Se7en Opening Title Sequence essay

A title sequence is the first thing the audience sees when the film starts, so it is very important that it gives a good impression. Throughout the entire sequence the colour remains dark we can only interpret as it having some relation to the forth coming events that are to take place later on in the film.

The first shot is of Somerset’s kitchen, however this kitchen looks very sparse and doesn’t look like it’s been lived in. This gives us an idea of Somerset’s lifestyle that he doesn’t do much in his house, to him it’s just somewhere to stay not live. The whole lighting in the room is dim the only light in this shot is the one streaming in from the curtain this suggests the world outside the curtain is impinging on his private life. The chess board suggests that Somerset is a strategic man and he likes to set himself challenges and this could also be the case in his workplace. The order and way he gets dressed connotes he is very organised. He picks up his badge, wallet and pen knife all in a chronological order. His routine and particular way he does these things suggests it’s an everyday thing this is how he might get ready everyday. The fact that is very particular about everything shows when he notices a spec of fluff on his blazer. This also suggests something about his job that he notices every detail and nothing can get past him.

In the next shot detective Mills is introduced and he comes across as an opposite to Somerset through his body language. He is wearing a silly basketball tie which suggests he doesn’t take as much time to plan and carefully think about his clothes like Somerset. He is wearing an unironed shirt which again suggests he is trying to portray himself in a carefree way. Somerset is presented as an intelligent and serious character through his hat, glasses and his coat. He is wearing the typical detective style coat (beige in colour and almost ankle length). The crime scene is something that most of the detectives see everyday so it doesn’t comes a s a surprise to them. The diegetic sound of the sirens gives a miserable atmosphere and also the rain creates a dark and gloomy atmosphere. The next shot show Mills and Somerset exchanging words. The two men are shown to be fighting for dominance and hierarchy in their relationship as a still shot shows one detective taking up more space of the frame. The performance of detective Mills shows that he is distressed as he rubs his hands over his head repeatedly however in contrast Somerset is relaxed, calm and collected.

The next scene is of Somerset’s room and again it’s dark suggesting misery and depression partly because he is alone in his bedroom again he doesn’t have partner or a wife. The sound of the metronome ticking suggests he is trying to enhance the sound in the room to stop him from thinking of his loneliness. Also, he might be trying to distract the sound coming in from outside impinging on his life again. The close-up of the person fingers males an audience feel uncomfortable and also gives a sense of tension as the audience would want to know who it is. The pieces of paper and drawn on paper suggests that this person is collecting evidence or facts for his next victim as he’s highlighted things on the paper in black. The black colour also suggests darkness and danger. The colours red and black suggests blood and danger and a person hand has been highlighted in the colour red. The cutting out of the word ‘God’ from the money suggest shows the person may have a religious belief. Also the cutting out of ‘God’ might suggest this person is trying to blame God for all his crimes.

Analysis on opening title sequence

This is a romantic comedy titled Sliding Doors. It was made in the year 1998 and distributed by Miramax Films and Paramount Pictures. The title sequnce begins with an upbeat music which automatically sets a pace for the title sequence and it also suggests that is a romantic comedy film because that is a code&convention of a rom-com. It also begins with an establishing shot of the setting of the film which is in the city. That is also another code&convention of a rom-com to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and use big cities. The next shot is of a woman spilling tea on a book this suggests that she is a working woman who perhaps is late for work because she doesn't even have time to drink her tea. The next shot introduces the two main characters which suggests this are the two main characters in the film which is also a code&convention of a rom-com. The next shot is also shows the woman coming hurriedly of a train station which firstly confirms that the setting is in a big city which is London. It also connotes that she is in a hurry for work. The next shot of her receiving breakfast from the shop worker suggests that it is a daily routine that she does because she gets her breakfast on the go. Also, it suggests that she doesn't have anything in her life prepared as she is late for work she also has to grab a quick breakfast. The next shot of her is also establishes her place of work which is an oofice that is also a code&convention of a rom-com film.

Homework: Analysis on opening title sequences

This is a romantic comedy titled Over Her Dead Body. It was made in year 2008 and distributed by New Line Cinemas and Gold Circle Films. The title sequence begins with the camera tracking through pictures, notes and wedding invitations. The pictures are of two people(male and female) so it gives us an idea as maybe those are the two main characters. This is part of the codes&conventions of a rom-com as it introduces the characters. The pictures of the two people show them looking very happy together and because there are lots of pictures of them in different places we know that they have shared a memory. The camera does a close-up of the invitation and from this we it gives us an idea that the invitation may be for this couples' wedding. The introduction of the two characters names also makes it certain that those are the two main characters in this film this is also a code&convention of a rom-com. The arrangement of the cutlery and plates also suggests that one of the characters may be very organised in their life as they are laid very neatly one by one. Also the way the title of the film is shown over the plate ties in with the title 'over her dead body'. The laying out of the cutleries,name cards and plates are again all done very neatly and organised also, all the colours used in decorating are all white this suggests an angelic nature because of the colour white and again it ties in with the name of the film, when people die angels come to get them . The swans on the plate also connote people or things moving on again it is linked with the title of the film and when people die things move on.




