Title sequence analysis

Title sequence analysis

I started my search by looking for title sequences through google. I then decided that it would be a good idea to look at title sequences specifically for short films as this is what I am creating. Through researching short film title sequences I will have a better understanding of the length of the title sequence and what is included in it. The title sequence I decided to analyse was found on YouTube, a short film called Run. Looking at the title sequence I can tell the genre is a horror film, even though this is completely different from my genre of domestic comedy it is helpful to look and get ideas from it. This title sequence was 1 minute and 13 seconds long though as I was searching I found some which were closer to 2 minutes.

The title sequence starts as a black screen with the diagetic sound of a man breathing deeply, clearly out of breath as though he has being running away from someone or something. This is an effective start as it engages the audience straight away and creates some tension as to what will happen.




This is then cut to an image of a long road with the production logo. This tells the audience who has produced the film and is something unique to that production company and easily recognizable. This is good as the audience can then recognize previous films from the company and films to come in the future. The use of a long road sets the scene that the film takes place out in the county with nowhere to Run. Horror films often have this set up of a lone house in the middle of nowhere so no one can help you and there's nowhere to go for help. This adds to the horror and suspense.

From this show we then cut to a shot of the corner of the house and a lamp post. This is shown in a fairly shallow depth of field as we can see the house clearly to start with, then there is a focus pull so we focus on the lamp post. At the same time a name is seen in the bottom left hand corner of the screen. This is seen to be shaking at the start of the clip and as the focus pull takes place but shortly after we focus on the image of the lamp post the name also snaps in to focus.

A similar thing happens with the image of the window, the camera zooms in and out slightly until we see the window in focus. Through the netting we see a candle flickering and the name does, this time in the bottom right corner of the screen. This is seen to continue throughout the title sequence to keep in with the theme.

After that there is a pan shot from inside the house which seems to be followed by the light of a torch or candle. The pan shows the audience pictures that are hanging on the walls. This finishes on close up of a black and white photograph of a man and woman. This could be setting the scene as to who lives in the house now or who lived there previously.

The title sequence then shows some furniture in the house and the landing at the top of the stair. These shots show that the house if old fashioned as they often are in horror films. A hand held shot is used to show these and to follow the candle light along the walls. As we see these images more names are introduced. A pot doll is then shown in a rocking chair. This is a horror film classic as there faces are always creepy and so is the rocking chair moving with nothing there to rock it. These shots are used to help the audience establish that the film is a horror and what might be in store if they are to watch the film.

A shot of a photograph of a large white house is used to establish the location of the film but also so back up the horror aspect. Scary films usually take place in these locations telling the audience again that this is a horror film. This shot is a hand held shot as the picture is unsteady. This adds to the tension as it can connote that the character is also unstable because of the things happening in the house. This picture is used to introduce the director of the film to the audience. This is an important feature as if people enjoy the film they may look out for more work by that director. It is also important as  the director gets the deserved credit through having their name shown in the title sequence.

This then cuts to black with the title RUN in capitalized red lettering starting small and far away and quickly getting bigger and closer to the front of the screen. This also has fast dramatic music playing over it, implying that you are in danger or in a chase.

Looking at this analysis of a title sequence i can see that there are lots of things that can be shown in my title sequence. You can include sound effects and dialogue but also set the scene of the film and short character profiles. Through a title sequence you can tell the audience a lot about your film including the production company, the genre of the film, the director and who starred in the film. This was useful research so that I can create a title sequence to fully fit in with my film.