comparing The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo title scene with Seconds title scene!

In comparison to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Seconds has a different approach of playing the titles.

I researched on http://www.artofthetitle.com to compare the difference.

Instead of TGWTDT's idea of using a repeated small font on a less engaging background. The film Seconds uses a large font on top of a shot of interesting visuals of human parts for example, the eye. This means the audience still take notice of the title and the names because they are larger, whereas in TGWTDT the focus is on the small title as the visuals are limited.

 

     Seconds

                

                     The Girl with the dragon tattoo






Also, I noticed that TGWTDT title timings of how long they stay on the frame is rather irrelevant and the level of importance of the names was shown by the time they were shown (early or late). Whereas, I noticed that SECONDS held the title of the more important names on screen for longer, and the less important were removed quicker. Also, the less important titles were put together on the screen, which sped up the titles sequence whereas TGWTDT was quite long.

Seconds 

In SECONDS the main actor was introduced first (first title) at 00.18. Rock Hudson was introduced before the director, in comparison in TGWTDT the director was emphasized hugely by being introduced before any other individuals names. However, they were both repeated to highlight the directors importance.

Nevertheless, I realised that both TGWTDT and SECONDS introduced the main title of the name of the film, early on. 

                                 00.41

                                 00.24

They also both used very dark, mysterious and gloomy colors as well as white writing on a dark background which was frightening and tense. 

analysing the titles of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I researched on artofthetitle.com to analyse The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's opening titles.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo/

The first title that appears at 00.07 and it is introducing the film company production team, which is Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pictures. The title is in white on a black background reinforcing the importance of these companies. I noticed that Columbia Pictures was written first maybe suggesting they were the production team most important and influencial in the making of the film.

At 00.10 the opening scene introduces the production team stating "A SCOTT RUDIN-YELLOW BIRD production". The names are in capitals and bold writing making them stand out.

At 00.13 the director is introduced again with a white writing however more imagery on the background shot is introduced. A dark shot of moving water is present. The director is David Fincher, he has his own shot to introduce him. His shot is only played for a second but as only his name is written I feel like he is still emphaised and focused on.

So far all of the titles have been placed on the same point on the frame, which is at the bottom centre of the shot. Also, I think all of the titles slightly shrink in size throughout the shot.

However, at 00.16 Daniel Craig, the main character, is introduced on the left of the frame. He is the first character introduced, suggesting he is the most famous or important actor in the film.

Next, the other main character name is presented. Her name is Rooney Mara and her name is present on the top right of the frame at 00.19. 

Then, the main title of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is introduced. The title is large taking up most of the shot frame. As it is the biggest title so far, it is being emphasised the most. The writing is less white and more grey yet it still stands out effectively.  This title is present at 00.22. I think this timing was chosen, so the scene built up to the main title for effectiveness. The main title is slightly dissolved of the frame by being covered by an unusual black image, however the title's shot is played for longer in comparison to the others, it is played for 00.04 seconds.

At 00.29 another cast member is introduced Stellan Skarsgard, after there is a longer period of no titles and just action onscreen, then at 00.34 who is another cast member. The titles are continuing to introduce actors, the names mentioned are actors; Steven Berkoff (00.34), Robin Wright (00.37), Yorick Van Wageningen (00.40), Joely Richardson (00.44), Geraldine James (00.50), Goran Visnjic (01.03), Donald Sumpter (01.06), Ulf Friberg (01.10). I also noticed that this is not the whole cast, therefore these must be the main characters or the most famous actors. Therefore, I learnt the importance of not presenting the whole cast. The titles of these actors were arranged in all different positions on the frame which reduced repetitiveness.

At 01.15 Laray Mayfield was introduced. The title said 'Casting by LARAY MAYFIELD'. I think the timing of the individual who casted the cast after the introduction of the actors was relevant.

At 01.19 the costume designer Trish Summerville was introduced in the same way.

At 01.23 the co-producers Berna levin and Eli Bush's title was used.

After, at 01.25, the sound design by Ren Kylce was recognised.

Then, the music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross at 01.28

The editors Kirk Baxter, ace Angus Wall ace at 01.31.

The production designer Donald Graham Burt at 01.34.

At this point, the scene seems to become more dynamic and the images are more interesting to look at. This may be because the names seem to become less relevant and possibly important for example, the director is introduced 13 seconds in to the scene, whereas the sound design team is mentioned 1 minute 25 seconds into the scene. I think this may be because at the beginning the most important names want more focus and attention to their title and therefore using less interesting backgrounds and images makes the audience focus on the names. Whereas, the less influencial names such as the costume designer the images are eye catching and engaging to watch, in order to ensure the audience does not get bored during the titles.