This is another example of a Romantic Comedy titled My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It was made in the year 2002 and was distributed by IFC films and Gold Circle Films. The title sequence begins with the camera tracking through the city of Chicago in the night. The brightness and grandness of the city of one of the codes&conventions of a title sequence to have a setting in a big city so the characters struggle to find each other in a big city also the idea that romance always happens in big, bright cities. The voice-over given by the female character is also a code&convention of a rom-com. The voice-over also suggests a stereotypical gender role for Greek women which is also a code&convention of a rom-com. The typography of the title has traditional Greek typography which suggests to us that the female and her family are Greek. The order in which the typography comes on screen shows that this isn't normal wedding the words 'Big,Fat,Greek' emphasise the fact that the film may be about an extravagant traditional Greek wedding. The appearance of the female character is not the normal appearance of a female protagonist in a rom-com which suggests that the plot of the film may be about her trying to attract a man that is not on the same level of appearance as her. This is another code&convention of a rom-com.

Production Brief: Love on the Line

Production Brief: To create the titles and opening of a new fiction film.

The name of our film is Love on the Line.

The length of the opening sequence will be approximately 1min 30secs-2mins.

The plot of the film is basically about a male who is love with a female that he works with at the same company however, the female is completely oblivious to this partly because she currently goes out with the office 'stud' that everyone envies until one day these two meet at the train station because they've missed their train to work. The main male character tries his best to expose the office 'stud' for the cheat that he is and to get together with the female character.

The members of our group is Banke Adebola, Sybill Scott, Zoe Haines and Laura Heath. Banke is in charge of stage directing, Sybill is the director of the opening sequence, Laura is in charge of editing and Zoe is in charge of storyboard and props.

The Purpose of our video is to entertain our target audience with humour, romance and originality which is centred round a relationship and unfolding events. The target audience of this production is 15-35 years old, since our rating is a 15, due to the humour in the film.

The target audience will be attracted to this production as the audience can relate themselves to the situation in the film, which in our case and office romance where the female protagonist wants is currently with the office 'stud' the antagonist.

I have researched similar opening sequences to romantic comedy films.

To test if our title sequence has been successful we will show our peers who watch rom-coms to get advice on how it was and how to improve it.

Generic codes that will be operating in our title sequence will be fast and upbeat music, the introduction f the two main characters, a female and male protagonist.

Time, money and specific setting will be the only constraints that will affect our production.

In the ideal situation the film would be released in all cinemas and would be a big production and would be a stand alone production. The film will be released in the month of August as this will be during the summer most of our target audience will be on holiday so this will give them an opportunity to see it.

The budget is none, as most props and outfits can be borrowed from the actors who are voluntarily, or the crew themselves. As for the location permission must be asked before filming.

The deadline for this production is in February 2011 keeping in mind previous commitments such as work and holidays.

Codes&Convention of a Romantic Comedy Film and how they are presented in Title Sequences

The film Hitch starts off with a male character giving a voice-over about women and love which is part of the codes&conventions of a rom-com.
There are also male characters in pursue of female characters and most of them are contrasting characters which would not be ideally seen together as a couple this is also a code&convention of a rom-com.
The setting is in different places but the most obvious setting is in the city which is another code&convention of a rom-com. Also the female character are dressed nicely and sexy which is part of the codes&conventionsof a rom-com.



The title sequence of the film The Proposal starts off by introducing the female character doing her morning exercise routine, dressed up ready to go to work and already eaten breakfast. She is organised and ready to go. It also introduces the male character but in a different way to the female he wakes up late and dresses up quickly because he's tie is not done properly and runs out of his house in order to get coffee and get in to work quickly. The is a stereotypical gender roles use here because the female character is ready to go to work dressed on time however, the male character is late and just manages to grab coffee before he goes into work.
There is also use of upbeat music which is part of the codes&conventions of a rom-com.
There is also the use of a big city because there is traffic and a big office as setting these are also codes&conventions of a rom-com.

