Media Analysis; Title Sequence, 'Outbreak'

'Outbreak' is a action thriller, starring Dustin Hoffman as a disease expert and Rene Russo as his ex-wife. Disruption of the equilibrium occurs after an African monkey carrying a lethal virus is smuggled into the U.S and an outbreak occurs in a California town; a dangerous airborne virus threatens civilisation. In need to control the disease the doctors must fight agains't the clock to save the town and it's residents, especially the Army intervenes to handle the situation.

In comparison to, 'Red Lights' unlike the title sequence for, 'Gone girl' it doesn't consist of production logos at the very beginning. Again connoting that the movie doesn't need the iconography of a well-known high budgeted movie production to advance their views, but relies on good quality camerawork, editing and narrative. The ideology of having no production logo signifies the fast pace of the narrative. For example, the title sequence for, 'Gone girl' had a production logo taking up 30 seconds of the screen time whereas, 'Outbreak' goes straight into the narrative with a establishing shot of the African jungle, connoting to the demographic the narrative moves along swiftly keeping the audience's eyes glued to the screen for the entire length of the film.

Giving the expectation, 'Outbreak' is a 1995 movie the lighting is de-saturated, slightly low key lighting, with the brief scene of high key lighting in the very first shot. This conforms to Todovoro's
narrative theory as even though the film as already been connoted as a fast pace moving narrative, the short opening scene using high key lighting is signified as the equilibrium due to the bright happiness normality in the lighting used.  After the clear connotation of distruption of the equilibrium ( denoted from the explosion) the lighting switches to low key however in a different location. By having damage caused in one scene and the effect carrying over into another scene, connotes the worldwide issue or conflict occurs by that damage, creating enigma to the target audience as to what is actually going on and what as happened.

Within the shots, camerawork and editing, there isn't many cuts, connoting a continuous flow of the narrative also conforming to the ideology that the film consists of a fast pace narrative. Unlike the other two title sequences i have analysed, 'Gone girl' and 'Red lights' this title sequence subverts the conventions of a thriller film opening, by jumping straight into the narrative whereas, 'Gone girl' as a build of montage shots to allow the target audience to get familiar with the surroundings and male protagonists before the narrative starts, in similarly where, 'Red lights' leaves enigma to the demographic by subliminal editing of montage shots of different props leaving hints of the narrative and star persona of characters. 'Outbreak' doesn't allow the target audience to have any time for enigma in the filming opening from the denotations of leading straight into the narrative. 

Non-diegetic soundtrack is very minimally used in the beginning of the title sequence, parallel and synchronous to the image connoting an musical African tribe soundtrack linking to the African jungle image represented, the fast pace of the soundtrack is synchronous connoting as a heart beat as the target audience watch a scene of a monkey escaping a fire. After the equilibrium as been disturbed and the location as changed, diegetic soundtrack of voices and mechanical devices is heard, connoting the effect one thing has worldwide and signifying comparison between the two juxtaposed locations, leaving the demographic in enigma to how this link has occurred.  

Media analysis; Title sequence, 'Red Lights'

2012 Thriller, 'Red Lights' is about professional skeptics played by Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver, try to prove that a famous psychic is lying about his ability.

Unlike the title sequence for, 'Gone girl' it doesn't consist of production logos at the very beginning, this connotes that the movie have the ability to make it by itself with a powerful narrative. It also signifies it relies on other iconography such as famous well-known actors such as Robert De Niro to connote to the audience that it is a good movie (denoted from the first shot being graphics of his name), therefore the connotations of a well-known production company is not needed. Similar connotations from the production logos, the well-known actors used signify to the demographic an understanding within the genre or style of movie from previous movies he/her may have starred in. However the oppositional view subverting the demographic being able to connote the film; is that the movie goes against the predictions of the target audience and place the actor in an character which he or she wouldn't have played before.

Low key lighting is used the title sequence, up to 1:11 when it takes a strong contrast into very bright high key lighting. However even though the shots are split into high key and low key lighting throughout the production it is continuously in black and white filter. This connotes a sense of mystery thriller genre as the high contrast between the two basic colours allows the editors to hide information in the shadows or expose it in the light, also creating enigma to the demographic to weather the entire film will be in black and white.

After watching the title sequence for the third time, i noticed at the very beginning subverting the ideology of the title sequence being entirely in black and white filter. Glared, out of focus, shots of a red light is visible in the first 20 seconds of the film opening. The producers have placed it with the graphics of the title, 'Red Lights' to connote the importance of the title and the meaning behind it and how that plays in the narrative of the film. This also creates enigma to if the white glared lights denoted previously are also red lights, however with the black and white filter placed over the top. This signifies the genre to be exposed in the first 20 seconds as an mystery thriller.