The director of Photography Jeff Cronenweth at 01.39.

At 01.47, the executive producers Steven Zaillian, Mikael Wallen and Anni Faurbye Fernandez are introduced all in the same frame, possibly to ensure the title sequence does not drag on.

At 01.50 'produced by Scott Rudin, Ole sondberg, Soren Staernise and Cean Chaffin'

At 01.54 the titles 'Based on the book by Stieg Larsson and originally published by Norstedts' is presented on the frame. I feel as if these titles are important although being so far into the scene, as the title unlike the others, has been placed in the middle of the frame.

At 02.09, the title 'Screenplay by Steven Zaillian' is played. 

Then, finally the director is mentioned again saying 'Directed by David Fincher' at 02.22. This highlights the directors importance.

In conclusion, I liked 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' opening title sequence. At the beginning, I was worried that the scene would be really boring, as the titles were the same font on a dark, interesting yet rather dull background. However, I feel as the scene progressed, more and more images were used which interested me, and I actually liked the build up of the visuals. I felt like the fonts being the same wasn't dull because the titles were moving around the frame, which made me focus on different parts of the shots. I found it clever how the most important titles were mentioned first, and the director name was repeted, and I found myself recognising the name as I saw it for the second time.

The images were really expressive, the theme of almost an black ink was really effective and mysterious. I feel like the opening scene gave no indication of the storyline, however still highlighted that a tense, exciting and interesting movie was to come.

I find the music was very disturbing, and frightening. It was hard rock. Personally, I didnt find the music effective however, it does connect with the film as the main girl who has the dragon tattoo would probably be interested in that kind of music. 

Analysis of Skyfall

 Skyfall

Screenshots from artofthetitle.com 

 

 At the beginning of the scene, a low angle shot is used which I find conveys the lifelessness of the character in the water exaggerating the danger they are in. This is a very effective shocking opening shot as it confuses the audience immediately to question why they are there and who they are.
The shot soon changes from a low angle shot to a high angle shot. This makes him look vulnerable.

The man sinks into the water and the shot goes black leaving the audience scared for what happened to the character as well as exciting the audience as the storyline is still a mystery.

 After, the sinking characters hand is grabbed by a women who drags him down further possibly suggesting their is someone who wants to kill him. The women seems strong by the way she grabs and drags the characters hand down.

This is also emphasized when the shot of the womens hand is enlarged and is pulling the whole figure down, again suggesting the vulnerability and danger of the man and the power and strength of the women harming him.

We then see the main title on top of a shot of the character going into what looks like a whole in the sand. However, he ends up coming out of the whole the other side and we then see images of him bleeding, which shocks and scared the audience because they see the extent to his danger.

Furthermore, the use of a target mat of the character body which seems to be bleeding reflects that someone intends to harm the man and he is being targeted.

A naked women appears which allows the audience to question whether she will be a lover of James Bond, or secretly the women who was dragging him down.

Already, I have noticed the opening scene is very interesting and provokes shock and many questions from the audience as soon as it begins.

An establishing shot is used, the setting shows blue and black (the color scheme I really find effective) forest setting. The shot shows knives and guns dropping suggesting there is no safety for the character.

An extreme closeup shot of James Bond (Daniel Craig) eyes is used, which allows the audience to recognise the main character. However, he shows strength and his eyes don't show fear, which may provoke excitement for the audience as he looks determined and powerful.

Finally, I like the moment of the girl pointing the gun right in front of the camera. One side of her face is exposed to light, suggesting mystery about who the girl is, and possibly her hidden identity. As she directly points the gun to the camera, the audience feel in danger themselves, and therefore the audience feel as if they are a target too which is very effective.

The music is the soundtrack of 'Skyfall' by Adele. This song is very effective as it has a very powerful, sad beginning. The lyrics are very effective in the soundtrack as Adele sings about death, for example the first lyrics are "This is the end" which she sings when Bond is drowning. This suggests the message of his death.

Any other sources of inspiration for my planning?

Theatre

I went to see Bracken Moor in the Tricycle Theatre. 
Bracken Moor is a 2013 play by the British playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell, premiering at the Tricycle Theatre in London (co-production with Shared Experience and directed by Polly Teale.)  

