#27 Opening Titles/ Title Sequences

 

Importance of Opening Titles 

The opening title/credits [also called title sequences] of the film introduce the audience to the mood of the film or give a general image of how the movie will play out. Sometimes the opening matches the tone of the movie, but other times some movies like to look a certain way but actually have a completely opposite tone. (i.e. It Ends with Us; it seems very girly, rom com-like, and uplifting but rather, it has dark themes about domestic abuse, harassment, and traumatic experiences)

Flashback to 1897, the first form of a title sequence seen was when Tomas Edison put a credit at the beginning of one of his films to prevent others from stealing it, or “pirating it”. And some years later, Bronco Billy (1908) became the first film to have an actor (G.M. Anderson) be credited on the screen. Later on, (up until the 50s), credits were about a minute long, and there were clustered names on the screen with a static background, these were title cards. The aesthetics obviously differed based on the style of the story, but the format was similar. Due to the movie Man with a Golden Arm, where Saul Bass and Otto Preminger collaborated on, and sent a letter to the theaters the movie will be shown at, will be required to raise the curtain in front of the screen prior to the opening titles. This was the beginning of opening titles to a movie becoming essential and establishing them as cinematic art forms.

https://nofilmschool.com/title-sequence-matter

What does it entail?

The opening title/credits [also called title sequences] normally entails of “establishing themes and setting, introducing main characters or concepts, setting up narrative expectations”, and giving credit to those who worked on the film (the ones named will most likely be the primary actors and directors~ casting, director of photography, and of the whole film itself). 

https://filmlifestyle.com/what-is-a-title-sequence/

Pretty simple right? Wrong, since this is so essential to the film, it can just as much work filming, and editing the film, to make the opening title sequence. It compares to a “grabber” sentence in an essay, as it is the first thing the audience will grab from the film.

Inspiration!

Like mentioned, It Ends with Us (2024), is a movie that is seemingly bright, romantic, but then it takes a turn. As it is a romantic drama, just like the genre of my own film opening, I will be using it. (Thank God because it has been stuck in my head for so long, and maybe that is the cause of all the drama, but it is still a perfect fit). What I will be taking away from this film’s title sequence, is the sequence of events and the colors, specifically for the second half of my intro, where there is low-key lighting, that plus the mise-en-scene gets the audience thinking of a different environment, and the feeling of romance, turned less happy. In the opening of It Ends with Us, where Lily Bloom (the main character) sees her mother again, since her father had recently passed, she was able to go into her old room, making her reminisce about the past. Compared to my film, the main character (myself), will be in her room, looking at old pictures of her and her boyfriend, and everything around her reminds her of their [the couple’s] past.  The first part of my film intro will include credits like for the actors, and then when the flash transition occurs, then the title appears as she (myself), will be looking at the polaroid photos with her and her boyfriend, like how in it ends with us, the title was in the center of the 9-minute opening. (and since Ms. Ortiz told us that Cambridge does not recommend it at the end, like how I originally thought, it’s time to switch it ASAP). 

Another title sequence that I got inspiration from was My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), that almost left a space for the credits to be clearly shown but still highlight what is occurring in the background of the title sequence (the iconic dance and song).

Conclusion

By mixing these two titles, I’ve created my own title sequence, just as cinematic as the rest of the film would –probably– look like. The use of flashbacks and lowkey lighting from It ends With Us, and specific angles like My Best Friend’s Wedding, to highlight the helpers of the film, are what I think works best. Obviously, during filming, there could be some changes, but the premise stays pretty much the same. (can probably add more im tired)

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I'm going to start including my schedule in every blog so you can see in real time what I get done (and don’t get done…)

So, there has been some setbacks… take a look. And things are getting done yay! Almost done with checklist

• 

  January 18th-20th: Further blogs on idea

• 

  January 27th: blogs due

• 

  February 1st: chose filming location

• 

  February 3rd: Blogs due, reveal title of film intro

• 

  February 7th: ask Frances (again) to be in video and write the plot/dialogue [half done]

• 

  February 10th: figure out costumes, camera, and editing software (AND BLOGS DUE)

• More like the 11th… (DONE)

• 

  February 14th: Get filming down for first 45 - 60 seconds of film intro

• Will probably be moved to the 16th.. (DONE)

• Things occurring on that day may interfere with filming

• 

  February 17th: Blogs due

• 

  February 24th: Blogs due

• 

  February 28th: Get filming done for the second half

• 

  March 1st: Save the day for any refilming needed (need some parts done for the second half so will be done the 1st.)