Very similar to the mystery thriller, 'Se7en' all the shots are filmed closely, signifying a link between the two sharing the same genre, making close up shots of props an convention to the genre. However unlike, 'Se7en' the movie, 'Red Lights' film opening as an match on action, close up shot of an eye, this includes an character in their production, signifying information from the eye from the famous quote, 'an eye is a window to someone's soul'. However cleverly the editors and producers restrict this information as the shot is filtered in black and white. At a signified level the denotation of the eye can act as a subliminal message to the demographic about the narrative, connoting an perceptive or view of one person. All the shots are edited together to make a montage of shots, in a subliminal editing famous, making cuts between the shots hard to discover. This connotes the fast pace sense to the narrative, letting the target audience know the movie isn't boring. In the title sequence a large ratio of shots are of pictures, new papers and reports signifying the crime genre giving the demographic a small insight the star persona of the protagonist and the narrative, without giving too much away and creating enigma.

Non-diegetic soundtrack is present from beginning to the very end. This signifies as a cover-up of information that could be represent however the pace and beat of the non-diegetic soundtrack making the target audience weary distracts them from the truth. At no point is any diegetic soundtrack produced leaving enigma as a large amount of information is restricted from the protagonist or antagonist. 

The website which the title sequence was found was: Art of the title

Half-term Filming

During our Half-term break i decided to film some shots at home, however bearing in mind the lighting changes from different locations. To aid this i used a one point lighting and natural lighting to experiment with the shots. Firstly i filmed a shift of focus on a ripped and crumbled photograph, using a sheet of black card in the background to darken the shot effectively. The second shot i film, involved the prop of a heart. I purchased an animal heart from the local supermarket, and took experimental shots with i believed would be useful to have in our project.

All evidence of the filming is presented below. 

Media Essay, Title sequence, 'Gone Girl'

Psychological thriller, 'Gone Girl' is a 2014 movie about Nick Dunne and his wife Amy starred by Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. The equilibrium is interrupted when Amy Dunne goes missing and Nick is put under the light of accusations.

In the title sequence the movie doesn't start until 30 seconds into the production. The very start of the movie the producers logos are shown in this case it is twentieth century fox and regency enterprises. Regency enterprises includes a library of over 100 titles and distributes it's film worldwide, connoting the film will have a wider broad target audience as it is issued worldwide. Also before the movie starts a black screen with the graphics, 'a David Fincher film'. The typography of the name, 'David Fincher' is capitalised, enlarged and bolded to engage the attention of the target audience, connoting it has important information as it will be the first thing they will notice and remember. For the demographic whom have seen a film directed or produced by David Fincher will have an understanding into his style in his films and can signify and predict the style or theme of the film they are about to watch.

The lighting used is low key throughout the production, this conforms to the expectations of a thriller movie, as the dark shadow like scenes connote a weary tone in the atmosphere. Lighting is a clever way to set the mood for the rest of the film and shift emotions onto the audience. For example, 'Gone Girl' uses low key lighting throughout the title sequence connoting the rest of the movie to conform to this theme, and making the demographic  become sad and weary for the characters in the narrative. 

In the title sequence for, 'Gone Girl' all the shots are long and paced connoting the tiresome and lack of fight the husband has which is clear in his voice within the voice over. Camerawork such as panning is mostly used, this technique shows more area than the frame can hold, or reveals more information. For example, one of the ending shots is an establishing shot of a neighbourhood, the camera slowly and steadily pans to another house, connoting the importance of that house. This makes the house stand out and create enigma within the demographic of why the house has such great importance and who lives there. The reduced sign outside of the house, signifies the house is empty and had been for a long time (since the price as been reduced), leaving the target audience with enigma to how this house will tie in and play a part in the narrative. 

Within the most effective title sequences the narrative is restricted however giving enough subliminal hints to keep the audience engaged and hooked, to watch the rest of the film. In the film opening the only information we are given is that the husband is very confused by his wife and whats to know what she's thinking and doesn't seem happily married to her this is all signified from the voice-over where the male protagonist says, 'When i think of my wife... i think of spooling her brain, trying to get answers.' This isn't a normal statement to infer to your wife, this leads to connotations of conflict forming between them within the past, that still lingers in their presence. Non-diegetic soundtrack is continuous throughout the film opening as a soft low harmony soundtrack. That is parallel and synchronous to the images however contrapuntal and asynchronous to the voice-over of the protagonist saying, 'When i think of my wife....cracking her skull and spooling her brains to find the answer.' This connotes a conflict grown between them leaving the demographic in enigma. The two different sounds juxtapose each other. With the voice-over over-powering the soundtrack- drowning it out. Signifies that the sweet harmony of the non-diegetic soundtrack is just a cover up to disguise the truth, and the conflicts of their unusual marriage.

The website which the title sequence was found was: Art of the title.

Media Essay, Filming Opening, 'American Psycho

2000 released, 'American Psycho' is a thriller set in New York city 1987, of a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman played by Christian Bale whom lives a second life as a serial killer by night. Most thrillers conform to Todorov's theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium stages within the narrative. However it is vital that the producers use a restricted narrative, as it is a convention of the thriller genre, especially in the opening scene. For example, in American Psycho, only the equilibrium is represented however weariness is connoted from the soundtrack and voice overs used in an ironic method.