- youtube.com

"After years apart, two families come together to rediscover their lost friendship. Instead, they conjure up the spirit of a buried tragedy. Set against the economic crisis of the 1930s, this boldly theatrical tale of grief and denial by Alexi Kaye Campbell (The Pride, Apologia, The Faith Machine) is vividly brought to life by Shared Experience (Mary Shelley, Brontë)." - http://www.tricycle.co.uk/home/about-the-tricycle-pages/about-us-tab-menu/archive/archived-theatre-production/bracken-moor/

Picture also sourced from www.tricycle.co.uk

Premiere cast

• John Bailey / Dr Gibbons - Antony Byrne
• Harold - Daniel Flynn
• Eileen, Elizabeth's maidservant - Natalie Gavin
• Elizabeth, Harold's wife - Helen Schlesinger
• Geoffrey Avery - Simon Shepherd
• Terence Avery - Joseph Timms
• Vanessa Avery - Sarah Woodward

The inspiration from seeing this play in relation to the planning of my own thriller film is how effective one line of speech is. This was a significant line in the play which I cannot forget. If i incorporated one heart hitting line of speech in my opening scene I feel it could have a huge effect of mystery and tension on the audience.

“He calls me sometimes. Usually in the dark hours of the morning. ‘Mummy’ he cries. ‘Where are you? Come and find me.’”

The lighting used in Bracken Moor was always extremely dull and dark, creating an isolated, remote and haunted setting for the audience to feel extremely uncomfortable in.

 

I thought the dark makeup of mud and dirt was really effective on creating sympathy for the victim. This has inspired me and created ideas of my use of makeup as well as my development of maybe using makeup to create a blue-black color symbolising bruises and wounds.

Finally, in the trailer there is a moment of a black shot with shouting over the top. I found that extremely frightening and noticed that it made me focus entirely on what was being said. Maybe I could use that technique if I did the one hard hitting line of speech, I had said was effective. 

A closer analysis of the 'Se7en' thriller movie opening sequence?

SE7EN

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/

The title sequence of Se7en is full of different techniques emphasising suspense and mystery.

Firstly, I think sounds is one of the most powerful techniques in this scene. As I focused on the sound, I noticed sound scape of a rewinding tape, a drum beat or large repetitive thumb noise and a robotic noise. The constant double drumbeat throughout the first minute of the clip mirrors a heartbeat noise and could suggest to the audience the fore coming stress and panic in the film to come as when in a fearful situation you tend to here your heartbeat. The drum beat also begins to increase in pace suggesting increased fear and panic.

The noise which sounds similar to a backwards tape recorder is very unsettling and gives the impression of the characters being watched or possibly haunted. This may connect really nicely to my scene if I chose to use my homemade recorded video idea.

There is another disturbing noise, which I find sounds like a scrape across something. This would make the audience feel uneasy and vulnerable. 


Furthermore, the visual images are very unsettling too. The color scheme of a dull brown, black, white and occasionally red suggests there is not any sense of hope and everything in this film is going to gruesome.

 

My interpretation of this beginning sequence is the planning of a criminal on his next victim. He writes, shows photographs, draws and reads showing his involvement and disturbing entertainment with what he plans to do. 

In the beginning, the shots are longer, for example when the book opens the shot of the book remains for around 6seconds. However, the pace of the shots begin to speed up and often a shot is only on the screen for around 2seconds before it changes. This could demonstrate the criminals excitement increasing as he makes plans for his victim. The faster the editing becomes, the more jump cuts from shot to shot are used too. This creates tension as it reflects the criminals violence as the transitions become more sharp. 

I feel this makes the whole sequence make the audience feel extremely uncomfortable as they are watching the criminal plan his crime. However, there is also a large amount of suspense as the scene still does not make sense and therefore becomes very mysterious. 

The state of his fingers as well as the large book of his writing suggests to the audience this is not the first time he has planned and completed a crime. The state of his fingers makes the criminal seem even more gruesome, and the fluidity of the shots reflects his methodical approach to his crimes and his obsessiveness for organisation. 

Also, the shots often show sharp objects which becomes unsettling and scary for the audience to witness. An example of this objects is a sharp blade and needle. 

This picture if of the sharp needle as the disturbed character sews up a book which further shows his uncomfortable trait of perfection and organisation in what he plans.

Overall, the sharp objects reflect pain, fear and violence.

- blade

Lastly, the titles in the opening scene are very effective. However, I have already commented on this in a previous blog but to reiterate the messy writing and shake of the words suggests the person writing is a panicked victim. It suggests mystery as well as the writing looks innocent and vulnerable, making the audience fear the worse for the victim under attack.

 

 Photos- screenshot from artofthetitle.com