HOW DOES YOUR OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?
Within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, there are elements in which both conform with the stereotypical horror opening title sequence and challenge these conventions. This allows for an opening title sequence which is both recognisable as a horror opening title sequence but one which stands out and challenges what we as an audience would see when watching a film. For inspiration, we as a group have used such opening title sequences as Final Destination 1, Final Destination 2, Final Destination 4 and Final Destination 5 as well as the opening title sequences from such horror films as Saw 2, House At The End Of The Street, Sinister and the original 1996 Scream. The use of these opening title sequences allows for us as a group to have existing successful horrors in which to base our OTS off of. The presence of inspiration within our opening title sequence allows for us to be able to know what works within a horror opening scene rather than going totally off piste, however the use of a majority unknown style of horror allows for the contradiction to many horror opening title sequence stereotypes.
As a group, it was difficult for us to decide to lean towards an opening title sequence that majorly challenged horror conventions as it made the planning hard as well as the audience research more complex. Without being able to have an end result which could be compared to many other horror opening title sequences, we as a group had created a product which is mainly unseen in this form of media. No element of fear or shock is implanted into the audience in full but small elements of this fear as well as an eeriness is able to translate across to the audience which therefore allows for us to create an opening title sequence for Unvirtuous the not only conforms with small elements of horror opening title sequences but categorically stay clear and create something of art and sophistication as well as that eeriness and fear that is seen amongst so many other horror opening title sequences.
Developing forms and conventions
In terms of developing conventions and forms of horror opening title sequences, Unvirtuous is able to conform with the most basic of elements which make up an opening title sequence. In terms of its content, our opening title sequence conforms in only the core values of what an opening title sequence should include but beyond these basics our opening title sequence really did challenge conformities of the usually seen sequence.
Within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, we conformed with conventions and forms in terms of the order of our titles within the sequence itself. Usually within most, if not all, opening title sequences, the order in which the titles appear upon the screen are structured in a particular way. Weas a group conformed with this convention of opening title sequences following the same order in which other opening title sequences follow. This allows for our opening title sequence to fit in with the competition within the market allowing the continuation of this convention across all opening title sequences.
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Our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, follows another form or convention in terms of length of the sequence itself. Most opening title sequences are round about 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds to allow for all of the titles to appear with space for the audience to watch the sequence also. Our opening title sequence length is over 2 minutes at 2 minutes 9 seconds therefore putting our opening title sequence within that overall but usual bracket of sequence lengths. The length of our sequence, Unvirtuous is therefore one which conforms with that of other horror opening title sequences.
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Unvirtuous, our opening title sequence, not only conforms with the sequence length but also with the length in which the individual titles are present upon the screen. Within opening title sequences, the screen time in which each title gets is important because it allows for the name to be recognised by the audience without it appearing upon the screen for an extensive amount of time. There isn't a set time in which teach title and name should appear upon the screen for so we as a group have decided to have the titles on for a period of time in which the audience doesn't need to read too quickly but without them having too much time to read without looking at the opening title sequence.
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Within our opening title sequence named Unvirtuous, all of the titles showing the individuals aiding the production of the sequence as well as their job role are all in the same colour while being in the same font and at the same size, this allows for consistency within the opening title sequence therefore meaning that the audience aren't looking at different things every 5 seconds. The title of the opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, is in a larger and more bold font as well as being in red rather than white to allow for it to be seen as something as major importance within the sequence.
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Like all other opening title sequences, Unvirtuous includes the advertising sequence of the distribution company. The job of the distribution company is to take the sequence and later the film and send it worldwide for cinema release or for DVD release depending upon the requirements of the production company. Our distribution company sequence is bold and it attracts the attention of the audience therefore meaning that the distribution sequence is one of success as it is important that it is recognised.
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Within our opening title sequence, a production company sequence has been included as it is used within all other opening title sequences. It shows the the company in which produced the opening title sequence and subsequently the film. The job of the production company is to produce the sequence in which the distribution company will send across the globe and so the production company is therefore of great importance within the sequence making and why it needs to be advertised within the sequence, to gain interest from other film enquires.
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Seen within our film
Within our OTS there are similarities with other horror opening title sequences and elements that allow for our opening title sequence to be one that does conform and share similarities with the general forms and conventions of horror sequences. Within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, we have made sixteen connections with other opening title sequences including elements from the "Final Destination" series of films as well as "Scream" and "The House At The End Of The Street", to name a few.
