Our Task...
We looked at a few opening title sequences to see the difference s and common things used in opening title sequences for the sub genre of 'zombies'. To do this, I used YouTube, and then made notes.
World War Z - Opening Title Sequence
World War Z uses piano themed music and credits split with scenes of panic arising to help build tension. The white writing suggests purity and everything being perfect before something went horribly wrong. They use sunsets and clouds to show everything at peace and doing everything as normal in everyday life. Then they go on to show things that don't normally happen like dolphins being washed on the shore. Using the mis-en-scene element of props creates tension too; showing people wearing masks signifies there is some kind of serious illness threatening people.
Things this opening title sequence has in common with others in the zombie sub genre:
-red titles
-quick transitions
-scared crowds
-news reports
- background music
-zombie sound effects
-military presence
-representation of panic
Things this opening title sequence has in common with others in the zombie sub genre:
-red titles
-quick transitions
-scared crowds
-news reports
- background music
-zombie sound effects
-military presence
-representation of panic
Sinister - Opening Title Sequence
The Sinister opening title sequence is strange yet effective due to the camera positioning remaining the same all of the way through but the scene. The content of the scene works to develop a tense atmosphere fairly quickly as we watch four people being hung from a tree. The tension builds when the audience sees a possessed saw prop, it some how cuts the branch holding the rope responsible for hanging the four bodies. This scene is made even more tense because of the old fashioned cinema projector sound which would be non- diegetic. It compliments the eery scene. There are also faint scream sound effects which are placed throughout the scene.
We found this opening title sequence confusing because there is no titles on it accept the film title; this obviously goes against one of the main things out of the codes and conventions we expect to see in opening title sequences . It can also be a little bit confusing because the entire O.T.S stays focused on one subject.
This O.T.S is very different to how we hope 'Frostbite' will turn out because it has more of a paranormal sub genre, whereas, our O.T.S will be themed around zombies.
We found this opening title sequence confusing because there is no titles on it accept the film title; this obviously goes against one of the main things out of the codes and conventions we expect to see in opening title sequences . It can also be a little bit confusing because the entire O.T.S stays focused on one subject.
This O.T.S is very different to how we hope 'Frostbite' will turn out because it has more of a paranormal sub genre, whereas, our O.T.S will be themed around zombies.
The Grudge - Opening Title Sequence
The Grudge opening title sequence shows three main characters. The house maid, the house owner and the grudge. They are all introduced at different parts of the O.T.S; it's set in a stereotypical Japanese house.
The scene before the clip above showed the site of activity riding a bike down the road. As an audience, we assume that this is a safe place and somewhat normal. The tension starts to build when the other character in the scene is introduced and when the camera's subject is turned to the house. As the opening title sequence starts, a slow spine-chilling music begins and the volume increases. With diegetic ambient sound coming from the spooky attic, the audience gets the distinct impression that something bad is going to happens and that it has something to do with the house. This builds up tension for the audience to see what actually is in the attic!
The scene before the clip above showed the site of activity riding a bike down the road. As an audience, we assume that this is a safe place and somewhat normal. The tension starts to build when the other character in the scene is introduced and when the camera's subject is turned to the house. As the opening title sequence starts, a slow spine-chilling music begins and the volume increases. With diegetic ambient sound coming from the spooky attic, the audience gets the distinct impression that something bad is going to happens and that it has something to do with the house. This builds up tension for the audience to see what actually is in the attic!