Harry's Title Research

Analysis Of 'Psycho' Title Sequence

How does the title of the film suggest the Thriller genre and create interest/anticipation for the target audience?

The title of the film, 'Psycho', suggests that the film is of the Thriller genre through the use of animation. When the title first appears on the screen, we are shown with a standard font style. However, soon after it is displayed, the word splits into three sections, making it look as though the word has been slashed with a weapon. From this we can gather that the film is possibly going to be centered around an insane killer. However, because this film falls under the thriller category, we can expect that the identity of the killer won't be revealed, and that it will be kept a mystery. This creates anticipation for the target audience as they understand that they're going to have to look for clues in order to figure out the identity of the killer.

The title of the film appearing to be slashed into multiple sections

How does the title of the film further communicate meaning to the audience about the genre or story?

The word 'psycho' suggest that the film is centered around a deranged individual whose actions are erratic. Usually when we hear psycho, we think of something or someone who is a danger to others. This creates a lot of interest for the target audience as the thriller genre is all about enigma and thrilling action, so to watch a film about something/someone who is psychotic is interesting as it may allow us to experience the psychologically insane mind of the individual.

What institutional information is include and how is it presented?

The only institutional information included in this title sequence is 'Universal Studios' and 'Paramount'. This information is simply presented at the beginning before the title sequence begins. However, there are multiple names in the title sequence such as those who wrote the story of the film and the director of the film. These names appear in the same font style as the title but in a smaller size. The names are wiped onto the screen from multiple directions and are positioned at different points on the screen. I believe that the reason they have done this is to fit in with the 'psycho' theme of the film. The use of different direction wipes can be seen as quite disorientating, and to me, this has been done to represent the psycho individual's mind... distorted and confused.

Wipe of names (1)

Wipe of names (2)

Wipe of names (3)

Wipe of names (4)

Is there any additional story information included and why?

There isn't any additional story information included. In my eyes, the reason for this is to keep the enigma of the story true. If you reveal any information to do with this particular story, it may ruin the mystery of it all as it could potentially give hints to major plot points in the story. By keeping the story in the shadows, the audience are left guessing throughout the film.

Are actors included in the title sequence? If so, how?

Similar to what was mentioned above, the actors included in the title sequence are wiped onto the screen. However, the main actors of the film are presented in capital letters and their names appear in the slashed style that the title did. This is done simply to make them stand out and show that they're the actors who will appear the most in the film. Perhaps it also gives hints to the audience as to who will be involved with the psycho? Once again, it gives off a disorientating and distorted feel that makes the audience feel uneasy.

Main Actor Wipe with slashed style (1)

Main Actor Wipe with slashed style (2)

Main Actor Wipe with slashed style (3)

Main Actor Wipe with slashed style (4)

Consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame. Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening.

In terms of this title sequence being effective as part of a thriller opening, it does the job fantastically. Throughout the entire sequence the background is pitch black, whilst the text is pure white. Now a lot of people would think that this sequence is black and white purely because it was created in the 60's (a time when there were a lot of black and white films), but the use of these colours is clever as they can be seen as connotations of the word 'mystery'. When we associate mystery with things, we think of things that are unseen, shrouded away from sight. Black and white help to reinforce this idea.

As well as this, the use of the moving strips accompanying the information of the screen helps to reinforce the idea of the psycho slashing everything. Sure, the slashed text on its own can show this, but using these strips makes it easier for the audience to see and understand that this is the effect the filmmakers are trying to achieve.

Slashed strips accompanying the slashed text

Is the sound included in the title sequence diegetic or non diegetic? How is the title and credit sequence edited to the music?

Non diegetic backing music is included in this title sequence. As soon as the sequence begins, we are able to hear fast paced violins that are fragmented. By this, I mean that the rhythm of the violins is not fluid, and instead stutters. I believe that the fragmentation has been done to represent the fragmented mind of the psycho, which adds to the disturbing feel of the sequence. As well as this, the pitch frequently changes. Once again, this is done to add to the disorientation and distortion of the sequence. In terms of how the titles are edited to the music, the violins change rhythm every time a new name appears.

Consider the relationship between moving image segments of the film and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced and why?

As the film opens up with the title sequence, I am unable to talk much about the order in which they are introduced. However I think that the sequence has been introduced before the actual film just to prepare the audience for what is to come e.g. the disorientation, distortion, fragmentation, insanity etc. This helps with keeping the audience on the edge of their seats, as well as making them feel uneasy about the film before it has even begun.