Final Destination 1, 2000 - distribution company sequence
To show the importance of the distribution company within an opening title sequence, it is put first within the order of titles. Both our opening title sequence and that of "Final Destination 1" released in 2000 show the distribution company sequence put first within the opening title sequence. We therefore conform with other horror opening title sequences in the order in which the distribution sequence is shown within the sequence as a whole. The distribution sequence shown within the "Final Destination 1" opening title sequence, a bold and clear logo is shown with clear text allowing for the audience to easily see the company, we as a group also did this to allow for a clear and contextual distribution sequence. |
Final Destination 5. 2011 - production company sequence
To show the importance of the production company sequence within an opening title sequence, it is put directly after the distribution sequence within the order of titles. Both our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, and that of "Final Destination 5" released in 2011 shows that production company sequence as important as without the advertisement of the production company, films and sequences will not be commissioned and so a profit will be lost. Therefore, the importance of the production company within the creation of an opening title sequence leads to it being near the beginning in the titles order. We as a group once more conform with opening title sequence forms and conventions in terms of this title. |
Final Destination 5. 2011 - use of a knife
We as a group decided to show the weapon of choice within our opening title sequence to allow for the audience to be able to see how the victim is killed and what they are killed with. Another opening title sequence within horror that shows a knife within its opening title sequence is "Final Destination 5", released in 2011, as it allows for the audience watching to get an insight into what the subsequent film will be involving and a gimps into what to expect. "Unvirtuous" shows the knife in a still image while "Final Destination 5" shows it in a moving and twisting image but between the two opening title sequences a knife is shown as a weapon and so "Unvirtuous" conforms with conventions shown within other opening title sequences. |
Final Destination 5. 2011 - film title
When deciding how to edit and create a moving image for our opening title sequence, we as a group looked towards the mini title sequence of "Final Destination 5", released in 2011, as it shows the title of the subsequent film layered on top of a moving image which only emphasises the title. While "Final Destination 5" uses a bullet sequence in which a bullet hits something, we decided to use the of spreading fire as our background to represent the severed connections between the characters within our opening title sequence. Therefore we have followed the forms of horror sequences in terms of "Final Destination 5" in the design idea of the title of the sequence, "Unvirtuous". |
House At The End Of The Street, 2012 - the use of nature
When looking at elements within horror it is important to look past those which are obvious to the audience because the more obvious elements are easy to spot and have less in depth meaning. We as a group therefore decided to look towards other elements in which to benefit off of. "House At The End Of The Street" uses nature to soften the look of the more obvious elements of horror while still showing eeriness within the shot. We therefore as a group decided to place the killer within an area predominantly surrounded with nature therefore softening the killers harshness but showing the unknown and liveliness within the image. We as a group therefore feel as we have conformed with this element of horror shown within "House At The End Of The Street". |
Final Destination 4, 2009 - moving image similarities
When looking for conformations between our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, and other more famous and well known sequences such as the "Final Destination" series, it is important not to look for direct symmetry but to look for similarities through interpretation. Within "Final Destination 4" the use of a crane crashing towards the camera simulates the image of the light within "Unvirtuous" which is aided by the addition of Ken Burns to create movement within the still image. Both therefore look similar and move similarly and therefore allows for the perception of the same image. We as a group used this clip to help towards the conformities and form as well as conventions with such horror opening title sequences as "Final Destination 4" released in 2009. |
Final Destination, 2003 - victim board
Victim boards within horror films and horror opening title sequences, as well as multiple other film genres, are common props in which directors like to use to show the audience glimpses of what to come within the film. The use of a victim board within our opening title sequence, "Unvirtuous" allows for the audience to see who the victim is, due to the circled image, as well as individuals in which the killer has previously killed, it allows for the audience to see the danger within the individual seen upon the screen. When looking at the victim board within "Final Destination 2" the use of images is similar to ours as well as the way in which the camera techniques are used therefore suggesting to us as a group that although our sequence is unique, we do look for inspiration from other more successful sequences. |
Final Destination 5, 2011 - use of a knife
When creating an opening title sequence such as "Unvirtuous" which is created using mostly stills with only some moving film, it is important for a message to be able get across to the audience and so the use of a weapon allows for the portrayal of a more horror themed opening title sequence to be seen. Within the 2011 film, "Final Destination 5" the use of a knife is used to develop the idea of fear and danger within an opening title sequence, we therefore as a group decided to take this idea and use it in the form of the image of a knife. We developed the idea and created a silhouette of the knife in a spotlight upon the wall to emphasise the danger of the shadows and the darkness which is a common theme within horror. As a croup we connected with forms and conventions of horror showing the weapon in the sequence. |
House At The End Of The Street, 2012 - seeing killer from behind