• 

  March 3rd: Begin editing process

• 

  March 7th: See if you have time to stop by You Media. 

• 

  March 10th- complete CCR Pt.1

• 

  March 14th: complete CCR Pt.2

• 

  March 17th - 21st: Edit CCR and finalize the film intro 

#26 CCR Planning Pt/1

 CCR…YAY! 

What is a CCR?

CCR is short for Critical Creative Reflection. It is what we’re tasked with to reflect the film intro made, and the process in which it took to do so. A CCR is also composed of four questions that must be answered creatively. As it is in the name, it is crucial to answer the questions in full detail whilst also making it entertaining. That is the most difficult yet important part to this whole operation, because Cambridge could just assign us with a presentation, but to fully test our skills (and something less boring to grade to be frank), CCRs were given to truly make the most of our media studies course. 

 And what is it that we do exactly? 

Like mentioned above, all four questions provided must be answered, with full detail and prevalent research while also being done in a creative way, demonstrating our film creating/designing skills. It makes us put more thought into our portfolio component, challenging us to a project that we might’ve never thought of/done before.

The four questions include:

1. How does the film opening use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?

2. How does the film opening engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

3. How did your production skills develop throughout the project?

4. How did you integrate technologies in the project?

It is advised to split the project into 2 videos/presentations, maybe even four sections, to be able to dive into the question and provide as much information for the answer as possible. Instead of having one long, full video, it would be beneficial to split up the CCR, so the project does not seem rushed, or having crucial information be left out.

Some examples of CCRs include a presentation with clips from the production, social media posts, a podcast, or even a storybook/comic strip/mini play. 

We will be graded on a 10-mark scale based on explanation and 10 marks based on use of technology/creativeness. The higher level (marks 7-10) has a thorough and sophisticated understanding of how meaning was created in the film intro, packed in with comments (critical ones, literally in the name), wide range of examples and continuous engagement with the audience. Whereas the lower level (1-4) of marks means that there is a limited to minimal understanding of how meaning was created, the comments are more on the positives, or not as critical as they can be, there is limited examples/evidence of how they were inspired, and importantly, there was limited to basic engagement. The middle level of 5 to 6 marks is just standard with clear understanding of meaning created and key concepts, clear examples, and clear engagement with all four questions. 

For the use of technical/creative skills, students in the higher level (7-10), show sophisticated and effective technical skills throughout, with a RANGE of creative approaches to engage the audience. At the lower level (1-4), participants show basic/limited technical skills, there is normally only one creative approach is used, leading to a limited/sometimes engaged audience. In the middle, the CCRs show clear skills, with more than one approach (which is normally two), which mostly engage the audience. 

Overall, for myself, I focus on the higher level and the lower-level marking especially to ensure that what I am doing matches the higher level and is not reflecting a CCR that might get 3-4 points on the CCR, preventing myself from making the mistakes people made long ago. 

So, what is the plan?

Many people have gone with the idea of doing an interview or like a press tour type interview to promote a movie, although it sounds great, it has become overdone. 

For the first two questions (since this is part one): “How does the film opening use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?” And “How does the film opening engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?” , I am filming the CCR as if it was a food competition, such as Chopped, the interviewee is given a box with the ingredients to make a mystery dish but also a piece of paper with the questions, so it is a physical and mental challenge, balancing between slaving on the stove and going into depth about the film opening. Also, it is combining my love for writing and cooking into one, so although difficult, it will be fun. 

That part one of the CCR will include an answer to the first question like “...as feta cheese and caramel were challenging to pair up in this dish, for my film opening I took the warm lighting of a rom com but flipped the switch in dialogue, to represent that even in relationships, you may never know what to expect”. Something like that. Another example is a potential answer to the second question where I could be “looking out for the host”, point to whomever, and be “With my big tv buddy here, this film opening could reach millions..” and then the interviewee will notice the question was answered incorrectly and respond with “..Oh no, I’m just playing…this opening will connect with specifically the younger demographic, 15-24 let’s say, as the topic of relationships, long-distance, and college is more prevalent in that generation”. [Obviously I'm going to be using these responses in my actual CCR, but with a more developed answer.]