Analysis Of 'Se7en' Title Sequence

How does the title of the film suggest the Thriller genre and create interest/anticipation for the target audience?

The title of the film, 'Se7en', suggests that the film is of the Thriller genre through the mixture of moving imagery and the title sequence. It is important to note that the filmmakers have used the number '7' for a specific reason, but the reason is unknown to the audience as the film hasn't begun. Because of the mystery behind this number, it creates a lot of interest for the audience as they are now in the position of playing the role of detective, trying to figure out the reason for using '7'. The title of the film, like the rest of the information, is distorted. This is done to show the audience that the events of the film are of a sinister nature.

Title of the film with distortion

How does the title of the film further communicate meaning to the audience about the genre or story?

The use of the '7' in the title is something the audience will keep in mind as it clearly relates to the story. Throughout the sequence we are introduced to a large variety of imagery depicting different objects such as a book, drawings, scribbled text and photographs. However, we only get a glimpse of the objects as the sequence cuts back and forth between the imagery and the title/credit information. By cutting frequently, the title sequence doesn't reveal much, helping to reinforce the common style of thrillers which is enigma. This keeps the audience interested as they have to pay close attention to the screen in order work out what the story might be about. By using moving imagery in the title sequence, it helps the audience to decipher the meaning behind the number '7'.

What institutional information is include and how is it presented?

The only institutional information that is included in the title sequence is 'New Line Cinema Presents', 'An Arnold Kopelson Production', and 'A film by David Fincher'. This information is distorted to fit with the moving imagery in the background. Because this imagery is cut frequently, the audience is given much time to understand what is going on. This may leave the audience confused, so by using a distorted effect on the information, it fits with the confusion of the audience. When the sequence begins, you can see a page about to be turned. Immediately we cut to some institutional information that flips itself. Despite not having any effect on the events being presented, it's a neat way of making the information flow with the cut.

Flipped text (1)

Flipped text (2)

Is there any additional story information included and why?

The only additional story information we are given is the moving imagery. I think that the true reason we're given this information is so that we can try and understand what the motives of the individual in the imagery are. It is clear that the title of the film is linked to the imagery and the individual in some way, otherwise the filmmakers wouldn't have bothered putting it in. However, the audience have to work out the link between them as the imagery is filmed in such a way that nothing is revealed. This stays true to the enigma of the thriller genre.

Are actors included in the title sequence? If so, how?

Much like the title and the institutional information, the actors' names are distorted. As well as this, they are placed in different positions on the screen, some at different angles. It is unclear why angles have been used, but it may have been done simply to make the audience feel distorted and confused. 

Consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame. Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening.

Most of the title and credit information is displayed in a pitch black background. The imagery cuts to this black background, displaying information, and then cuts back to more imagery. However, some of the names have been displayed at the same time as the imagery, but in darker areas so that they are clearly visible. I think that the reason they have done this is to misdirect the audience. Due to the film being called 'Se7en', the audience will be watching the imagery closely for any links. Their attention will be focused on the screen due to the moving imagery that making a name appear would throw them off. By mixing the information with imagery, it directs their attention to names instead. It's a clever way of recognizing actors' names in films as the audience will focus their attention any new details that pop up. The names may also be used to distract the audience, perhaps making them miss some imagery that would've helped them understand the story.

Name of actress appearing at the same time as moving imagery

Is the sound included in the title sequence diegetic or non diegetic? How is the title and credit sequence edited to the music?

There is a non-diegetic backing track playing throughout the entire sequence. This backing track sounds like a lot of radio signals of different pitch accompanied by creaks and a distorted drum beat. The entire track is a complete mess, but that's exactly what the filmmakers want. The distorted information and imagery and frequent cutting fit well with the jumbled sounds of the backing track. It has been done to highlight the disorientation and enigma of the sequence.

Consider the relationship between moving image segments of the film and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced and why?

As mentioned above, most of the titles and the moving image segments have been pieced together. This has been done to draw the audiences' attention to both the titles and the imagery at the same time. Because the sequence is cut frequently, they have to flick between the names and the imagery fairly quick. This can lead to making the audience feel confused, which works perfectly for a thriller film.

