Analysis of opening title sequences

To enhance my knowledge of the conventions of opening title sequences I de constructed a sample of different sequences including amateur attempts which allowed me to see what is going to be possible for my own project. One of the most apparent things I obtained from doing this is what a suitable OTS is precisely what is needed to make it engaging and meet the requirements which credit individuals who were involved. Additionally I think this activity exposed me to a wide range of techniques to present titles which has inspired me to begin thinking and evaluating how to present the titles in my own opening title sequence.

"Two detectives, a rookie and veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi"

Film/TV programme title	SEVEN
Date Of Release	1995
CONVENTIONS Form/ length/structure/media type	The form of the opening title sequence seems to be quite overt.  It follows a reasonably simple pattern which includes showing an action and then associating it with a credit which is shown on a black background. For example the fingering of the razor blade and Morgan freeman's name. The length of the title sequence is 02:08 and this allows all of the required credits to be awarded in an inventive and engaging way. The opening title sequence is in the form of live action yet I believe some post production effects were added to give it a unsettling style and interest the audience .
CODES Outline the style/content and scheduling of titles/credits	The integrity of the sequence is presented in a way which appears gGothic with a few aspects of mise-en scene which bring it into modern-day. The use of photos and close ups of unpleasant fingertips projects onto the audience a feeling which makes them uncomfortable or digusted. Paralleling with the short gestures and movements of the subject within the film, titles have been edited in which appear onto black which support the Gothic/horror theme of the title sequence.
INDUSTRY/INSTITUTION Studio information Production Info	The majority of the screenplay of the film came from Andrew Kevin Walker who lived in New York at the time of production. The film itself was created and distributed by New Line Cinema, an American film studio which was founded by Robert Shaye in 1967 and merged into Warner Bros. The studio is based in Los Angeles, California. The Film  had a budget of $33 million for production.
NARRATIVE DEVICES Exposition of narrative/characters	The opening title sequence exposes the main character very early on through close ups of his actions. Using this method the creators prevent the majority of the character from being prevailed that therefore generates mystery and suspense. Even though key plot points are not shown in the opening title sequence the style gives impressions to the audience which  presents the plot as something which includes horror or thriller elements.
NARRATIVE DEVICES Creating a hook/ developing tension or suspense	With the use of limited acting in the sequence it creates a defined enigma. The audience would begin asking questions concerning the figure featured and why he is doing the actions he is performing. The numerous props used in the film generates suspense and tension as the intention of the person in the sequence is unclear however it does suggest that this person in not completely sane.
REPRESENTATION Character types  and introduction/reference to characters	Even though not a lot of information is projected onto the audience from the opening title sequence the use of mise-en-scene introduces the character present and stereotypes them into a well known category. The props the character holds gives the impression that he has no regard for his own safety. In particular when the figure rotates razor blades through his finger tips it reinforces the idea that this person is a psychotic killer or madman.
FORM Structure of transition from OST to main film	Towards the end of the OST the piece of film uses amplified bars of music as a signifier for the end of the opening title sequence. Additionally the frames become a lot more separated and seem to flicker. This was used to form a transition and works very well due to how it flows into the actual film. The flickering in particular removes the barrior between sequence and film reinforcing the idea that the unsettling events in the title sequence are happening in the world featured in the film
GENRE/ AUDIENCE What generic pleasures are met.	The nature of the opening title sequence does please a considerable amount of audience pleasures regardless of its unsettling theme. Horror and thriller fans would be very interested as it meets the generic pleasures which are attached to such genre. The unsettling nature would appeal to horror fans as it meets conventions which are typically found in the highlighted genre and thriller fans would be engaged as it gives the impression that the police may e involved.
GENRE/AUDIENCE Introducing style and genre	The use of the minimal acting and whole body shots presents a more "art house" feel to the opening title sequence as it does not conform to generic  conventions. However the lighting used, especially hard light, gives the impression of a neo-noir film.

Below is a screenshot providing evidence of the kind of imagery the opening title sequence. The close up of the fingertips really exaggerates the unsettling feeling the audience would feel due to the tone. Along side this the blade adds to the predictions of the audience that the man involved is not sane and is the antagonist who features in the film.

