Analysis of title sequences (Jamie)

The Orphanage

Mise en scene

The opening credits to 'The Orpahage' features a lot of use of mise en scene. The wallpaper that is being torn away throughout the credits give you a lot of inclination as to what the film is going to be about. The use of wallpaper being torn away indicates that the film will be about uncovering things and revealing what is not visible on the outside. The wallpaper is very old and dated and sets a dull mood on things.

Another noticable aspect of mise en scene that features in the titles of 'The Orphanage' is the hands that are used to peel away the wallpaper. Having watched the sequence before the credits begin, you come to realise the hands belong to the orphans due to the sleeves. The fact that there are many sets of hands peeling it away suggests that the film will follow these orphan's story as a group and that they will be working together.

Editing

The title sequence uses a fading effect to change from one shot to another. These fades create a kind of eerie effect and atmosphere over the credits. It is a good effect to use in a thriller as it puts the audience in the mood and gives them a good inclination as to the nature of the film.

Camera Work

Throughout the title sequence, a lot of camera techniques are used for effect. For example, they make a lot of use of the panning technique. At times, the panning combines with a rotation or a zoom to create a disorientating effect. The use of this effect could be to indicate that the film has a lot of twists and turns thoughout and quite a strange film.

Sound

Each time a piece of wallpaper is ripped from the wall in these credits, a short, high pitched sound is put in over the top to emphasise what is being done and creates more tension and edginess in the viewers mind. This effect could be hinting that the film is going to be quite a sharp, jumpy film.

The soundtrack used over the top of the credits creates a very eerie, sinister mood which is perhaps indicating the tone of the film. The track creates and installs a set mood in the viewer that the people who made the decision to use the track want in order to hint at what people should expect from the film.

Vertigo

Mise en scene

In the title sequence to the film 'Vertigo' I noticed that the people who designed it have taken great care in the composition aspect of mise en scene. The text that appears on screen is positioned so that it is very noticable, but also allows the viewer to take in the imagery that is elsewhere on the screen. They have done this because they feel that the viewer should take in both the titles and the background as they value them at equal importance.



Editing

A lot of Special Effects are used in the title seqence in Vertigo. The special effects used create a highly disorientating effect that, having watched the film, creates a mood that fits well with the rest of the film.

Camera Work

Sound

The soundtrack over the top of the title sequence

Sin City