Its idea time power point

 

Polly- why it works

The previous Hurtwood opening title sequence called ‘Polly’ worked in my opinion really well. In the sequence a approximately 17-21 year old woman plays outside in the garden and then goes inside where she sits down at a table but her presumed family has been brutally murdered, she treats them like puppets. The nondiegetic soundtrack, a cover of happy birthday in a slower tempo, instantly sets the mood and hints that something is wrong even as the viewer just sees her playing outside.  There are multiple close ups of a table filled with birthday cakes at the start. A shot then reveals Polly playing outside she is alone and isolated a typical theme in horror movies which is highlighted as the shot is filmed at a wide angel proving her isolation as nobody else can be seen. The slow pasted sequence consists of simple cuts thereby not distracting form Polly. I believe the scenes simplicity allows it to flourish as the viewer does not really have to concentrate and therefore is likely to read the titles. A creepy and unsettled feeling is being created form the start and the lack of information presented to the viewer creates interest.

Key learnings from previous Hurtwood openings

When looking at older title sequences there are certain patrons in them that work and don’t work. Arial shot usually seem convincing and often offer stunning images. Narrative driven peace are often really entertaining but especially when they feature a lot of dialogue don’t really resemble a opening title sequence but rather a tow minute short film with some titles thrown into the mix. Sequences featuring no dialogue but a simple a to b journey most often stand out and hit the right nerve as there is a story which can be exciting while not being to distracting from the credits/titels. These kind of title sequences constantly present new locations or new parts of a location keeping it interesting. Many of the opening sequences seem in parts repetitive especially the ones shot in one location featuring a lot of close ups. These concepts work for mostly for half a minute, after this point in time they start to be reparative. Openings starring only teenagers often seem armature like, as it often seems unrealistic, it seems like the directors wanted to hide the fact that these are infect teenagers. Age-appropriately casting can elevate a sequence just like fitting locations. Scenes filmed on location with a few exceptions always feel real which again elevates the hole scene.  Slower pasted sequences featuring excessive camera movement often intrigue. The placement of the titles can either ruin shot composition or raise the quotiety of the scene in general. Sequences featuring shots where the environment or characters impact the titles always stand out. 

Starting to develop ideas

 

Austin Kleon an US-American author is most famous for the quote ‘Steal like an artist’. He means to
combing impressions and ideas of creations to one new product. For example look at peace’s of media that had an influence on you, no matter if movies, books or any other kind of media. What do they have in common? What are the themes that appear through your list? 

 

My list: 

-Juno

-Rocket man

-Star Wars

-Community  

-Tschik 

-Minecraft 

-The smurfs 

-Minions 

-Ytitty 

-Brooklyn 99

 

Many of the media texts on my list feature characters who cope with tragedy through humour. A sense of escapism is in most of the texts. 

 

Another way to start creating ideas is through playing the ‘what if’ game. Simply think of anything for example Toys, what if Toys could talk and have their own life? The result toy Story. Or Dinosaurs, what if we could bring Dinosaurs back? The result Jurassic Park. 

Sources:

https://austinkleon.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Kleon

Kyle Cooper

Kyle Cooper is a graphic designer and director of opening title sequins born on Friday the 13^th and is quite ironically most known for his work on horror films like Se7en, which was covered previously on this blog,  or American Horror story series. He has produced a wide range of titel sequences differing instanly. Additionally to his work on horror he did multiple Super Hero movies or Familey comedy movies like Home Alone, cooper is also well known for his work on TV like for the oscars or ESPN and his work in the video game industry like for Resident Evil. Copper co-founded Prolog Films who since their start in 2003 established themselves as a well known team of directors and designers focusing on Title sequences.
 

His style isn't defined by a genre but rather by patterns. His title cards or rather his typography most often feature movement. This can differ from the hectic glitching movement of his horror work or the slow-moving floating work on pictures like Home Alone. 

The opening titel sequence of the  4^th Mission impossible movie ‘Ghost Protocol’ by director was disgend by Kyle Cooper.

The sequence portrays a fuse being light which then passes by different parts of the narrative. The sequence interduces the multipale side carechkteres as well as the pratagonist Ethen hunt (Tom Cruise) allthough the audiance allready know these actors the sequence interduces the tone of the sequence as well as offering some exposition to viewers who havent seen the previous movies. The flashing colours and fast motion in the sequence is hinting an action adventure. The fast wipes highligth this. There is a non diegetic orchestral soundtrack wich is a version of the main theme wich ewokes memorys of the privious movise the soundtrack  througth the sequence connects the diffrent locations and acctions as it is consitent everything. The sound of the ligth fuse is pleonastic, reminding the audiance of the constant passing of time. The sequence is fast pasted and often hides cuts with fast pasted mvment therby intesifing the action. The white opening credit contrast to the mostly darker toned rest of the sequence making them easy to read. The opening titles are part of the sequence the ‘Mission imposible’ is being created through to fuses coming together connceting the titel and symol of the films. The ‘Ghost protocol’ appears like a typical ghost. The sequnce sucsessfuly interduces the genre and main characters of the movie while enableing the viwer to read the opening credits. 

Sources:

https://www.artofthetitle.com/designer/kyle-cooper/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178204/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Cooper