and immediately stays in our head as the central figure.  The runners, dressed in stereotypically American sporting clothes, run past her; she seems oblivious to them, completely caught up in her in own world, not fitting                                                                                                                                                                          in with the others. 

The animation effect and primary colours used, suggests a childish, quirky theme throughout. The sunny D cartoon has a yellow coloured label matching the titles, connoting to the audience that the titles are important, and as a part of the sunny D cartoon is the same colour, this must have great significance in the rest of the film.  Sunny D is a stereotypically a child’s drink, which empathises her age, and innocence.

The use of the flashing title appearing next to the girl, establishes her as the main character, and enhances the audiences understanding of her name. The font that the titles are written in, is similar to those we see in comic books, and in teenage doodles. So as an audience we make this link and suspect that this film is primarily about teenage life.

The non-diegetic music has a folk theme and helps to heighten the audiences understanding of genre and the low key feel of a US independent film.  It has a childish tune and a relaxing film, which empathises her innocence and mundane lifestyle. The lyrics of the song, ‘if i was tree growing tall and green, all i want is you to shade me and be my leaves’, suggest an element of romance in the film.

The leaves falling onto the ground place the film in its season, autumn, and the colours used along with the font suggest an Indie, quirky genre for the film. However we also expect a coming of age, teen-drama genre, as it is a teenager that we are privileged towards.  

Research: Key Conventions

In an opening title sequence to a film, 'key conventions ' are used to help set the scene. They give the audience an idea of predominant themes in the film also it gives us slight insight into the main characters lives. The genre of the film is also established. Typically the name of the production companies is normally shown first, along with the name of the film. For example 'Brick'.

The details of the cast and crew are often shown when the film actually starts, some films may use the actors name along with a sequence of the character they are playing. The writers and directors are normally specifically mentioned. An indication of place of time is also set, this could be enhanced with the music which could also create a specific mood for the narrative. A particularly effective way of getting the viewers interest; is to use an enigma. Enigmas are unanswered questions which intrigue the viewer, which are often then answered later in the film. Many films use this technique, for example 'London to Brighton'. We are drawn into the drama of 'running away' As an audience we don't know who they are running from and why they are going to Brighton. Enigmas also then set up narrative expectations to what might happen in the rest of the film.

                                                                          

Exposition is another technique often used to tell the viewer more about the character and help set the scene. For example in 'Kick Ass' a voice-over is used throughout the title sequence to provide a running commentary on his life, as an audience we are shown that he is a geeky, average and maybe slightly 'lost' teenager who's oblivious to the opposite sex the mise-en-scene also plays an important part in also telling us this, he is dressed in brightly coloured clothing and wears glasses. The tone and genre of this film is obviously a teen comedy. We know this because of the non dietetic up beat and quirky music. Also in the titles, is a animated sequence gliding through clouds like a super hero. This tells us the film has a childish theme to it and even in the opening titles suggests an idea of superheroes.

                                                                           

Main Task

 For our main task of AS media studies, we have to create the first two minutes of a full length feature film, including titles. All our audio and video must be completely original, and produced by ourselves, however if we find music or audio effect that are copyright free that is also expectable to use. Both the preliminary and main task can be created individually or as a group; however there is a maximum of three members to a group. 

Deadlines

Research Deadline: 26/11/2010

Photo-storyboard Deadline: 17/12/2010

Filming Deadline: 15/01/2011

Production Deadline: 31/01/2011

Evaluation Deadline: 11/02/2011