Title sequence analysis
Name of film: _____Sherlock Homes_________________________
1.
State the production and distribution companies.
How are they introduced? What purpose do they serve at the start of a
film?
The Production company is "Silver productions" and "Village roadshow pictures" which is show right at the start of the clip, While the distribution company is "Warner Bro pictures" were they are shown towards the end of the sequence.
They inpose a huge purpose as this reasures the audience that the film is produced by a high end company and there for shall not be boring or not very good, another reason is for recommendation so that other film makers can she the quality of the film and want to go with this company when making their film.
2.List the information that is included in the
title sequence:
Director, screenplay, screen story, producers, creator, executive producers, co-producer, director of photography, production designer, editor, cast members, title, casting by, music producers and music by, costumes designer, visual effects supervisor, Warner brothers pictures presentation, in association with village roadshow pictures, silver pictures production, wigram production, Guy Ritchie film,, are all the credits introduced in the first opening title sequence.
3.Where exactly is the film’s title placed?
Beginning, middle or end of the opening
sequence?
The films title is placed in the middle of the opening sequence this so as the audience get into the film the title will stick in their mind.
Title sequence
analysis
Name of film: _____Juno________________________
1.
State the production and distribution companies.
How are they introduced? What purpose do they serve at the start of a
film?
The production compnay is called "Fox searchlight pictures", and the Distributors are called " A mandate pictures, mr.productions".
Unlike Sherlock Homes these are shown at the beginning of the title sequence, in a pencil sketch font on a white background.
This has been done so that it is the first thing the audience see, so that it increases it publicity.
2.
List the information that is included in the title
sequence:
Fox searchlight, mandate pictures & Mr. Mudd
productions, Jason Reitman film, Juno, Cast members, casting by, costume
designer, music and songs by, music supervisors, co producers, film editors,
production designer, director of photography, exec producers, producers, written
by,
director. These are everything that is included in the title sequence.
3.
Where exactly is the film’s title placed?
Beginning, middle or end of the opening
sequence?
The films title is placed at the beginning of the sequence in big bold orange font.
4.Timeline- enter the start and end times of the opening sequence at each end of the line and plot the sequence along the line?
( Thriller title sequence )
( VERTIGO )
(1.) Who is being represented in the opening scene? How are they rerpesented? Is this positive or negatvie?
A young female is being represented in the opening scene, by showing extreme close-ups of her facial features. She is portrayed as serious from no movement or expression from her face also with the red connation perahaps symbolising change - Danger.
This is negative as it only focuses on her lips and eyes and not other aspects.
( 2.)What do the titles for each opening look like? Do they symbolise the thriller genre?
The opening titles are in plain white bold font (Capital letters)see through at start so you still can see the face of the woman however changes to solid white symbolising the thriller genre as they co-side with the non-diegtic sound, also white writing against a black background represent the mood of mystery and suspense.
The spirals are creepy and strange representing "Alfred Hitchcock" as he was famous for using spirals in his work.
( 3.)Analyse the camera,sound,editing and mise-en-scene. How do these technical areas make you aware that this is the thriller genre?
In vertigo the there is alot of extreme close-ups, to begin with of the face, then of one eye showing you right in so you see extreme detail. Also zoom-ins begining you in closure increasing the tension.
Non-diegetic sound in the background - very erie and high pitched again creating suspense.
fade-in and fade-outs create anticipation, as the audience are unaware of what to expect. Also freeze-frames capturing the moment and focusing on the single individual.
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(4.) Does the narrative in the
opening correspond to the conventions of a thriller film? How?
Yes is does, due to only seeing certain part of the womans face creates a sense of anticipation for the audience, leading them to mystery as they are unaware of what still is to happen.
Yes is does, due to only seeing certain part of the womans face creates a sense of anticipation for the audience, leading them to mystery as they are unaware of what still is to happen.
The spirals symbolize confusion and disorentation which creates an enigma for the audience which links back to the Thriller genre.
(5.) Which production company was the film made by? How might this affect the film content?
Vertigo was produced by "Paramount" film company. This may affect the film content as this company is part of the "Big 6" main congloroments which dominate the film company, this could also help as it is a well production company meaning that audiences worldwide will be able to recognise the logo and influence then to go see the film bringing in more money for the film.
(6.) What do you think might
happen in the rest of the film? Give a brief suggestion of the
narrative.
