Iluzio First Draft

Our First draft of our Thriller opening!

Past student work title sequences

https://prezi.com/6ozccdkhnpsw/past-student-work-title-sequences/#

Leonardo Dicaprio Profile

Leonardo Dicaprio

Dicaprio began attracting the attention of producers, who cast him in parts of roles in a number of television series, such as Roseanne (1988) and The new Lassie (1989), but it wasn't until 1991 that Dicaprio made his film debut in critters 3 (1991), a low budget horror movie.
Dicaprio really wanted to play Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby because he was drawn to the idea of " a man who came from absolutely nothing, who created himself soley from his own imagination". Gatsby is one of those iconic characters because he can be interpreted in so many ways such as : a hopeless romantic, someone who is obsessed or a dangerous guy who is clinging to his wealth.

Dicaprio has been one of the most common actors to appear in thriller films. He has played in many different types of roles and also in many different films such as : Shutter island, The Departed , Inception, Blood diamond, Body of lies and many others. He has won many awards such as: Golden globes - Best performer by a actor in motion picture in 2014, AFI award- Movie of the year in 2014, Austin film awards - best actor in The Departed in 2007 and many others. However had also been nominated for a massive load for the Golden Globes, BAFTA'S, Academy Awards USA, Oscars and many others.

Opening Titles: Past Student Examples‏

Missing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQzHvuPT7E&feature=player_embedded

The opening titles for Missing are very cleverly done and fit well with the theme of the movie. The effect of using newspaper with the groups names on top work well because the story is about a missing girl and it's featured on the front of a newspaper to tell the world of the tragedy. The close up of the word missing emphasis the name and the plot of the film also.

The colours used are very simple and basic black and white to fit with the typical thriller genre and the white words in all caps stand out as the paper is being filmed in the background but words stay in place. Although maybe they could have added a different colour to the words as they keep it the same throughout. Hopefully the use of the newspaper for a title sequence keeps the viewer interested because when you see an interesting story in the papers you want to read on, as so with the groups names. Also the sound used is loud, fast paced and quite intense to build up the tension and again keep the viewers engaged, a title sequence can either make or break the film so it is important for it to be captivating and well done.

Guilty - http://www.youtube.com/feature=player_embedded

The opening titles for this film were all unique and related back well to the films plot, each name was done differently to keep it interesting. For example using computers, post it notes, iPod, writing on a newspaper and highlighting, this is because we first see the main character in their office, so all of these items are office related. This continues for almost a whole minute which I think was far too long as it gave them less time for the actual movie, also some names were unclear. To improve they could have done more close ups of the names and some names are focused on longer then others. They have a lot of distractions around the names, they should've kept it more minimalist as it can be distracting.

Revenge  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me_3YHMot9Q&feature=player_embedded

The opening titles for Revenge show their names by rummaging through a file cabinet and lifting the files up with their names on. As they're rummaging through quickly and messily, it could mean that someone is trying to steal someone's file, someone that shouldn't be allowed inside. The music also suggests a similar idea as it is slow and creepy but also dramatic. This relates to the thriller genre as crime is a key convention also. Every name is shown the same way so to improve they could've shown the names in different ways on different things to do with their film about the girl being interviewed on a crime. The file cabinet was still a clever idea though as this is what detectives use to keep their top secret files in of victims and witnesses, just like the main character.

Title sequence construction

We have started to construct our title sequence. We have used items such as type writes and pen & ink. We have taken inspiration from Se7en's title sequence, this gives it an old effect. We used dramatic music pair with it to create tension and put the audience on edge, This is also typical of thrillers.

Title Sequence: Hannibal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW9ymK2yhG8

This title sequence revolves around a red liquid forming a face. This could be interpreted as being blood. Therefore it suggests that blood and murder are a huge part of that person and make up the plot of that film.

These images have been placed on a white background to allow the image to stand out. The white also juxtaposes connotations of blood, as white is associated with innocence. Therefore the white could be a metaphor for Hannibal's innocent victims.

The title is then displayed, and is quite small in comparison to the screen, and is red. This allows it to be the main focus.

Finally the music is very high pitched and discordant. This will create tension as the audience will feel on edge and uncomfortable.

Final filming summary

Sleepy Hollow title sequence

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow is an American supernatural drama thriller TV series that premiered on Fox on September 16 in 2013.

This whole title sequence really has the supernatural feel coming through because of the characters that are shown but also the lighting and old fashioned look also shows the supernatural theme.

