Titles and Opening Sequence

In media we have been looking at titles and opening sequences to films. We outlined the purposes:
•tells us who made the film
•tells us who is in the film
•establishes the genre
•shows us the production company
•get the audience attention
•shows an understanding to the narrative
•meets the character
•understanding of the location & setting


The titles are shown in a specific order in the opening sequence.
•the producer - they have the overall responsibility
•Highest billing - (director/ hollywood star)
•Director
•title - of the film
•Actor
•Cast members
•Cast
•Crew (editor sound etc)
•Final name - Director


There are different variations depending on the conventions, some choose to intersperse titles with the action i.e. the film.


We then did a case study on the opening sequence to Casino Royale and took notes.
•we can see that this film is set in a casino by the playing cards and the gambling in the opening sequence
•violence is involved in the opening sequence portraying violence throughout the film
•use of weapons
•good vs bad
•spy
•James Bond - 007
•Lengthly film
•high expectation
•iconography - guns, smart suits, fighting and death
•playing cards - weapons & bullets
•song climax with the line "you know my name" this is when Daniel Craig emerges to reveal his face.


In conclusion the opening sequence can help the audience establish the plot, know the character and the plot, understand the genre, and to place the setting :)




Clip of Casino Royal Opening Sequence

-p