Analysis Of 'Silence Of The Lambs' Title Sequence

How does the title of the film suggest the Thriller genre and create interest/anticipation for the target audience?

The title of the film, 'Silence of the Lambs', suggests that the film is of the Thriller genre because it's a confusing and mysterious title for a film. What does it mean by 'silence' of the lambs? The word 'Lambs' is capitalized, so is the title referring to a group of people? The audience is given no information about what the title means, and are left to decide that for themselves. This alone keeps the audience interested as they want to be able to find out more about who or what the Lambs are.

How does the title of the film further communicate meaning to the audience about the genre or story?

Due to not knowing who or what the Lambs are, the audience are given nothing in the way of information regarding the story of the film. The title is so obscure that the audience are left guessing as to what it means. If the audience have gathered that the film is a thriller, perhaps they can figure out the different ideas of the words in the title. For example, 'silence' might refer to silencing (killing) someone. It may also refer to being quiet and sneaky. All of these ideas fit perfectly with the thriller genre, but the audience can never be sure of what the true meaning is. Because the title is cryptic, it adds a lot of enigma. 

Despite the film being in colour, the filmmakers have opted for a black title with a white border around it. The font style is bold and the size is chunky and large. As mentioned in 'Psycho', the use of a black and white title reinforces the idea of mystery as these colours represent two things that can obscure our vision: Darkness and Brightness. The colours also fit well with the dark and gloomy setting of the moving imagery background, showing that this is a film revolving around mystery.

Black and white title reinforces the idea of mystery

 

What institutional information is include and how is it presented?

The institutional information included is the MGM logo', 'An Orion Pictures Release' and 'A Strong Heart/Demme Production'. The first two pieces of this information appear at the beginning of the title sequence and are completely separate from the sequence. No editing has been done to this information as they are company logos. The third piece of information appears with moving imagery in the background. The reason why this information has been put with imagery is probably because they don't have a company logo. There is no information that refers to the director, producers, writers etc.

Is there any additional story information included and why?

The only additional information we receive is a location for the title sequence. The audience are told that the sequence is set in a wood near Quantico, VA. Depending on what country audience members come from, some of them may be able to tell that the location is in the state of Virginia. Using this, audience members may be able to think about what is in Virginia and if it could potentially be included in the film. However, because the filmmakers decided to include the word 'wood' in this piece of information, we can gather that the wood has some importance to it. The filmmakers could have decided to put 'The State of Virginia', but they decided to include the word 'wood' because it allows the audience to start raising questions about the area.

The position of the information allows the audience to clearly see the woodland setting

Are actors included in the title sequence? If so, how?

Aside from the title and the extra story information, the actors' names are the only other information included in the title sequence. Like the title itself, the names are in the same chunky large font. The reason for doing this is to set the mood and atmosphere of the moving imagery. The grey and black of the woodland fits well with the names of the actors, making them stand out and easy to read.

The chunky text fits well with the moving imagery's colours

Consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame. Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening.

As mentioned above, the use of black and white for the title and credit information fits well with the washed out colours of the woodland. This is incredibly effective as part of a Thriller opening as enigma is a key focus in thrillers. In the first section of this analysis I mentioned that the words of the title may have different ideas. It's exactly the same here with the colours. The use of black may represent death, decay, darkness etc. All of these representations link in with enigma, especially when the enigma revolves around murder.

Is the sound included in the title sequence diegetic or non diegetic? How is the title and credit sequence edited to the music?

Once again a non-diegetic backing track has been used. However, instead of beginning when the title sequence begins, the music starts during the 'An Orion Pictures Release' information and flows into the title sequence. The music consists heavily of violins (which seems to be a favourite for Thriller films due to its ability to sound creepy and sinister) and starts off cheerfully. Slowly the music turns sinister as the moving imagery pans down towards the misty woodland. The music accompanies the moving imagery well, building up as the moving imagery reveals more and more of a character. The music crescendos once the character is clearly visible to the audience, allowing them to identify features of the character and begin raising questions.

Consider the relationship between moving image segments of the film and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced and why?

Much like 'Se7en', the titles and the moving image segments are pieced together. The chunky large titles are clearly visible and easy to read and the moving image segments can be seen throughout. The titles have been edited to appear in such a way that they disappear when something important  in the moving image segments is present. This ensures that the important moving image segments are not blocked by the text. This results in the audience being able to see both the titles and the imagery, meaning that they don't miss anything.