Art of the Title

  I have chosen to analyse film openings in order to develop my knowledge and understanding of the functions, features and conventions of them.  In doing so, I will be able to transfer my knowledge into the planning of my own film to make it fit media conventions.

 

    The film opening I have chosen to analyse is "The Avengers," released in 2012.  This sequence is very effective in the way it portrays ideas for the film. It also has a strong sense of marketability and genre as the opening shows scenes of the superhero's costumes.  This straight away informs the audience about what the film is about and how it would be marketed for the ages of 15-24 and people who have an interest in comic books.  However, as this is a film with superheroes from other films, this film would also have an inherited audience.  For example, people who watched the Hulk might have more of an interest in this film.

 
  The opening sequence of this film is very interesting and intriguing which would hook the audience's attention.  For example, a clever use of integrating the titles along with the props shown has been used. In the image above, the broken glasses relate to the character of the Hulk and the title sequence that follows is the actor who plays the Hulk.  This helps the audience to associate the actor with the character rather than just a random sequence at the beginning with different actors in the titles.

  Another aspect of the opening sequence is the damaged, broken and tarnished armour and costumes which also intrigues the audience if they haven't already seen the previous film.  This clever opening doesn't force ideas of action straight away but makes the audience question what might have happened.  For example, many action films, especially the Superhero genre, mostly uses high octane action at the start to grip the audience.  However, this sequence uses the ideas of connotation to draw people in.  Therefore, the damaged armour makes tells the story that fighting has taken place which would draw the superheroes together, linking in to the storyline of the film.

  One feature of an opening sequence which is also very important is the variety of shots used.  If a film opening was to have a limited use of camera shots, especially in an action/superhero movie, the audience might not be intrigued to watch the rest of the film as it might lose tension and continuity.  However, in this opening sequence, the variety of camera shots used vary ranging from tracking close-ups to long shots.  Another aspect of this opening which makes it more interesting is the clever camera work where there appears to be an abstract object on the screen which is then zoomed out of to reveal a costume or prop, therefore keeping the marketability of the film hooked.  Also, focus pulls have been used effectively when it comes to the titles being revealed which is another feature that makes the opening sequence, as a whole, very interesting and exiting to watch.

  Finally, one important feature which is said to have a 50% importance, along with the 50% visual effect, is that of the use of sound.  The correct use of sound is vital when it comes to an opening sequence as it can enhance what is seen on the screen and build up more tension.  On the other hand, if sound is not used effectively and is not genre appropriate or doesn't match the visuals, it can divert the audience's attention from the film and all the tension could be lost.  However in this opening sequence, sound - in the form of background music - has been used effectively to create a tense atmosphere and build up the plot.  The music in the opening is gripping and jumpy at the start which, combined with the images of worn and damaged armour and costumes, creates a good overall atmosphere which is tense and slowly introduces the storyline.
  


Time line of the Title Sequence

Above is a picture of the time line of the opening sequence of the avengers.  From this, it is clear that the important people involved with the production and development of the film are mentioned at the start such as the director, producer, story by etc.  Any above the line talent such as the big actors in the film are mentioned in the middle of the sequence, mostly to tie in with the costumes.  Another feature of the time line for the opening sequence is how the titles are regular in appearance.  For example, the sequence doesn't have no titles to start with and then lots of titles bunched together. The constancy and regularity of the titles make it easier for the audience to read them and also, it makes the sequence flow with more continuity.  Therefore, when it comes to developing a storyboard in the planning stage of my film, I will try and apply some of the features of the opening sequence, such as the title order and regularity, in my own work in order to fit in with media conventions.