We arent introduced to any characters in the first part however we are shown a horse with a red eye. The use of red is a connotation of danger,blood but lust. We see that this horse is a supernatural animal and possibly could be controlled. However we see that this horse is white, this contrast of the red and white is very interesting. Using white shows us that the horse is pure and innocent. However using both of these colours could show us that the horse is manipulated, controlled or that the horse is manipulating others and hiding the truth. 

We then come to what looks like two lovers coming together. However we only see them in the darkness and never get a close up of their faces which could mean they are possibly already dead. As the connotation of black is death and emptiness. From the scene being in darkness could mean they are hiding from others because their love could be forbidden. As the audience we feel tense because we don't understand whats happening.

Thirdly we come to a book that seems to blur out most of the writing. The only words we can see are "earth", "followed" and "name". These words could be showing us that they are important and they could be foreshadowing whats going to occur later on. However these words are hiding "kill". Crime such as murder is a key convention to thrillers.

She is the only one apart from the man, that we actually see. These characters are shown to us twice each which means they both are important and equal characters. We see her holding a gun which shows us she is breaking the stereotypical type of a female. She is challenging and showing us she is in power. We also see that these two characters possible are the protagonist characters because they seem to be protecting and searching for the supernatural.

 During the end scene we see a town which possibly is the town that everything is happening within and could be could Sleepy Hollow. However we see clouds rushing to cover up the town which could mean that they are in danger and someone or something isn't wanting to keep the town away from everyone else by covering the town up.

Title Sequence: Dexter

The whole of this title sequence has a very murderous feel to it. Dexter is undertaking his usual morning routine but in a very disturbing manner. Blood is dripped, and food is cut in a violent and graphic manner.

Firstly the title of this sequence is red with a blood stain feel. This is due to the smudges and splatters. This therefore suggests that murder or death may play a role within the plot (Dexter is a murderer). This connotation is the juxtaposed with the white back ground which implies innocence. However the white is a slightly 'off white' and could suggest that innocence is manipulated and clouded.

Secondly shaving his throat has a very dangerous feel to it and has connotations of throat slitting and therefore murder. The sound of shaving which is paired with this has been sonically exaggerated. It has a very discordant feel to it and will put the audience on edge. From there we see the blood drip, it is suggested to be from shaving although we do not actually see it. This makes the scene very eerie as suspicious.

                                                                                   

While he was making his breakfast there was a close up of him cutting meat. This could be interpreted as being flesh as it is carried out quite violently. This adds to the murderous feel as the action is very brutal and conveys a feeling of Dexter having no mercy.

Dexter then cuts open and juices a grapefruit. A close up of the pink flesh inside has a look o human flesh. It is a rather graphic shot and is rather disturbing. This will put the audience on edge as they may not trust the actor due to his sheer brutality.

A close up is used while he ties his shoelaces. The first shot of this shows extreme tension and could be interpreted as a strangling image. This is showing Dexter's strength and power, therefore it shows it will play a key role within the plot. It also give the audience something to fear about him.

However all of these violent and brutal shots are then contrasted by him walking out in white, light clothing. These colours are usually associated with innocence and peace, which are clearly not characteristics of Dexter. This has been done to create confusion as the audience will not know how to feel about him.

The music has a creepy circus feel to it. Clowns are stereotypically a large fear for many people, this therefore indicates that Dexter is something to be scared of. The creepiness of the music will put the audience on edge by creating tension alongside with the graphic images.

The editing throughout this is quite slow paced, this is to allow the audience to clearly see what is going on to be able to focus on the graphic images. Cuts are used throughout this to keep it crisp and clear. Cuts also portray a very sharp sense and therefore also have connotations of his violent murderous ways.

Supernatural title sequence

Sanctum Trailer

Sanctum

Sanctum is about a underwater cave diving team experiences a life-threating crisis during an expedition to the unexplored and least accessible cave system in the world. The director is Alister Grierson. Alister has done a few films such as: Kokoda in 2006, Bomb in 2005 and various short films.

This trailer has the excitement, tension and suspense that a thriller trailer wants. As it starts off simple and no complications however suddenly changes the pace and starts with  a quick surpass scene of everything going wrong within the cave.

Sound

We start off this trailer with non- diegetic music to set the mood within the film. We hear off screen music with the heavy breathing and also have over voice off someone talking and telling us the story. We suddenly hit into fast pace and the music has a sharp noise that is unknown. The whole music in general is very dark and mysterious.

We then come into diegetic music with the helicopter flying around the massive cave. We are introduced to another voice that we don't know who's it is and they tell us again about the story but certain key parts of the story "others to chase history".

Then diegetic music is introduced again in the noise of something which we then find out is water. The cave starts flooding and we get painted because we see the characters worried and some even die. We see the struggle and panic in their eyes which makes the audience feel it also. The music becomes so dramatic here because its the key part of the trailer.