Within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, we wanted to show the killer from multiple angles with one being from behind. The use of the angle looking at the killer from behind allows for the audience to see only a small element of the killer leaving the perception open to the audience. Within the 2012 film "House At The End Of The Street" the use of barriers are used to separate the audience from the characters and so it creates a somewhat distance in which the audience cant fully comprehend. As a group we decided to use this idea but not to the same extent, we have used a door so a clear barrier is shown but it is a barrier in which the audience can see through. The use of physical barriers corresponds with other horror opening title sequences and so we as a group have conformed. |
Final Destination 2, 2003 - seeing the male victim
Within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, we wanted to have a death within our opening title sequence without the necessity of realistically creating a stab scene and so as a collective, we decided to use still images to portray a faced paced death in which the victim is shown at the end. Within "Final Destination 2" the victim is shown before his death as well as after it, as we have done in "Unvirtuous", to show the victims so called story. This scene was used as it is a male that looks similar to the victim in "Unvirtuous" and so there is a sense of homage in terms of choosing a victim. We therefore have conformed with forms and conventions of horror by firstly including a death within our opening title sequence but to also show the victim before and after the death to show his story. |
Final Destination 2, 2003 - victim board
When looking at stereotypical horror opening title sequences whether they are police detective based or psychopath based, a victim bored is used to allow for the audience to perceive the situation in which the individuals within the opening title sequence are in. It allows for the view of the individual as someone who is a big killer or someone who is looking for a killer. In "Final Destination 2", the victim board is used within the opening title sequence to allows for the audience to view some of that characters that have died as well as some that will die within future scenes within the film. We therefore as a group feel as if we have conformed with forms and conventions of horror by using such a common prop seen within many horror films and opening title sequences. |
Scream 1, 1996 - sociable victim
When looking at opening title sequences for inspiration, a classic in which to look out is the opening title sequence of the 1996 film "Scream" in which Sydney is a scalable girl, talking comfortable on the phone to perceive the characteristics that she is sociable and friendly with all people. We took this idea away from "Scream" and developed it into showing the victim as someone who is easy to talk to and popular and like Sydney creates a confusion within the audience as to why they are killed within the opening sequence. It was important for us to create a victim that was "unjustly" killed when looking at the opening title sequence and therefore allowing for an emotional connection with the audience. We therefore conformed as a whole in terms of creating a sociable character as seen within "Scream". |
Sinister, 2012 - floor hatch
Within horror, darkness and the unknown is a constant fear and element which is shown. Within the 2012 film, "Sinister", a hatch in the floor is shown to portray an individual coming from a place of comfort into somewhere of darkness and the unknown. We as a group noticed the use of darkness as one which is effective and so implemented the idea within our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous". This was done by using a hatch found within the floor, below it looks dark and fearful while above it doesn't look as intimidation. the use of such props leads to the perception of the unknown within the opening title sequence and so we as a group have conformed with this opening title sequence in the exploitation of the darkness and the unknown. |
Saw 2, 2005 - mirror
The use of a mirror within "Saw 2" allows for the interpretation of the audience into what else is happening within the scene. A mirror acts as a frame to art and so it holds a certain amount of image within it leaving the rest to interpretation. We as a group liked this idea and therefore decided to use this idea by using a mirror to see the killer, she is turned away and so the audience are left or perceive the killer as whatever they like at this stage. The mirror has blood upon it leaving the audience to see the danger of the killer but it also hides half of the image and so the image is left open to further interpretation by the audience than originally. We as a group looked towards "Saw 2" for inspiration as it shows obvious elements of film discreetly, we followed this and therefore conformed with this film. |
Saw 2, 2005 - close up on face
Within "Saw 2", the opening scene shows a close up of an individuals face to show the audience who the individual is but what their facial expression is as well. We as a group therefore decided that the use of a close up upon a main individual within our opening title sequence of "Unvirtuous" would allow for the audience to see the blunt and evil expression upon the face. The use of this close up allows for the audience to perceive the individual in their own way but showing the audience the importance of the character and the importance of paying attention to that individual. Between "Unvirtuous" and "Saw 2" the use of close ups shows that we as a group look to such sequences as inspiration for our own and therefore see this use of a close up as something which is effective within our opening sequence. |
House At The End Of The Street, 2012 - feet close up
The use of a low angle looking only at the lower half of an individual was not our own originally, it was taken form the Jennifer Lawrence film, "House At The End Of The Street" but changed also. The original clip taken from the 2012 film was filmed with the girl running towards the camera, we as a group didn't think that this would be suitable and so we made the decision to reverse the clip and then adapt it to our own to allow for the killer to walk away from the camera, as if she has finished what she has started. Both clips are therefore similar and show that we as a group have looked to this film for inspiration once more showing that we have looked to simulate the positive elements of other horror opening title sequences. |
Challenging forms and conventions
When it comes to challenging forms and conventions in opening title sequences, Unvirtuous has taken elements form other horror opening title sequences and developed them into something that creates a different context in terms of viewing an opening title sequence. One such example will be the majority of media being still images rather than moving film and another being a killer that is female. The use of challenging forms and conventions within our opening title sequence allows for an opening title sequence which is unique and new in the mass market which is otherwise congested.
