Post 1: Conventions of Opening Sequence

Our main task is to create an opening title sequence for a film. In doing this we will need to research the conventions of an opening titles in order to see what I should use and what i shouldn't.

 I started my research by looking into the film Smokin Aces. Which log line is “When a Las Veg as performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob; it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing?”

The film uses a non-dietetic music which is very face and up pace which is fitting towards its crime thriller feel. Mise-en-scene is very limiting through the opening sequence however it uses very dull negative colours such as browns and dark yellows, which gives us an indication of what is to come. AS for the content in the opening sequence it is an introduction to all the characters so we know who they are when they come on set.

In my opinion smoking aces is a good opening sequence as it is very simple yet affective. As the audience we find out very minimal information about the film yet still want to see more. The graphics work hand in hand with the tone of the film with a dramatic blood splatter over Smokin Aces, and I want to take this feel over onto my opening sequence

The second film I looked at was DreamWorks Kung F panda. Kung Fu panda is a fully animated family film which is about a panda that learns Kung Fu by mistake. Logline-In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts.

Again I found that in my research this film uses a non-dietetic sound track. So I will take this information and emulate it into my opening sequence. Furthermore the feel to this film is much more positive and is clear it is targeted to a younger audience the Smokin Aces. It does by use of colours again however this time they are very bright and warm colours, until what only can be imagined as the bad characters come on screen then the colours go dull and dark. Ku Fu Panda is a action film and the music sets it off in an emphatic fashion.

Threw my research it is clear that I need to be clear in my opening sequence, I need to utilise the pace and colour to set the mood of my film. Secondly I want it to be clear whop my target audience is from the first few second of my opening sequence

All my research of titles i found of http://www.artofthetitle.com/