The Art of Film Title Design

A title sequence should be more than just the beginning of the film…

Blogging and Research

Melissa emailed me and asked if she was on the right track with her blog. I was happy to oblige and found that she was making good progress. I felt that it was also an opportunity to impart some advice and guidance about what she should do next, particularly in relation to the research she is doing into the Thriller Genre.  As I was finishing up the comment I realised that this was useful advice for everybody, so here it is...

"Some advice... 

The post above looks like the result of 'Secondary Research', e.g. you looked things up on the web? Am I right? If so, then you should reference the websites that you drew the information from. 

This research is a great start. Now, I would recommend that you watch some openings and analyse them technically: camera, editing, sound, mise-en-scene. This is another area where the two sides of the course cross-over. :-) 

Also, aim to be 'completist'. I liked that you posted about camera techniques, including examples. You could tie this into the task above. Watch 4 clips. For each one, analyse one area. E.g. watch the opening sequence of 'Lost Highway' by David Lynch and analyse the use of camera work. Then watch the opening of 'Se7en' and analyse the mise-en-scene. And so on. It will help you develop both an understanding of the technical codes and conventions of thrillers while also helping you to develop your skills of analysing specific features."

To summarise:

• Reference sources
• Complete textual analysis of thriller openings
• Break that analysis up into specific areas to focus your learning/understanding

Mouth Taped Shut

Check out this fantastic blog promoting the upcoming release of David Fincher's 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'.

http://mouth-taped-shut.com/

It includes many artistic images on-set, on-location and in the editing suite. Also, you can see the film poster, parts of the script and also the trailer.

AS: The Use of Colour in Film

Here is an email I received from Andrew, an ex-student, now studying film at University, that I felt was worth sharing with you all:

Hey Sir,

Whilst doing some research for Uni I came across this great blog post that explains/shows the use of colour in Film. To save you from reading the whole thing it basically tells you about how Ridley Scott reversed the conventions of colour use in his movie Black Hawk Down and the effects it has in the audience. The thing I found most interesting was the colour chart towards the bottom of the post. Comparing the relationship between what each colour represents and where they are predominate in the narrative is very interesting. In my opinion the colours match very closely to Todorov's narrative theory. 

http://www.outside-hollywood.com/2009/03/color-theory-for-cinematographers/

Just though you might find it interesting as well as your A-level classes!

Regards,

Andy

---

It's great to hear from students who enjoyed studying Media and have carried on doing so at University. One day this could be you! In the mean time, go check out the website - it should be very helpful as you plan your thriller openings.

AS: Semiotics - "The Bad Colour"

Aaron Mahnke, a freelance graphic designer from Boston started writing a post about where he found his desktop background for his computer but ends up discussing M. Night Shyamalan's film The Village and the symbolic meanings of colour in particular red - "the bad colour."

Please take a moment to read the post - it demonstrates that you don't have to be a film maker to understand and care about the connotations of colour; and also offers a picture of the many possible meanings that a single colour can have, dependent upon the individual who is interpreting it.

Oh, and if you have not seen The Village, do so now, it is an excellent example of the thriller genre. Here is the trailer to wet your appetite:

AS: Wong Kar-Wai - In The Mood For Love

Here is the clip from "In The Mood For Love" that I used to demonstrate the importance of colour, lighting and sound.  This scene is so powerful.  Please try to see the whole film and its sequel "2046" if you can.   

Wong Kar-Wai is an amazingly talented director.  There is an interesting essay about the film "In The Mood For Love" here!



Here is another example of colour used effectively, this time from the film "Hero" directed by Yimou Zhang.

AS: Thriller Openings / Title Sequences

Here are YouTube links to a variety of Thriller Openings / Title Sequences for you to analyse and embed into your blogs.

Anatomy Of A Murder

Psycho

The Birds

Se7en

Get Carter

Walk On The Wild Side

Cape Fear

Sin City

Hostage

Lost Highway

The Sixth Sense