Differences between Opening credits and Title sequences:
The differences between the two aren't that difficult in all honesty. Where a Title sequence usually limits you ( As most will have a black background and a large text stating the movie ), Opening credits allow you to take your time in presenting the key figures within and behind the movie without wasting time, being able to show footage in the background as the movie introduces the audience to the situation or tone of the movie. Title sequences also rarely state many Both, however, are acceptable, as Title sequences are quick and don't drag out too long, whereas Opening credits are longer, yet show main tones and the overall atmosphere to be expected within the movie. The downside in some sense is that Base Level audiences (People who merely see what's in front of them with little thought to the meaning behind it or purpose) will likely ignore the texts presented if the movie throws them right into a scenario that brings about tension or something significant, making the whole Opening Credits ignored and in a way useless (To them at least).
Techniques of Opening Credits:
There are many techniques that Directors use to add meaning and purpose to the Opening Credits. Opening Credits can throw us right into the problem at hand and give us many questions as to what is happening and how this unknown character got there, and can also introduce us to the time and year (As my last Thriller example does). Not only can they set the tone and time, but they can introduce us to characters and overall relationships depending on how they go about it, whether they show two characters cooperating together (Obviously hinting at the Main protagonists) or if they show a cliche Villian trying to enact evil and hideous things upon others, overall being an unpleasant character.
The Opening Credits can also bring about excitement if used correctly, whether it be in the music brought about or the bold text of a famous actor that is loved and cherished.
Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock
Purpose:
This opening sequence almost perfectly sets the pretense to the main problem in this movie.
Not only does this Opening sequence show a lively neighborhood through a controlled view but in a way hints at to why our Main character spots the murder that occurs (Being the main problem). Being stuck with a fractured leg, he becomes observant of the surroundings from the view of his Rear Window. The intro almost sets his character up with the pan over the neighborhood, also making it believable once he stumbles upon the act committed and not just some Cliche coincidence. This opening sequence gives us most of the background info needed. This also allows you to get a general idea of the area, as we see that it is set in an apartment block (With many open windows and spaces, allowing us to see many characters going on with their day). This scene starts us off with a 'Calm before the storm.
Django Unchained by Queintin Tarantino
Purpose:
Quentin Tarantino takes his time in this Opening Sequence, cueing classical Western-themed music to introduce us to a Western themed world as it introduces a very large sum of the cast in Red Western font, staying true to the time period and cleverly steering away from fonts such as Comic Sans. He is very generous as obviously stated, crediting many figures behind the scenes in the Opening Credits instead of the End Credits that are normally skipped and already bunched up. There isn't much occurring in the background obviously, but it's enough to narrow down the time period to the 1800's ( With the movie being set 1858 Texas).
Our Main Character is distinctly shown, being noticeable from the crowd of slaves with more noticeable and puffy hair. This already in a way shows us the Main theme of the movie and problem that the Main character struggles with (Being a Slave, and later themes showing a struggling man coming to terms with being free, not knowing what to do). This also sets up the style of the movie, almost being comical yet provoking, comical in the sense of the Western music played and style of the text, also provoking in the sense of basing this Movie in a very sensitive time in History, showing (In this scene, the scars on their backs) a very racist period and almost deprived period. Through this scene, we are shown a Serious subject in a comical way, with Mr. Tarantino pulling this off spectacularly (Especially through the Font and overall Music)A contrast between both Films:
Both movies use the Opening Credits to distinctly identify the main protagonist/character, with each having Highlighted problems (One with him having a broken leg, and the other being abused as a slave). Both scenes take their time to introduce the overall Setting and tone of the movie (With Mr. Hitchcocks movie showing a setting before the equilibrium is broken, and Mr. Tarantino's movie showing it as already being broken or nonexistent). The difference though is, as stated before, the Equilibrium for Jeff being merely shaken, and the Equilibrium for Django being utterly destroyed as he is forced to walk in unbearable conditions and have to face the fact that he will likely be sold off and worked to death. Jeff's personality and home are searched more In-depth as the theme of observation are shown, whereas Django is shown as more physically hurt (More focused on the scars and emotionless/bitter look that is worn on his face). Both focus on the environment tremendously to set the setting and atmosphere for the film, with both at times ignoring characters and zooming in on terrain/buildings.
One thing that Django Unchained does differently though is that they not only take their time with the Opening Credits, but they focus on them, with the characters in view being out of focus on purpose, almost to direct the viewer's attention to the text at hand and not the Character which has already been in focus before for long enough ( Almost trying to make the Opening credits more important, not being ignored by Base Level Viewers).
Conclusion:
Overall, both directors use the Opening Credits in a smart manner to show different key elements to the film, establishing key things to ensure the audience follows the film and gets the best experience possible.
Thank you for reading my post on Opening Sequences!
Feel free to show other examples of Opening Sequences done well or go further in-depth on my post :)
Jackson V –
ReplyDeletePurpose of Opening Sequences:
• This section is missing from the post.
Differences between Opening Credits and Title Sequences:
• You got it backwards – opening credits by themselves would be the list of key roles on a plain background. Title Sequence is removed from the main action of the film, but still has more going on, visually.
Techniques:
• The grey text is difficult to read.
• Mostly, you discuss effects here rather than techniques to achieve those effects. You eventually mention ‘music’, which apparently helps to ‘bring about excitement’. Focus on technical elements and their effects. Look at your notes for Conventions of a Thriller, and use the blog entries for those conventions as well. The link in this assignment’s blog post also takes us to a very useful PDF.
Rear Window:
• Why do you think the audience is shown the ‘pan over the neighbourhood’? Besides being a point of view shot, what is the effect on the audience? What can we expect?
Django Unchained:
• Again, grey text is very difficult to read. Fix please.
• Better intro, though, discussing Western style music. Use terms like diegetic or non-diegetic.
• Good observation on generosity of time spent on credits.
• “with more noticeable and puffy hair” should be “with more noticeably puffy hair” or perhaps “more obviously puffy hair, which makes him stand out”. See me for phrasing.
• The hair would be an aspect of Mise-en-scène and in that sense is a valid observation, yet you haven’t used this term! Use the vocabulary!
• Quick reference to titles font, but no explanation or example is given.
Contrast between Films:
• Why do you think the directors zoomed in on terrain / buildings and away from the characters? What type of shots were they? What were the effects?
• Overall, very focused on plot, though with some comments clearly derived from awareness of Todorov’s Narrative Theory.
OVERALL: 6/20
Remember in Media Studies we will ALWAYS be focusing on technical elements. All effects experienced by the viewer must be clearly linked back to these elements. Although you’ve focused mostly on what’s HAPPENING in the film; think of it in terms of what the director or camera operator is DOING. Then think about what the results of their actions are. As is, this post demonstrates minimal to limited application of knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created in media products, though ability to undertake and apply appropriate research is apparent at a limited to satisfactory level.
- T. Marcus