I believe that perhaps the female in the opening my be the protagonist as she gave suttle hints as she looked right to left maybe because she is hidding from some-one? or is some-one out to get her? i suspect that all as the name is "Vertigo" i assume it has a lot to do with heights and fears, so possibly it could be people trying to over come there fears but may face dangerous incounters on the way.
( JAWS )
(1.) Who is being represented in the opening scene? How are they rerpesented? Is this positive or negatvie?
To start with are group of young people is being represented in the opening scene, by showing them smoking, drinking, kissing usually assosicated with the younger generationextreme using a long shot take viewing all around a camp fire. The are portrayed as the sterotypical teenager, messing about, irresponsible ect.
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( 2.)What do the titles for each opening look like? Do they symbolise the thriller genre?
The opening titles to start with are white bold block capitals on a black-background again connating with the mystery theme. The Title "JAWS" is also in white capitals however the font has a most animalistic features as the title looks a little like a shark with the sharpe edges. The titles then change again still white capitals except this time a little smaller and with a background of moving water, to give us a feel through the sharks eyes as if we were the shark moving through the ocean floor.
At the start of the opening there is a point of view shot from the sharks perspective which is to bringing in a sense of realisation, and involving the audiences into the scene.
Then the camera is panning/tracking as it moves through the ocean bed as if it were the shark, this is then followed by another panning shot of the young people around then camp fire then a establishing shot. Shot reverse Shot is used alot in this scene showing the characters relationships and conversations.
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The famous "Jaws" theme tune is lightly playing in the background, this increases in pitch and tone as the camera speadys up movement.
The editing transitions are slow and non existant at the start as it is a long take, however the cuts become more up beat when the narrative begins following. The mise-en-scene to start with so the under water scenery perfect for this shot as the setting is in the ocean floor. This then changes when we see the young person around the fire as the setting changes so does the props,costume and lighting to low key.
(4.) Does the narrative in the opening correspond to the conventions of a thriller film? How?
Yes it does, for example in the beginning shot of the point of view of the shark's journey is building up tention a typical Thriller expectation, we do not she the shark at the start so the audience is oblivous to whom or what it is adding to the high level of anticipantion, also as the music increases so does the audience impressions as it increases the suspense of what is going to happen.
(5.) Which production company was the film made by? How might this affect the film content?
Universal Pictures is the company that have produced this film, this may affect the overall film content as it is a well know film company it may persuade more audiences to come a watch the film, however this could create a very high standard for the company that this film may not be able to live up to.
(6.) What do you think might happen in the rest of the film? Give a brief suggestion of the narrative.
I think that as there is a shark and that the girl in the start got eatten by the shark i assume that this film will be about the shark eatting people and then some-one having the job of defeating the shark and eventually attempting to destroy/kill the shark.
(History of Thriller Films.)
"Thriller" is a very broad genre of literature, film and television programming that involves suspense, tension and excitement as its main elements.
Thrillers stimulate the brain determining the mood of the audience giving them a high anticipation, expectation and terror.
A geniune Thriller is a film that rentlessly pursues a single-minded goal - to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax.
Tension : Usually arises when the main character(s) is placed in a menacing situation or escape, or mystery or dangerous mission from which escape seems impossible. Life itself is threatened, usually because the principal character is unsuspecting or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation.
Plots: Of thrillers involve characters which come into conflict with each other or with outside forces - the menace is sometimes abstract or shadowy.
Thriller films are usually hybrids meaning that they often have a range of suspense-thrillers.
- action- or adventure- thrillers
- sci-fi thrillers (such as Alien (1979))
- crime-caper thrillers (such as The French Connection (1971))
- western-thrillers (such as
High Noon (1952))
- film-noir thrillers (such as Double Indemnity (1944))
- even romantic comedy-thrillers (such as Safety Last (1923))
High Noon (1952)) Double Indemnity (1944))Characters: in thrillers include a variety such as...
- convicts,
- criminals,
- stalkers,
- down-on-their-luck losers, i
- nnocent victims (often on the run),
- prison inmates,
- menaced women,
- characters with dark pasts,
- psychotic individuals,
- terrorists,
( and many more...)
The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.
Early years:
One of the earliest 'thrillers' was Harold Lloyd's comic Safety Last (1923), The haunting and chilling German film M (1931) directed by the great Fritz Lang, based on the real life story of serial killer Peter Kurten (known as the 'Vampire of Dusseldorf'). Edward Sutherland's crime/horror thriller Murders in the Zoo (1933) from Paramount. The Cat and the Canary (1927), director Rouben Mamoulian's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) with Fredric March, and The Bat Whispers (1930)
Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense Thrillers
English film-maker/director Alfred Hitchcock. helped shape the modern-day thriller genre, beginning with his early silent film The Lodger (1926), a suspenseful Jack-the-Ripper story, followed by his next thriller Blackmail (1929), his first sound film (but also released in a silent version).