Although it is not unknown, it is rare to have a teenage killer that is both female and of good looks. Many female horror killers kill because they are bullied and alone, the audience do not yet know the story behind the killer and to see one which is attractive allows for the audience to ponder to why she'd want to kill. The use of a female killer not only creates confusion within the audience but allows for more of the target audience to watch the subsequent film, horror is stereotypically a genre of film for young males and so by having a female killer as well as the killer being attractive allows for the stereotype of having an attractive girl within horror is followed. However, the stereotype is reversed when the audience see the killer as that particular female as it creates a sense of uncertainty into why she'd have the vengeance to kill within the opening title sequence in which we have created, "Unvirtuous"
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One major challenge to forms and conventions within "Unvirtuous", our opening title sequence, is the lack of aged individuals. Within many horror sequences, either the killer, victim or some of the extras are of an older age to allow for a connection with the target audience in question. Our target audience is teenagers and so we have implemented a teenage killer as well as a teenage victim and set of extras of similar ages to create a sequence that is relevant to the target audience in which we are trying to reach out to. No horror sequences in which our group can think of contain the use and only the use of teenagers that are below the age of 18 therefore allowing for out opening title sequence, "Unvirtuous" to challenge forms and conventions within horror but to also be unique in its plot basis.
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When watching such sequences as the "Saw" series, the victims are ones which arguably deserve to die because of their job role and past life. However, "Unvirtuous" has a victim which is sociable as well as friendly, someone that may not deserve to die. We as a group made this decision because having an innocent looking victim confuses the audience into why they would be chosen to die as well as enticing them into wanting to watch the remainder of the film to see if a reason emerges, after all the point of the opening title sequence is to entice the audience into watching more of the film. Our victim within the opening title sequence creates a sense of confusion because the audience see the victim within the sequence as someone with lots of friends and someone of popularity and so his death comes as a surprise to the audience.
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Possibly the most obvious and major challenge to forms and conventions within our opening title sequence,Unvirtuous, is the use of still images. Stills are used commonly within opening title sequences to halt the emotional road in which the audience is on and to allow them to hold an image for a longer period of time. However, our opening title sequence uses predominantly stills with minimal film to create a sense of stagnation and eeriness about the opening title sequence furthermore allowing for the emphasis to be placed upon the individual images and how the audience perceive them. Such opening sequences as "Final Destination" uses moving images with overlayed stills to create depth within the sequence, to try and recreate this within "Unvirtuous" we used the editing technique "Ken Burns" to give our stills a sense of movement and depth.
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Our opening title sequence, Unvirtuous, a sound track is use like most other opening title sequences. However, the sound track used within Unvirtuous is contrapuntal to the feeling of the images. When watching the sequence with no sound, a sense of minimalism gets through to the audience and the use of stagnant images creates a sequence with no emotion. Therefore, the use of the soundtrack, which is eerie and suspenseful as well as contradicting the images, allows for the audience to then feel the eerie emotion within the sequence therefore showing that the soundtrack helps for the opening title sequence to challenge sequence forms and conventions.
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Within the opening title sequence of Unvirtuous, the minimal use of diegetic sound allows not only for an enhanced and emphasised opening title sequence but for one in which isn't harsh upon the audience, it created a sequence that is smooth in coordination to the soundtrack. Both diegetic and non-diegetic sound is used within our opening title sequence but with the latter outweighing the former which enhances the feeling of the opening title sequence and creates an ambiance which is appreciated by the audience due to its enhancement of the stills, the sound brings that stagnant images to life within the opening title sequence.
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In conclusion to this evaluation question, we as a group have conformed with forms and conventions in horror opening title sequences in terms of the basics like the use of soundtracks as well as the order of titles. However, we as a group are proud to produce an opening title sequence named"Unvirtuous" which is both unique and vastly different from most other horror opening title sequences in circulation at the present time. The sue of still images rather than moving film allows for the development of something different from most seen before and combined with the quality of images as well as film quality creates a sequence in which is different as well as completely new as a piece of art within media terms.