Great Expectations (dir. Nic Benns BBC, 2011) - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/great-expectations/
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| The Progression of Concept |
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| Victorian butterfly pinning |
For my first piece of close analysis, I used my own observations, class discussion and The Art of the Title website.
- The genre of this film is costume drama. The title sequence has a mysterious, eerie, antiquated feel with use of Victorian lace and white butterflies coming alive, possibly symbolising the growing of Pip, the main character. The butterflies are reminiscent of the Victorian framing of pinned adult butterfly specimens, this was very fashionable at that time.
- Each member of the crew/cast has their name appear next to the dominant image of a white, delicate transparent butterfly that continues to grow and come alive as the sequence progresses. Each name disappears differently for example: as the brightness of the clip increases the names fade out in white matching the lace background, names flash off the screen when the butterfly flutters its wings almost flicking the names off the screen or names 'blot away', making it appear someone is writing in calligraphy (commonly used in the Victorian era) and keeps on spilling ink having to blot it up with a tissue.
- The historical period is visibly established by the period quality of the props used in the opening: the butterfly, the Victorian style lace, the cream/white thick paper style background with calligraphy style writing and ink splatters.
- Colour and lighting are important visual codes. The sepia tone lends a period air and the colour black predominates, showcasing the use of white, clear, vibrantly highlighted objects. It feels dated with use of colours such as creams, oranges and blacks - the cream colours used as the background and butterfly colours appear to look sun-bleached, having once been white with the sun dying them. This invites the viewer to take pleasure in the way that each scene of the opening can be interpreted differently.
- The camera movement makes the opening of this television series interesting and captivating to view: the camera pans in a slow glide over the vintage, white objects/textures. It stops over each credit (name) to allow the viewer view the cast/crew members name as well as to whiteness the vivid objects. The music is a single piano playing a soft yet high pitched/loud tune with a constant, dominating beat; at times signalling a new name of cast/crew member appearing on the screen or the butterfly growing. At the end of the opening sequence, there is a vibrant, high pitched violin note, signalling the programme is about to start.
Are you stuck on this?
ReplyDeleteSorry I accidentally uploaded it before I had finished.
ReplyDeleteYou write with sensitivity about what you have watched. I wonder if you know the Dickens novel itself? the film is a literary adaptation of the story of how Pip's emerging into adulthood is like the butterfly depicted: his fragile childhood identity is shaped and darkened by the deliberate sabotage of his emotions by Miss Havisham. He is manipulated by her to fall in love with Estella, but without the possibility of his love ever being requited.
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