Alfred Hitchcock is considered the acknowledged auteur master of the thriller or suspense genre, manipulating his audience's fears and desires, and taking viewers into a state of association with the representation of reality facing the character.
Often he would include a taboo or sexually-related theme into his thrillers, such as the latent homosexuality in Strangers on a Train (1951), or the twisted Oedipus complex in Psycho (1960).
SHORT TIMELINE OF SUCESSFUL THRILLERS THROUGH THE YEARS:
1911- What women Suffer (Silent movie, Australian movie.)
1915- After Five (Silent Black & White American film.)
1921- The cabinet of Dr.Caligari(Silent Black & White tinted film.)
1923- Safety Last!
1940- Rebecca.
1944- Double Indemnity.
1946- Notorious.
1949- The Thrid man.
1950- Panic in the streets.
1960- Psycho.
1972- Touch of evil.
1974- Chinatown. 1972- The Godfather.
1975- Jaws.1976- Taxi driver.
1986- Aliens.
1988- Pushpak.
1991- The Silence of the Lambs.
1992- Reservoir Dogs.
1997- L.A Confidential.
1999- Fight Club.
2006- The Lives of others.
(Conventions of "Diaster Thriller" powerpoint)
(Thrillers Questionnaire)
1. What gender are you?
Male Female
2. What is your age?
15-25 26-36 37 – 47 48-58 59+
3. Have you ever watched a thriller film?
Yes No
4. How would you describe a thriller?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What is you expect from a thriller film?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Which sub-genre of thriller films to you prefer to watch?
Conspiracy Physiological Spy
Disaster Crime Political
Other
7. How many thriller films have you watched in the last week?
0-5 10-15 20-25
5-10 15-20 Other
(Audience Response )
After recieving back our responadants feedback, overall we found out that there was a particular pattern between the amount of 13-25 year olds who enjoyed watching Thrillers. However These results also should that a larger percentage of 26-35 and 36-45 year old were not so keen on the genre, and 46-50 year old never watched this type of genre.
Although the majority filling out or questionnaire were male, the results still came out reasonably balanced.
Most people explained that they much more enjoyed the Psycological aspect of Thrillers as he gave them a sense of excitment unaware of what to expect. also they said that they liked the mind games the psycological thrillers role plays in building up suspense.
Our film will be produced for audiences ranging from 15 and above. This is because we plan to use mild vioence & minial strong langauge inapporiate for persons younger than 15. It will also be a psycological Thriller as this seemed most popular with our peer group research. This will consist of unexplained twists, unexpected murders and suspense thoughout.
Furthering our research we looked a films such as "Phonebooth"- which was also 15 , this showed us that the audience watching this film liked the twists and concept, so we wished to incorporate this stratergy into our production. Looking into the audience demographic, 15- 35 years were the target for this psychological thriller film.
Other films such as "Drag me to Hell" also influenced our chose as we quite like the idea of "voodoo" although this film is a horror is still had some ~Thriller aspect present.
(Iconic Thriller Directors)
Alfred Hitchcock:
Name: Alfred Hitchcock
Born: 13th August 1899
Died: 29 April 1980
Biography:
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most successful British film directors in history. He also was a producer to the majority of his films and played a short cameo appearance in each. He pioneered a variety of techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After his career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1956 and became an American citizen while still remaining a British subject. Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in his career of six decades.
Steven Spielberg:
Name: Steven Allan Spielberg
Born: 18 December 1946 Biography:
Biography;
Steven Spielberg is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. His career has progressed for more than four decades, with films that have covered a many different genres.
He's early sci-fi and adventure films were seen as archetypes of modern Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking. In later years, his films began addressing such issues as the Holocaust, slavery, war and terrorism. He is considered one of the most popular and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. He is also one of the co-founders of DreamWorks movie studio
Quentin tarantino:
Name: Quentin Jerome Tarantino
Born: 27 March 1963
Biography:
Quentin is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor.
He started his career in the eary 1990's as an independant filmaker, employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence.
He has produced films such as Reservoir Dogs in 1992, Pulp Fiction in 1994, Jackie Brown in 1997, Kill Bill in 2003 & 2004 and many more.
His success has meant he has gone onto win a Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, Palme d'Or and also Emmy and Grammy nominantions.
