REAL OTS ANALYSIS
As part of our research, we looked at a number of opening title sequences from three different films. These were The Woman in Black, The Ring and Them. We analysed these so that we could determine what aspects were used that were effective and which aspects weren't as useful. By researching different opening title sequences, we can ensure that ours will be the best it possibly can.
(LJ)
(LJ)
The Woman In Black
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The Opening Title Sequence of The Woman in Black begins with 3 young girls playing with china dolls and a china tea set. During the scene, a spooky nursery rhyme music plays. As the tension progresses, the music gets louder and more intense. The creator has used spooky music to make the audience feel uneasy. By using children, the audience have more of an emotional connection to them, and have sympathy. The fact that there is no dialogue increases the tension and introduces a sense of mystery, making the viewer want to watch it further.
(NG) |
The Ring
The Ring starts with a scene where two teenage girls are telling a story about a film that when you've watched it you only have a certain amount of time left to live. The whole opening title sequence is then set around this theory, with the girls pranking eachother and making the audience believe something is going to happen to the girls on a number of occasions. The sounds used make the audience believe that something is there and also builds suspense. The opening title sequence ends with the one girl going upstairs to find water seeping out from a closed door and opens it. The last scene is a zoom in shot of the girl showing she had been possessed.
(LJ) |
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The Grudge
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The Grudge is a film based in Japan. The opening title sequence includes a series of different types of shots of a carer checking out one of her patients' house after hearing noises around. AT the start the sounds used are to build suspense with the audience as they are gripped into finding out what is making the noises and what happens to the carer. The colours used are dark and some camera shots are off kilter, making the audience believe that something is about to happen. When the Grudge is revealed the music used is built up dramatically causing the audience to jump when one of the final shots is a close up of the Grudge.
(LJ) |
Dexter
In the opening title sequence of Dexter, there are a sequence of shots that insinuate different methods of death. This type of an opening title sequence is symbolic. The opening title sequence shows an average morning routine for a typical man. At the beginning it starts with a tic sucking the blood and being splatted, leaving blood. this is followed by a razor being shown to shave the mans neck with a drop of blood dripping, this could symbolize death. other symbolic shots in this opening title sequence are the cutting of the meat for his breakfast to represent the cutting of flesh and the same symbol of the cutting of flesh when there is an orange shown to be cut with the juice squirting everywhere. As the man is at the sink he is flossing his teach with string, followed by him tightening and tying his laces. This could represent a method of death using string or rope. it is then shown for the man to put a white t-shirt on, pushing his head against it outlining his face. This could be associate with death as when someone has died there is a cloth placed over the body. Finally, the opening title sequence for Dexter ends with the man locking the the house door and walking away. This could be symbolized with locking all the hidden bodies or secrets away without anyone knowing. The music used in this is suspicious and builds suspense towards the audience.
(NG, LJ) |
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Se7en
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Se7en is a non-linear opening title sequence. This means that it doesn't follow a particular story line and shots aren't placed in a specific timeline of events. The music starts off leading the audience to build suspense and as the OTS comes towards the end the music starts to change to a faster, more upbeat and suspicious tone. This is to get the audience to continue watching and questioning what's going to happen. There is also a level of mystery involved in this opening title sequence as there is no storyline and the audience find themselves asking questions.
(LJ) |
SAW II
The opening sequence of Saw II is non linear as it doesn't exactly show you how did it lead to this point in the film. The film seems to start with the overall main sequence,. The colours used in the scene are the same throughout the entire opening sequence.. The background sound of the ticking clock at 2:30 builds up the atmosphere of tension for the audience.. The pace of the opening sequence starts of a bit slow but then gets faster as the tension in the scene builds up. The opening sequence leaves a question for the audience as the audience wonder what happened and who is this person.
(TA) |
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Nightmare On Elm Street
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During the start of Nightmare On Elm Street the colours used are different to a typical horror. This is because it's shown to be a dream. The music gives the audience a level of suspense and shows suspicion. In the dream it is shown that the man is just about to get killed and the audience are left on edge, but as the man was just about to be killed it is quickly shown that it was just a dream and so the audience are relieved.
(LJ) |
The Conjuring
The opening of The Conjuring shows a linear affect as it's the beginning of the story that's being explained throughout the opening sequence and it shows how this short clip is tied into the whole film. Throughout the opening, the colours are continuous and dark and it remains this way until the end of the entire opening sequence. The beginning of the opening sequence has a silent background, this is so the audience focuses just on the scripts of the actors; whereas after the attention being off the verbal concept, there becomes a weary mist of noice in the background - this gives a spooky atmosphere and makes the audience prepared for a shock/surprise (and thats exactly what this scene delivers). These effects are setting a tense atmosphere. This opening title sequence leaves the audience wondering what's going to happen to the characters and what the story is behind the doll.
(BC) |
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