04.10.2014 RESEARCH: THE ART OF THE TITLE #2

In today's lesson, I looked at the website Art Of The Title: http://www.artofthetitle.com  as inspiration for my own film opening sequence. 

Detectives (wri. Noah R Taylor, 2013) - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/detectives/ 

Original Storyboard/ First Design

For my second piece of close analysis, I used my own observations, class discussion andThe Art of the Title website. 

• The genre of this film is spy/detective thriller mystery hybrid. The title sequence is fast paced, fun, mysterious and energetic being set in Paris, France. This invites the viewer to pay attention to each visual clue: each member of the cast/crew has their name typed in white lettering in the bottom middle of the screen (as the camera is tracking and in motion shot, the road is where the cast/crews names are). The hectic yet decisive and fast paced planning of the investigation attracts the audiences attention, for example matching number plates of cars (the first car is a Peugeot, a French brand) to suspects as well as tracking where they live and the 'hotspots' they commonly visit on a regular basis. With help of technology such as Google Mapping and Satellite Navigation (with clues such as a mouse on the screen), creates an atmosphere rich in intelligence and superiority; for example detectives are using the highest quality technology with powerful software only available to secret services such as the FBI or French Police. 
• The period is established by the use of modern day/20th Century mis-en-scene: modern day cars such as Audis and Peugeots, modern day double yellow lines on streets, up to date detective technology being projected on the screen, modern day lights such as lighting up the Eiffel Tower and street lamps. 
  
• Colour and lighting are important visual codes. The bright, realistic light creates a warm, safe feel showcasing the white, black balcony buildings of Parisian Avenues. 
  
• The camera movement is part of the method: the camera pans and zooms over the series of houses, cars zooming in on number plates, tracking moving cars and vans, front doors, Eiffel Tower, view from Sacre Coeur and a tracking shot of the foot path by the River Sen.
• The music is suitable for the spy/detective thriller mystery hybrid as it is fast paced, Parisian themed with phrases such as 'I made it to the city of lights (nickname for Paris)'. The musical instruments played include the bass guitar creating a 'trekking', 'constant movement and pacing' feel with a drumming, percussion beat in the background.