A soundtrack is present however isn't continuous throughout the production, this creates weariness on the audience as it sets the mood for the rest of the film connoting the unpredictable events or characters to come. In the very beginning the non-diegetic and voice over soundtrack is parallel and synchronous to the images, however the harsh low sound of the voice-over creates the scene to become weary and a sense of irony from the juxtaposition of what he is saying and what he sounds or what the demographic expects him to be like. The harsh almost demonic voice-over connotes his created a persona to hide his truth self or form, signifying a inner demon attempting to escape.
The soundtrack becomes contrapuntal from the image in the very end shot, this signifies an uneasiness weary feeling on the target audience causing the creation of enigma; which is set in the beginning as a main theme or emotion for the rest of the film. However the voice-over is remains parallel as he pulls of the facial mask he explains how, 'he is not all there' this connotes a subliminal message that all of what he has previous told the demographic about his morning facial and body routine is a up-keeping of a mask with he tricks people with daily where the real him is in the shadows at night when all the morning routine fades away or wears off.

The narrative is restricted yet broad in different terms. For example the in terms of equilibriums, disruption, resolution and new equilibrium stages the information is very restricted, to  create enigma on the target audience, connoting a sense of a deeper narrative in which the brief narrative represented acts as a cover-up to hide the truth, this then leads to signifying the protagonist Patrick Bateman mental state of mind and his impact on the narrative as it progresses. However the narrative is broad in terms of information about the character's morning routine.

The opening sequence subverts the ideology of low key lighting and de-saturated lighting being conventions of the thriller genre. everything is the scenes are bright neutral colours filmed in high key lighting where everything is set out perfectly and neat, connoting the mental state of the character, which  then leads to the narrative. This signifies later reasoning and explanations of the disequilibrium and connotes ideology that the character himself drives the narrative, and is dependent on him. The ideology of the character, 'Patrick' driving the narrative is conformed in the shots. Every shot the same male character is seen and heard in a voice-over connoting his importance and impact he creates on the narrative, this leaves enigma on the demographic to if the character takes the role of a hero or villain. 

Media Essay Film Opening, 'Se7en'

Psychological and crime thriller, 'Se7en' stars Morgan Freeman as William Somerset a retiring police detective who tackles a final case with the help of the newly transferred David Mills played by Brad Pitt. Together they discover a number of elaborate and grizzly murders, soon to realise a serial killer is on their hands (Kevin Spacey)- whom targets people he believes represent one of the seven deadly sins. The narrative of the thriller (and like most thrillers) conform to Todorov's theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium stages. For example, in 'Se7en' the equilibrium is clear and represented as a normal life as an retiring detective taking on his last case, however the disruption is the ideology that it isn't a simple case and Detective Somerset has a much larger deeper, serial killer on his hands. Lastly the resolution and new equilibrium will be solving the murder case and carrying on his his retired life. It is vital within the opening sequence/ credits the producers don't give too much information away, however is interesting enough to keep the target audience engaged for the rest of the movie.

 Se7en has done this effectively through the power of props, all the shots filmed in the opening scene is of props. This restricts the narrative leaving the demographic with enigma. The shots are all focused around a journal, this connotes the great significance and impact it has on the narrative, this causes the audience to be left with enigma as shots are never giving the information within the journal away. Other shots used include a montage of shots, this is used in the opening credits of se7en to condense information in a brief space of time. However the information is subliminal as the shots are edited together using flash cutting, causing shots to move to quickly. Flash cutting editing is throughout the production causing the target audience to be on edge, and signifies the heart beat quicken from beginning- in the equilibrium, to the end in the disequilibrium stages. 

A incredibly important convention for a effective and powerful thriller is low key or de-saturated lighting.  This opening sequence uses both types of lighting, this is effective on the audience as it creates an overall sense of feel and emotion for the rest of the production, exposing the genre straight away, however leaving information (such as fragment of the narrative) in the shadows to draw the audience in closer keeping them on edge. The lighting in se7en is used to highlight key elements, for example in the close up shot of the antagonist, cutting a negative with a pair of scissors, the scene is shot in low-key lighting casting a shadow over the hands of the killer, restricting information the demographic might be able to connote from his/her hands.  However the scissors have light reflecting of them causes them to glare in the darkness, this signifies the danger and sharpness of the object causing the audience to became fearful of the person controlling them.

Power is given to the antagonist in the opening scene as we only see the same person signifying he or she drives the narrative. However the antagonist is also given power within knowledge, as the producers have made a restricted narrative,  causing the audience to know less then the antagonist, which leaves the demographic vulnerable to the narrative to come. The antagonist is lastly given tyranny (cruel, unreasonable uses of power or control) from the montage shots of scenes in the opening sequence, connoting the his or her's drive and ambition is to make others fearful, which is successfully carried out on the target audience.

Last but not least, soundtrack is a vital and if used correctly a powerful convention of thriller. 
The production uses parallel and synchronous music connoting that the audience should make an link or connection between the two. The been harsh pounding tones in the non-diegetic soundtrack connotes the heart beat of the audience, fastening synchronous to the images. The crime thriller genre can also be represented in the soundtrack as the non-diegetic sound gets louder in certain scenes where  a person is present this connotes a sense of cover up where the non-diegetic soundtrack is trying to hide and restrict information from the target audience leading to the belief of cover up for a crime or murder.

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