So, let's hope this comes out great or I will be chopped. (haha…get it..)

I'm going to start including my schedule in every blog so you can see in real time what I get done (and don’t get done…)

We on time now :)

• 

  January 18th-20th: Further blogs on idea

• 

  January 27th: blogs due

• 

  February 1st: chose filming location

• 

  February 3rd: Blogs due, reveal title of film intro

• 

  February 7th: ask Frances (again) to be in video and write the plot/dialogue [half done]

• 

  February 10th: figure out costumes, camera, and editing software (AND BLOGS DUE)

• More like the 11th… (DONE)

• 

  February 14th: Get filming down for first 45 - 60 seconds of film intro

• Will probably be moved to the 16th.. (DONE)

• Things occurring on that day may interfere with filming

• 

  February 17th: Blogs due

• 

  February 24th: Blogs due

• 

  February 28th: Get filming done for the second half

• 

  March 1st: Save the day for any refilming needed

• 

  March 3rd: Begin editing process

• 

  March 7th: See if you have time to stop by You Media. 

• 

  Marth 10th- 11th: complete CCR

• 

  March 17th - 21st: Edit CCR and finalize the film intro 

#25 Representation!

What is representation?

Representation is how media texts deal with and present real world identities and issues. According to the BBC: “Media texts have the power to shape an audience’s knowledge and understanding about these important topics.”

Overall, our film intro should present some real world issues, it does not have to be political, but it could be something all people experience (like relationships). Some key terms in representation are anchorage (aka words that go along with images to provide context, like captions), selection (producers choosing what to put into the media text), mediation (a process that overlooks a media text prior to it being shown to an audience), and construction (the way a media text is put together through editing/ camera shots or layout for magazines). Representation includes portraying stereotypes and ideologies (That producers/directors might have or ideologies they are trying to represent). (BBC,2019).

Furthermore, in an article from the Guardian, it speaks on the importance of representation in media.  The “If she can't see it, she can't be it': why media representation matters ” title, makes it clear that through media, we are influenced by what is seen on the screen. And it included statistics that reflected only a small percentage of women were represented in media, (at around the year 2012), and fast forward to now, there is a surge of women in media, which become role models to women and girls around the world, impacting their life. So even though media texts contain fictional characters (most of the time), through representation it influences real world people.

Who is represented? 

In my film intro, relationships, specifically ones that are long-distance relationships. Additionally, it represents the reality of being in a relationship that looks good, but reveals the actuality within. 

This is shown specifically through the reactions of the girlfriend after hearing the news of her boyfriend’s move to a new state for college. In the beginning of the intro, you can tell that she is trying to hide her despair,pain,sadness,--because she does not want the spirit of valentines day to dwindle– while in the second part, a year a later, while she is alone in her room, on valentine’s day, her sadness is not hidden, rather you can see how uncomfortable she is without him, basically how big the move impacted her. Just like how many relationships end up. It provides something the audience can relate to: the powerful feeling of love and heartbreak. 

Catch me next time as I plan my CCR!

---

I'm going to start including my schedule in every blog so you can see in real time what I get done (and don’t get done…)

We on time :)

• 

  January 18th-20th: Further blogs on idea

• 

  January 27th: blogs due

• 

  February 1st: chose filming location

• 

  February 3rd: Blogs due, reveal title of film intro

• 

  February 7th: ask Frances (again) to be in video and write the plot/dialogue [half done]

• 

  February 10th: figure out costumes, camera, and editing software (AND BLOGS DUE)

• More like the 11th… (DONE)

• 

  February 14th: Get filming down for first 45 - 60 seconds of film intro

• Will probably be moved to the 16th.. (DONE)

• Things occurring on that day may interfere with filming

• 

  February 17th: Blogs due

• 

  February 24th: Blogs due

• 

  February 28th: Get filming done for the second half

• 

  March 1st: Save the day for any refilming needed

• 

  March 3rd: Begin editing process

• 

  March 7th: See if you have time to stop by You Media. 

• 

  Marth 10th- 11th: complete CCR

• 

  March 17th - 21st: Edit CCR and finalize the film intro 

References:

https://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2013/nov/12/media-representation-matters

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9fx39q/revision/1