Today in lesson we were asked to Analyse horror opening titles. By looking at other horror opening titles it will inspire ideas for my final task and help me understand what works well and why. Also what I like and why.
In the opening titles to Seven you don't see any clear setting. However from the props used and what happens throughout the titles you can assume it is set somewhere inside a room, enclosed in a study/office. This could either be a set or location. The setting on its own wouldn't tell you about the genre itself.
The props used in the opening titles are things such as blades, books and scissors. The use of sharp objects that usually suggest something bad. They suggest pain and harm. This starts to suggest the genre is horror.
The lighting is low key and artificial. Shadows are used on the book and in the titles to create tension, as it is the fear of the unknown. Shadows are just of a figure, you can only guess what or who it is. You don't know what the character looks like or who it is. You are kept in the dark, creating the sense of fear. For example you get flashes of red light. This colour is usually used to suggest danger. The shadows and lighting also highlights parts of the book that they want you to see, creating mystery.
The only movement you see in the titles is the arm of the character. This is quite 'normal'. However it is added together with fast editing. This shows a big contrast, creating tension and building suspense.
My First Analyse-
In the opening titles to Seven you don't see any clear setting. However from the props used and what happens throughout the titles you can assume it is set somewhere inside a room, enclosed in a study/office. This could either be a set or location. The setting on its own wouldn't tell you about the genre itself.
The props used in the opening titles are things such as blades, books and scissors. The use of sharp objects that usually suggest something bad. They suggest pain and harm. This starts to suggest the genre is horror.
The lighting is low key and artificial. Shadows are used on the book and in the titles to create tension, as it is the fear of the unknown. Shadows are just of a figure, you can only guess what or who it is. You don't know what the character looks like or who it is. You are kept in the dark, creating the sense of fear. For example you get flashes of red light. This colour is usually used to suggest danger. The shadows and lighting also highlights parts of the book that they want you to see, creating mystery.
The only movement you see in the titles is the arm of the character. This is quite 'normal'. However it is added together with fast editing. This shows a big contrast, creating tension and building suspense.
My Second Analyse-
My Third Analyse:
The opening titles to Insidious are set in a house, the opening
scene is in a child’s bedroom. It looks
as if the setting was a location picked by the production company rather than a
built set for the purpose of the film. The setting is probably considered a ‘normal’
family home. So this it’s self doesn't really imply the genre.
However other things
such as the way it has been filmed, combined with lighting can completely
change the perception of the setting, and create the sense of the horror genre.
Many props have been used in these opening titles as they have had to set up
the whole setting of the house especially all the little details to the child’s
bedroom in the opening shot. All the things in the child’s room are typical
conventions to what you would expect to be in a young boy’s room, for example
the lava lamp.
The main thing that makes the opening titles or in actual
fact all horror films, is the lighting and colours used. In the opening titles of Insidious the lighting is low key and the colour red is frequently seen for the titles. The colour red is a colour known for implying danger. So when u see the text in red, you get the feeling that it is a scary/dangerous situation.
The editing of the film helps to build up fear, and tension. The names of directors for example are presented quite slowly. And fade in or out, creating a ghostly effect. However when the actual Insidious title appears, its very quick and edited in quickly to the previous shot to try make you jump; scare you.
Another main aspect to all films and titles; is the sound. The sound at the start of the titles is quite quite and very tense. The sounds are quite sharp. The sound starts to build up towards the actual title of the film, however just before it goes quite again. Before when the titles actually appear and sound gets louder and sharper again to make you jump, scare you. as you are not suppose to expect it.
The composition of the first shot of the light, had it placed right in the middle. This led your eye straight to it. If it had been at the side of the shot then it would't have been so effective. It then tilts to the boys bedroom, where you are at the end of the bed. Creates the feeling with the pans and tilts like you are there, walking through. And watching. This creates more fear because it feels more personal to you.
In my first couple of analysis of horror movie opening titles I have noticed that the titles are all very abstract. You can’t really analysis the setting too much for example because you aren’t really shown this. This has inspired me to investigate into horror titles that show more of a setting and a clear opening/link to the film. Therefore after researching into different types of horrors I found the film ‘Insidious’ in this film you are shown the setting to begin with, but in a clever way. This is why I have chosen to analyse this.
The editing of the film helps to build up fear, and tension. The names of directors for example are presented quite slowly. And fade in or out, creating a ghostly effect. However when the actual Insidious title appears, its very quick and edited in quickly to the previous shot to try make you jump; scare you.
Another main aspect to all films and titles; is the sound. The sound at the start of the titles is quite quite and very tense. The sounds are quite sharp. The sound starts to build up towards the actual title of the film, however just before it goes quite again. Before when the titles actually appear and sound gets louder and sharper again to make you jump, scare you. as you are not suppose to expect it.
The composition of the first shot of the light, had it placed right in the middle. This led your eye straight to it. If it had been at the side of the shot then it would't have been so effective. It then tilts to the boys bedroom, where you are at the end of the bed. Creates the feeling with the pans and tilts like you are there, walking through. And watching. This creates more fear because it feels more personal to you.
In my first couple of analysis of horror movie opening titles I have noticed that the titles are all very abstract. You can’t really analysis the setting too much for example because you aren’t really shown this. This has inspired me to investigate into horror titles that show more of a setting and a clear opening/link to the film. Therefore after researching into different types of horrors I found the film ‘Insidious’ in this film you are shown the setting to begin with, but in a clever way. This is why I have chosen to analyse this.