His movies generally characterized by stylistic influences from grindhouse, kung fu and spaghetti western.
He often collaborates with fellow filmakers such as Robert Rodrigues also a friend of his.
(DVD Analysis.)
( Font Analysis )
(Conventions of Thriller genre.)
What is a Thriller?
Thriller is a genre of film that uses suspense, tension and excitment as it main elements. There are also sub-genres which conbine two genres of film together such as...
- Crime, Mystery and Psycological.
Titles:
Before a Thriller is about to begin usually at the beginning the "opening scene" seem to have the credits rolling with non-digestic music playing in the background to set the scene and mood of the audience helping draw in the viewers. It is very common for most Thriller films to start with a short clip, sometimes foreshadowing events about to unvale in the film. Another common convention is that of the important film companies, actors and some times directors are shown first in the credits. 
Camera Movement:Panning and tracking are the most common camera movements used, usually following a group at the start of the opening.
Framing Shot:
The most typical camera shot is the close-up, as it shows to the audience the characters true deep emotions, connecting them to the film. to build up a sense of mystery & suspense at the beginning.
Long shots or establishing shots are also very commonly used to show the audience the locaation of the up coming events, and set the scene.
Long shots or establishing shots are also very commonly used to show the audience the locaation of the up coming events, and set the scene.
Camera Angles:low levels & high levels are used often as a way of showing the audience who in the scene has the power & control.
Mise-en-scene:
Lighting is the most important key aspect of a Thriller, as well as weather ( Pathetic fallacy ) - setting the mood & tone of the scene.
Editing:
Jump cuts are most frequant, showing the multiple unawared things happening, it is a way of playing with the viewers mind, adding to the climax of the film.
Sound:
Non-digestic sound creates a sound bridge creating a tense atmosphere, dialogue is used to show the characters motives, thoughts and relationships with other characters in the production.Silence is a form of thought provoking for the audience again building to the tense sense.
( Popular themes )
- Complex narrative structure.
- Narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the audience expects to be resolved.
- Unexplainable happening events in normal situations.
- Identity themes
- Protagonist with a situation which is revealed by the antagonist.
- Opening scene placing protagonist in a dangerous position.
- A crime at the core of the narrative e.g murder.
- a protagonist which is drawn into a sticky situation by the antagonist.
(Collage of iconography associated with
the Thriller genre.)
These images all reprsent the iconograpghy of the thriller genre. showing all the themes assiocated with Thriller such as crime & death for example. The darker images 'shadowed' shows thrillers as being mysterious and secretive, not showing you everything only showng you what they want you to see creating the feel or anticipation, meaning that the idenity is to be left unmasked, so that when it is to be revealed it is more unexpected and thrilling. The images of knifes and guns show thrillers as usually involving alot of violent scenes and action scenes.
the silhouette of the man with a question mark in his head shows us that alot of Thrillers leave the thought in your mind and leaves an audiences questioning what they have just witnessed aswell as playing games with your mind. The use of blood in some of these images again shows evidence that death and murder is a popular theme present in many Thriller films, adding to the build up, and creating a sense of sympathy from the audience.
(Typical Thriller Synopsis)
Thriller films range in different emotions an audience memeber can feel when watching a thriller for example fear or sadness.
Examples of different types of Thrillers
Examples of different types of Thrillers
- Horror thriller
- Erotic thriller
- Psychological thriller
- Spy thriller
- Western thriller to help him.
- Action thriller
- Romance thriller.
Crime Thriller:
This type of synopsis is the most common type used often in films it looks at two different perspectives mainly that of the criminal or police. It focuses on already committed crimes or those about to be
committed, emphasizing the action point rather than the psychological aspect.
Main themes:committed, emphasizing the action point rather than the psychological aspect.
Serial killers
Murderers
Robbers/Robberies
Thrillers such as....
SinCity ( 2005- FrankMiller, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino )
Reservoir Dogs (1992 -QuentinTarantino )
Pulp Fiction (1994 -QuentinTarantino )
Se7en (1995 -DavidFincher )
Oceans eleven (2001 -Steven)Soderbergh )
( These Films and many more are all examples
of "Crime Thrillers".)
( Still image )
( Nine Frame Structure Analysis )
In this first frame we see a person turning a pages in a book, the lighting is very dull and mysterious adding suspense to the upcoming events.
In this second frame we can see some deformed hands, this could be suggesting that this is perhaps an unusal and strange film.