This particular screenshot takes a large role in the process of introducing the character or killer. The fact that he is disfiguring money gives the impression that he may be wealthy or simply disregards what others value. This adds to the mental image or profile which begins to generate of the killer in the audiences head. Additionally the particular word which is getting cut out could be linked to the subjects mentality as it could represent the his/she's mentality. This in particular element of the opening title sequence I like and I would like to use the concept of complex imagery in my own film. I believe that it allows the film to have a strong sense of ambiguity which in some cases makes the viewing more pleasurable.

The Walking Dead tells the story of the weeks and months that follow after the apocalypse"

Film/Tv programme title	WALKING DEAD
Date Of Release	13 October 2013
CONVENTIONS Form/ length/structure/media type	The structure of the opening title sequence is conforms with a lot of the general conventions of the media type. However the walking dead sequence heavily relies on imagery to present the various titles. It follows a pattern of showing a piece of film and then a title super imposed on top. An example of this can be found at 0:16 when a grave stone is visible. The actresses name which is visible plays a character who kills a considerable amount of zombies and therefore the title and image are connected. The length of the title sequence is 00:40 and is particularly short compared to other OTS due to the fact that the Walking Dead is a television show and has to short to engage the audience episode after episode. Also it could be said that the cold open before the sequence is already quite long and a further length of titles may put off a audience. The media type of the opening title sequence is live action however is has been heavily edited upon in post production and could be mistaken for CGI.
CODES Outline the style/content and scheduling of titles/credits	The style of the opening title sequence focuses on the theme of abandonment and horror. The continual use of abandoned building in frame really builds upon the idea of isolation and separation. The titles themselves in the sequence have been organised in a particular way. After the production company has been shown the titles are ordered in terms of the importance of their character in the series. Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes, is displayed first as Rick is the main character in the show.
INDUSTRY/INSTITUTION Studio information Production Info	The Walking Dead has a very large amount of production companies working together on the show. These include the internationally famous company AMC Studios. Headquartered in New York City, they are responsible of many very popular series such as Breaking Bad and of course Walking Dead. The company emerged from a series of separations and stock sales of Rainbow, a company set up in 1980. The show has team of writers and a very large cinematography team which is necessary of a show of such popularity as the Walking Dead due to the huge audience and expectation.
NARRATIVE DEVICES Exposition of narrative/characters	Other than an extreme close up of a eye the sequence does not contain actors. Even though this is the case the characters of the show are still exposed through imagery. When the actor, who plays Rick Grimes,  name is visible so is a sheriff badge which is a key piece of iconography for Rick. However the fact that the sequence is from season three of the programme the creators are presuming that the audience are fairly familiar with the characters.
NARRATIVE DEVICES Creating a hook/ developing tension or suspense	The opening title sequence creates a lot of enigmas due to the placements of the props used. The fact that most of them look discarded and dropped gives the impression that whoever misplaces them did so in a hurry and zombies could have been involved. Furthermore the music used creates alot of tension as it is quite slow and strings are used to give it a unsettling tone.
REPRESENTATION Character types  and introduction/reference to characters	Even though the OTS is not explicit when giving information about the characters the props and locations allow the audience to classify the different character types. One of the most overt is the arrows sticking into a tree. This reinforces the stereotype of the archer and the shadows underneath the door could be the antihero.
FORM Structure of transition from OST to main film	After all of the titles have been displayed the OST transitions into a frame with the show's title on. After this the episode starts, continuing on after the cold open. Furthermore s flickering transition is used between the titles and the final title frame.
GENRE/ AUDIENCE What generic pleasures are met.	As the target audience is aimed at people who follow the show the amount of pleasures and what they are, are tailored at them. The references to the characters would be highly appealing as they know the individuals already and seeing key pieces of iconography is enough to engage them. However there are another generic pleasures which are met through the suspense of the sequence. Along with the music the shots all leave the audience guessing what happened and why for example is there saw in that particular place.
GENRE/AUDIENCE Introducing style and genre	The use of mise-en-scene during the opening title sequence is a very overt signifier of the genre of the show. The use of weapons gives the impression of violence or action. The location and the centipede suggests horror. The fact that a lot of the scenes have a small of light acts a s evidence to support the horror genre.

Below is a key piece of iconography which features in the opening title sequence. The use of imagery as a whole is very effective and this clock is one my own personal favourites. As The actor's name appears during the frame it physically connects the two subjects in the picture. The clock represents the passing of time in the show and how anyone of the characters could die at any moment with the exception of Rick Grimes.