Codes&Conventions of a Romantic Comedy Film

Codes and Conventions are elements used in a film that makes a viewer identify what the genre of the film is. Codes&Conventions of a Rom-Com:

PLOT

• Begins with the introduction of two characters(male and female) who will fall in love or the male protagonist in pursue of the female protagonist.
• Contrasting couples get together at the end e.g pretty girl and geeky boy.
• Also a female and male protagonist who pretend to not like each other and try to sabotage each other but fall in love at the end.
• The plot usually involves a male and female who are in love and taken through series of tests to test their love and usually ends in marriage.
• There is usually a male protagonist after a female protagonist who has to overcome various obstacles to win the female's affection.
• The male protagonist's struggle to win the female will involve in him doing comedic things due to his incompetence.
• There may be a twist to the relationship(like another male probably more better looking and wealthier competes for the female attention) when the couple split but then reunite and live happily after.

SETTING

• Usually in a big city like London/New York.
• In an office where the male protagonist and female protagonist work but may not know each other.

Soft and romantic music will be used and lots of scenes of nudity and intimacy. Costume is also normally sexy and smart.There is usually a voice over by a character of how the couples met.
There are also stereotypical gender roles where the female is always so organised and the male is lazy and late for work or meetings.

The Art of Film Design Throughout Cinema History

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

Over time, the very appearance of white-on-black title lettering became a visual trope, recurring as it does in practically every Woody Allen film. Allen relies on the device primarily to build a visual identity, although its economy is a practical advantage, too.

This technique of white-on-black lettering was used probably because it was a new and unique technique and also it gives the visual effect to communicate with the audience in a new way.

It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention.

The interest of title design obviously became an effect used in the opening credits so typography didn't have much detail put into it. This could be expected because when a new technique comes out in film making directors will try their best to make sure they have used it to ensure their film is the best and attract a massive audience.

The potential of digital graphics and typography has attracted some of the most creative minds to motion design. Pixar and Disney have reserved crucial parts in the branding of their films for the title sequences. Using animated characters to introduce viewers to the story became a popular trend. Such talented graphic designers as Susan Bradley (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Ratatouille), Jaimi Caliri (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events), Dave Nalle (Corpse Bride), Michael Riley (The Back-Up Plan, Kung Fu Panda) and Michael Curtis (Brother Bear) use all manner of tools to test different approaches to designing titles. One thing these individuals have in common is a drive to find a strong metaphor and tell an exciting story with their sequences.

The use of animated characters opening sequence is useful and sensible as it targets the target audience for the film and also saves time and money of using real life characters.

The title sequence for “Thank You for Smoking” (2005) is a modern manifesto on typographic style in title design. The idea for using cigarette packaging for the opening sequence was suggested by the film’s director, Jason Reitman, and implemented by Shadowplay Studios.

This idea for the opening sequence ties in with the title for the film and the ongoing idea and story of the film.

Opening sequences to romantic comedy films

This an opening sequence of a romantic comedy film overboard. The production company is MGM(Metro Goldwyn Mayer). This production company often produce romantic comedy films. Although this film was produced over 2 decades ago it still has codes and conventions of a romantic comedy like the upbeat music and the two main female and male characters introduced before the other characters.

This is the opening sequence to the romantic comedy film Hitch. The production company is Columbia pictures who are regular romantic comedy producers. The voice over by the male character is part of the codes and conventions of a romantic comedy.

This is also another example of a romantic comedy film produced by miramax films. This has typical codes and conventions of a romantic comedy like the voice over at the beginning the flashback of the characters when they were little children and the upbeat music. Also the male character been a geek and the female character been 'out of his league' so the make opposite characters that are not typical meant to be together.

This is another romantic comedy film and again we see both the main man and woman characters been introduced first. As the film is about a wedding planner the font of the names are similar to those we would see on a wedding invitation. The production company is Intermedia films. This film is the only romantic comedy they have done because they mostly do action and thriller films

This is an example of a romantic comedy film. The production company is Touchstone pictures. It has code&conventions of a romantic comedy film like the man and woman are introduced and the upbeat music.

Continuity Piece

Continuity Piece

What did you find difficult about this task?
I found drawing the storyboard and trying to think about scenes for each shot difficult.

What new skills have you acquired or developed?
I have developed more skills on how to use a video camera and also how to use a mac computer to edit the continuity piece.

What worked well?
The actors in the scene were good because they knew what they were doing and they took advice on how to act really good from the whole group.

What could you or your team have done better?
I could have drawn my storyboard better so we got clearer scenes and the group could have a beeter quality in the scenes on the continuity piece.