Researching Film Openings

Analysing the: Titles, Sound, and Camerawork for Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and I, Robot

Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This opening scene has many titles, and uses a wide range of camera shots. The sound used is also used to create a bigger affect to the audience. The titles were ordered from most important Production companies, and famous actors in the film. Then went to the less important people used to film the clip- casting, music supervisor... etc. Then ends with the most important people in creating the film, producer, director... etc. I also noticed that they only appeared on screen for no longer than 4 seconds.

I, Robot

I, ROBOT "title sequence" from JOSE ORTIZ on Vimeo.

This opening scene is very different to Sweeney Todd, mainly because they are a different genre, but this opening doesn't use as many titles. This shows that not all films show their credits at the start. I, Robot only state the main production companies. It again contrasts the first one film by the length of the titles screen time, in lasting 6 seconds. This proves their importance in this film being successful. Also, their is many camera shots used in the clip, and the editing changing from slow pace to fast paced decodes to the audience in them feeling tense. This again differs to the first opening scene by them building the pace throughout, rather than quick changes. These both have different effect on the audience, which I would think about for my film opening.

I shall use these ideas of the micro elements in these to clips. Also I will have to take into consideration the title screen time, and the pace of the clip to ensure that my clip clearly represents the genre chosen.

Some useful links for an opening sequence

http://www.artofthetitle.com/titles/

This website has many opening clips of films, so it enables me to research different opening for different genres.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cnsmedia

This YouTube Channel has many videos helping me to revise, research, and see other film openings produced by AS students.

I find that the title sequences in James Bond are contructed very effectively, and looks extremly impressive. I may use this to impire some of the editing techniques i may use in my opening.  Maurice Binder is responsible for the artistic designs, and magnifgicant editing of the James Bond title sequences. 

http://www.jamesbondwiki.com/page/James+Bond+Title+Sequences, this website shows some of the title sequences which has been included in the James Bond films.