Mise-en-scene

We also see that lighting within the cave is dark to create that realistic feel for thee audience. This dark lighting is a key convention for thriller's because it shows the mystery side and tension. We only get to see their faces and the facial expressions are very key for this story because we need to be able to identify and relate to these characters.

The costume really helps us as the audience because it makes everything look so realistic. The costume shows us they are divers and researchers as the props also have all the equipment you would expect to see. Also the lights that they have on the helmets also show us that this is a key prop because its their only source of light and hope to find what they are looking for but also to escape.

Opening Sequence: The Walking Dead

Thriller Opening Titles: The Walking Dead

 

Throughout this title sequence we instantly are shown the tone and atmosphere of the show so we know what to expect. The thrilling continuous music and dark colours are enough to tell us even the most little details about the characters. Once we start hearing the theme song slowing fading in we know its coming and it automatically draws us in for the episode ahead and gets us excited.

Firstly, we see Andrew Lincoln's name with a photo of the main character Rick Grimes in the local Atlanta newspaper, which is where they are from. We can see from his uniform that he is a sheriff and obviously a good one as he is featured in the papers. Straight away we learn who the main character is, his job, where he lives, and what he looks like.

Next we see Jon Bernthal's character Shane, we again see he is in similar sheriff uniform as Rick, showing us he works with him and that they must have some kind of relationship. However his photo isn't in the newspaper, it's in a photo frame, with smashed glass. This can foreshadow his future self as surely enough he breaks down and he's broken up Rick's family.

Third we see Sarah Wayne Callie's character Lori Grimes. We don't learn as much from her photo but again it's smashed and covered with dirt. Although in the pilot episode we see the full photo and it's of her, her husband Rick and son Carl. She appears happy but from the surrounding glass and dirt we can guess that this may not be true, it portrays the broken family and the dirt may show she could be the reason why. 

Then throughout we are shown different key features of the episodes or key features of characters. For example the first picture of the house is one of the houses Rick visits looking for gas and finding dead bodies inside, the first dead people he's seen since he woke up from his coma.
 The RV is one of the key features of season 1 as it belongs to a member of the Atlanta Survivor Group, Dale and doesn't travel without it. It's also what they use to sometimes sit in, take shade or wash.

Laurie Holden's name is shown across a shot of the empty city of Atlanta, we don't learn anything about her character, Andrea, from this but we get an idea of what they city now looks like after it's been attacked and abandoned. As we don't learn anything about Andrea from this, we can assume she may not be as important as the other 3 main characters who we do see.

From then on we carry on seeing shots of the city, such as an empty, burnt bus, the police station Rick once worked in, empty hospital he woke up in, empty train tracks, and of course the famous shot of the entrance to the city with one road completely over run as people tried to get out and the other empty. From this we can learn the setting that the show will be set in and what it looks like post apocalypse. Also we are introduced to the main 3 characters and basic facts about them and hidden messages about how they are now. The hidden foreshadowing about them creates mystery and can make us want to know more about them. It then finishes off with the shows title name and the tense music slowly fading out, telling you the actions about to begin.

Hannibal title sequence

Title Sequence

This title sequence isn't as complicated and as long as the others that I've looked at. However its full of mystery because we don't get to see the end product until the very last second. We see red liquid that could be blood or looks like red wine. When the liquid splashes its pushed aside by something in the way.

We don't see a character or a story just something growing and forming. However the text of the actors ands actresses names are in simple font however they are effective because they have the feel of thriller.

As we get closer to the end we get a closer look of what's forming. It looks like flesh and blood forming a human face. The use of this look could be showing us that things take time to develop and people don't change quickly it happens over a period of time.

We come to the finished product of a human face. We can tell if its a protagonist or the antagonist because its not giving anything away and only creating mystery. It also is telling us that this person has possibly they have lost the way in life and their identity.

Opening Sequence: Teen Wolf

Thriller opening titles: 

Teen Wolf

The dark and intriguing opening credits here give you a good idea of what tone the show is following and the thriller genre, and also sets the mood. A lot of it is based upon light vs dark contrast which can tell you a lot about the characters personality's...

Each clip that shows different characters tell you a little about their story, for example 

Tyler Hoechlin's character Derek, we see him screaming and bursting out ashes, this can represent the fact his family is killed in a fire and he lives with the guilt and the ashes all over him can show he's still covered with the memory of it. 

