Research Into Opening Credits
Opening credits are shown at the very beginning and name the most important members of the production. They are usually superimposed on a blank screen however are also, on occasion, on top of action. Opening credits become a title sequence when they are built into a separate sequence of their own.
The generic order for opening credits:
Typography
The typography that a film chooses to use in the opening credits is crucial. As mentioned in my typography research, typography has the ability to invoke emotion from the audience. Therefore, the correct typography can help set the scene for the rest of the film. For example, the typography of 'Saw' depicts letters of different sizes that appear slightly smudged; almost as if they're staining the white background. This immediately suggests to the audience that the film is going to be a distorted reality (different sized letters) that will perhaps make the audience feel fear or discomfort (white background is compromised - the colour of purity and peace).
Mise en Scene
The mise en scene on screen can enhance the emotions that the audience is already feeling as a result of the typography, sound, ect. For example, in 'Westworld,' the opening scene depicts machinery creating body parts. From this use of mise en scene, the audience can infer that what they are about to watch has something to do with robotics and the ideology of a physically false creation. This would intensify the already ominous feeling of the audience gained through the flawlessly simplistic typography coupled with the eerie piano music.
Editing
The way the opening credits is edited also contributes to setting the scene. For example, in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo,' a series of slow pans, tilts and zooms are used. The use of these instead of quick cuts makes the opening flow better and consequently allows audience anticipation and a tense tone to form a crescendo uninterrupted; this suggests to the audience that the film is going to be packed full of tense scenes.
The generic order for opening credits:
- (Name of the studio) OR (name of the studio) presents
- (Name of the production company)
- (Name of the film director) e.g. a film by (name) OR a (name) film OR (name)'s (Film's title)
- (Principle actors) Starring (name)
- (Films title)
- (Featured actors) e.g. Featuring (name) OR With (name) OR Also starring (name)
Opening credits may or may not be accompanied by music. Incidental, non diegetic, contrapuntal music is often used to set a scene and give a feel regarding whats in store for the remainder of the film as it helps distinguish the genre. Narrative can be used to introduce characters and give the audience an idea of who will be the lead character.
The typography that a film chooses to use in the opening credits is crucial. As mentioned in my typography research, typography has the ability to invoke emotion from the audience. Therefore, the correct typography can help set the scene for the rest of the film. For example, the typography of 'Saw' depicts letters of different sizes that appear slightly smudged; almost as if they're staining the white background. This immediately suggests to the audience that the film is going to be a distorted reality (different sized letters) that will perhaps make the audience feel fear or discomfort (white background is compromised - the colour of purity and peace).Mise en Scene
The mise en scene on screen can enhance the emotions that the audience is already feeling as a result of the typography, sound, ect. For example, in 'Westworld,' the opening scene depicts machinery creating body parts. From this use of mise en scene, the audience can infer that what they are about to watch has something to do with robotics and the ideology of a physically false creation. This would intensify the already ominous feeling of the audience gained through the flawlessly simplistic typography coupled with the eerie piano music.
Editing
The way the opening credits is edited also contributes to setting the scene. For example, in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo,' a series of slow pans, tilts and zooms are used. The use of these instead of quick cuts makes the opening flow better and consequently allows audience anticipation and a tense tone to form a crescendo uninterrupted; this suggests to the audience that the film is going to be packed full of tense scenes.
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