In this third frame a person is peeling their skin, this could connate identity as the person could be removing their finger prints adding a essense of suspion to the thriller, it makes the audience feel uneased creating again a feel of discomfort. Also adding confusion to the audience of what is going on.
In this fourth image the person is writting at a rappid pace, this could be representing the film as having a variety of different plots or ennigmas, this is also very fast which could be immitating death flashing before their eyes.
In this fifth showing a persons hand shadow is creating a strong negative enigma that perhaps the plot of the narrative shall not be revealled until the audience least expect it.
The sixth image is of someone wiping away a word, could this be symbolising a cover up of some sort is the person hidding something from the audience.
This seventh frame shows a contrast of colours on being red connatating danger and blood, and a the person is dipping a image into the red water perhaps this could be foreshadowing a death of the person in the image.
In this eighth frame the person is only covering the persons blinded by the reality of the situation, or have they seen something they shouldnt off.
The last frame in a graphic image of a mans head which looks to have been brutal injured or maybe even killed this shows that the film has violence and inapporiate images for younger people.
Certificate Ratings:
What is the BBFC?
The British Board of Film Classification is an independant , non-governmental body, set up by the film industry in 1912, which classifies films, videos, DVDs and some digital works (e.g Computer games.)
Adverts and Cinema trailers are also classified by the board.
"PG" stands for "Parental Guidance" meaning that the particular film is general viewing, however some scenes may be unsuitable for young children unaccompanied by an adult. From the age of 8 and over is the recommended age for children not supervised by an adult.
12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating.Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence.
"12A" films are meant to be unsuitable for young people those of 12 and under, unless accompanied by a adult over the age of 18.
"12A" films are meant to be unsuitable for young people those of 12 and under, unless accompanied by a adult over the age of 18.
Only those over 15 years are admitted.Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong language and one use of very strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and undetailed sex activity.
Only adults are admitted.Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.
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( Thriller Documentary )
This is a documentary that i looked up on youtube that gives me the right information about Thriller genre, this was very useful i found when researching about Thrillers.
( Audience Expectaions )
The expectations of the audience vary depending on the person, however overall they mostly want to see some level or excitement, suspense, tension build up, death, and some twisted plots to help interact with them.
Many said that they prefer it when the narrative leaves you questionning or suprised with what has just happened.
He is a short clip of members of the public identifing main aspects they wish to see when watching a thriller.
Camera shots, Angles & Movements
Establishing shot:
Often outside, that indicates where the action will take place.
Birds eye view:
This shot is taken high up as though from the angle of a bird.
Tracking shot:
Also known as a dolly shot This is when the camera steadily travels along a straight plane to the content being filmed
Low angle shot:
This is when the shot is taken below the subject.
High angle shot;
This is the opposite to above, were the camera shot is taken above the subject.
Close-up:
In a close-up shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face.
Panning Shot:
This shot is when the camera is rotated and moved while shooting a specific scene.
Medium Shot:
A mid shot is shot from a medium distance.
Medium shots are relatively good in showing facial
expressions but work well to show body language.
180 Degree Rule:
Low angle shot:
This is when the shot is taken below the subject.
High angle shot;
This is the opposite to above, were the camera shot is taken above the subject.
Close-up:
In a close-up shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face.
Panning Shot:
This shot is when the camera is rotated and moved while shooting a specific scene.
Medium Shot:
A mid shot is shot from a medium distance.
Medium shots are relatively good in showing facial
expressions but work well to show body language.
180 Degree Rule:
This is the rule that two characters in a scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the rule is not followed this intentionally confusses the audience, and disrupts the scene.
Mise en scene:
Mise-en-scene is the way everything within a scene is positioned to describe its own meanings e.g props, characters, costume ect.
Long shot:
A long shot shows the entire object or
human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to it's surroundings. This is also called an 'establishing shot'. Another name for this is a 'full shot'.
Over the shoulder shot:
The over-shoulder shot shows the subject from behind the shoulder of another person.
Extreme long shot:
An extreme long shot is usually outside, however can be inside this shot is were the camera is at a far distance from the subject or object it is focusing on. 
Extreme close-up:
This is used when something important happens in a scene that needs to be highlighted to the audience.
Crane :
This is a shot were the camera is positioned on a crane, so it can reach unable positions.
Point of view shot:
This is the shot that shows the audience a scene or object from the subjects perspective. e.g looking out of a window.
( Existing Film company )
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs.
It was Once the largest and most glamorous film studios, MGM was founded in 1924 by Marcus Loew who gained it control, MGM is located in Beverly Hills, California.