We see Colton Haynes character Jackson 3 times throughout, one of him in his lacrosse uniform, another sitting with Lydia. The first one we see him 'stab' Tyler Posey's character Scott in the back which shows he's not afraid to take out the main guy to be the centre of attention and the second time we see him he is the main focus and looks like hes about to score a goal. Image and social power is important to him which is shown throughout. The clip with Lydia is also important as it shows her clinging onto him and he looks like he could not care any less about their relationship. 

 

When we are first introduced with Tyler Posey's character Scott we see him in what appears to be like a shower, and perhaps embracing his new power as a werewolf, and his moment is then ruined as Colton Haynes character comes in and steals the spotlight as he tackles him. 

When we see Holland Roden's character Lydia, we first see her flip her hair back in slow motion, representing her wild side with her hair and the way she stares at the camera. We then see her get pulled back into the dark looking surprised/confused and it appears forced, which is similar to her story line of being pulled into this world and not taking it too well as she wants no part of it

. 

Next is Allison aka Crystal Reed, we see her kiss Scott but that image quickly disappears as leads onto her about to shoot an arrow which represents her hunting side, but there is a few images of the same thing, which could show there are more layers to her then we see. 

 

Throughout the title sequence we see a lot of black ink on bodies, which could  have a hidden meaning and symbolize that it is important because it reoccurs three times. 

The use of light vs dark is clear in clips, the background is always black. For example when the water is spraying all over Scott, when Jackson comes from being in shadows, to when Stiles (Dylan O'Brien) is beside a car with bright headlights to walking infront it blocking the light. He looks willing to walk across the lights and hide himself in darkness which could represent how he's willingly part of his different way of life. 

We can also learn who are the most important characters by the fact Scott is shown 4 times, Lydia & Allison shown twice, Derek and Stiles once and Jackson three times. 

Throughout this title sequence it really creates a great sense of what you can expect from the show and what it's about, also all the mysteries behind what the characters are doing in this can lead you to wanting to know more about them and what everything symbolizes.

Opening Sequence: Twister

Thriller opening titles:

Twister

http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00191-Twister

The first thing we notice is the dark settings used as the background looks like a dark, stormy sky and we start hearing sounds of winds picking up to build tension, then the chunky 3D words appear onto the screen. The names of companies appear slowly on the screen and then when it shows the word 'Twister' it's all a lot more fast-paced. This is just like how a tornado starts, winds slowing swirling around and then all of a sudden a tornado touches down. They looked like they have been dragged onto the screen in the eye of the storm by the wind and then disappear again as though the wind took the words with it, coming right at the screen like they will hit you. 

Kyle Cooper created this title sequence in 1996 as he was fond of picking words from the dictionary and create graphic drawings out of them to illustrate their meaning. 

The opening titles for Twister are relatively short but create a powerful atmosphere and meaning as it really gets straight to the point by telling you what to expect from this film. The mood is dark and trying to make you feel petrified of the storm as it is approaching. The way the storm then fades away onto the first scene of a bright sunny day is a great contrast between the two different types of weather to really show you the big difference to how the sky usually looks on a normal day and when a storm does comes. It really reflects a moment of what natural disasters can do and the power of destruction it has.

Title Sequence: American Psycho

https://prezi.com/pq0ert36xi9d/american-psycho/

Opening Sequence: Dexter

Thriller opening titles:

Dexter

Within this opening sequence we see Dexter going through his daily morning routine like everyone else, however we can see there is a hidden message behind each thing he does which link/foreshadows murder. For example the first thing we see is him kill a bug on his arm with his bare hands without any disgust about the little blood, then we see the blood red words 'Dexter' across the screen with dripping blood which clearly relates to his joy of murdering. The background behind the text is plain, with dark shadows around the edges which contrast well with the red.

 Then we see Dexter shaving his facial hair and accidentally cut himself whilst doing so, this could be a metaphor for perhaps slicing someones throat, with the blood dripping down into the shower and soaking the tissue. Next we see him cooking his breakfast, with closeups of his hand using a large knife to slice open the meat packet and the meat, which can symbolise cutting/stabbing someone. As well as the cracking of the egg, eating the bacon, with the ketchup which looks like blood dripping over it.

 The way he cuts the orange, squishes it and makes his coffee all look like ways he could be murdering somebody and the way he wraps the tooth floss around his fingers and the shoe laces can show a way he strangles people. When he puts his tshirt over his head we see an outline of his face, this could be portraying him straggling someone. The way it finishes is Dexter looking right into the camera with a deadly look in his eyes, and then goes outside looking surprisingly happy, yet like he is up to something. 

The whole opening that is all closeups of his actions in slow pace, is creating the suspense and building the thriller genre that makes the audience feel curious to what he will do next and how, and perhaps threatened.