11.09.2013 - PLANNING: THE ART OF THE TITLE

I used the website which I found is indispensable viewing for students choosing the film opening brief: The Art of the Title – www.artofthetitle.com .This outstanding site is devoted to exhibiting and examining title opening sequences to analyse in detail: Pacific Rim (Guillermo Del Toro 2013), The Day After Tomorrow (Roland Emmerich 2004) and Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie 2010).

Pacific Rim (Guillermo Del Toro 2013)

Went to www.artofthetitle.com – html to watch opening

Pacific Rim - The Art of the Title - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/pacific-rim/ 

1.       Choice of font of the titles of film, actors and actresses reflects the genre

2.       Repeated use of close ups creates enigma which means the audience want to know what is next

3.       Therefore I can afford to use extreme close ups and tight frame works to make the opening personal

4.       The font is masculine, bold and looks as if it would be in a research centre

5.       The font is white with a black background.

6.       The opening shows power, masculinity and the dirtiness, hard-core and grime of making robots – use of CJI and iron robots, use of hardware (the light glistens off the iron), glimpses of wholesome scary iron robot faces, fighting for life which is portrayed as intimidating

7.       The music has relentless pace, it has a deep, low volume. The music portrays an enigma of curiosity to what the mystery.

The Day After Tomorrow (Roland Emmerich 2004)

Watched on DVD - youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwbwLmyUVKU 

1.       Impact makes the location feel hostile, dangerous

2.       The opening portrayed a long tracking shot of an icy, cold, remote location far from home

3.       The panning opening shot (aerial shot) of Antarctica has titles of the actors and actresses with reflection as it to portray ice like the glaciers being shown. The camera is travelling continuously slow, making us feel as if we are personally travelling a long, torturous journey. CJI location – makes it look real expedition.

4.       The shift between the opening tracking shot is masked with text of the actors and actresses names to live action.

5.       The tracking shot conveys a landscape of an alien, hostile, cold environment with an upfront beginning with live action.

6.       The shot of the USA flag just after the opening shot portrays patriotic citizens of America – thousands of miles of travelling to represent the USA, enigma curious of mystery 

7.       The music is powerful, low in volume and fast paced; reflects a deep, relentless feel. It creates a sense of quest, excitement and adventure.

8.       The colours are dramatic dark blues and pure, crystal white which contrasts with the ice white glaciers and blue pungent sea

Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie 2010)



 

 1. I examined this opening a sequence which is visually spectacular and syndicates film footage with VFX to create a authentic Victorian period quality. For example, the titles appear to be hand written on old paper in sepia ink and watery blotches and ink splatters.

 

2. Many still photographic close-ups of the heroic protagonists merge with live action, again bringing this Victorian period drama up to date. The colours are all muted to suggest the gas-lit streets and murky corners of the Victorian underworld, a place of danger and fear.