Opening Titles Analysis -- Catch Me If You Can (G321)

In the opening titles of Catch Me If You Can (2002) we are hinted towards some vague ideas of what the films about. For example we see a one man following another around a city, this gives us indications that one of the themes to the film is spying. Later on we see a yellow cab, this tells us that this city is new york because yellow cabs are commonly associated with new york. We are then lead to believe that this chase is a world wide thing as we see an animation of a plane and then later on, two men running around the world with one chasing the other.

This sequence therefore tells us that the two main characters are two men who are played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. We can also tell that Tom Hanks's character is the one doing the chasing as an arrow points the the chaser in the opening title sequence when his name is on screen.

We can also tell a lot about the film by the music being played in the opening titles sequence. For example we know that the film fits into the mystery genre due to the opening musics meddling tone and feel. We also know that there is a mysterious atmosphere to the film once again to the opening musics meddling feel and tone.

Opening Tiltles Analysis -- My Best Friend's Wedding (G321)

We can tell a lot about the film My Best Friends Wedding (1997) from the mise en scene used in its opening titles. For example due to the costumes of the singers in the opening titles we know that there will be a bride and 3 bridesmaids in this film. Due to the fact that we know that there is a bride and 3 bridesmaids we know that the theme of the film is a wedding.

The theme song, Wishin' and Hopin' (1963) by Dusty Springfield, connotes to there being a happy atmosphere in the film due to the songs cheerful tone. There is also evidence that this film is a romantic comedy as its title sequence and the opening song has a cheesy feel to it.

Unlike the titles used in the opening sequences in films such as Forrest Gump (1994) and Lord of War (2005) the titles used in My Best Friends Wedding do not catch the eye of the viewer due to the fact that they don't stand out on screen because of their positioning and font.

Opening Titles Analysis -- Panic Room (G321)

Just like the opening titles of the film Lord of War (2005), the opening titles of Panic Room (2002) give us selected bits of information about the film. For example due to the scenery shown in this title sequence we know that the film is set in a city and under closer observation we see that the city that the film is set in is New York.

We gain a lot of information from the soundtrack of the opening title sequence. For example due to the tone of the start of the soundtrack we know that the film has an eerie atmosphere to it. And when the tone of the soundtrack changes it becomes intense, this connotes that there is a tense atmosphere in the film.

The soundtrack also gives us information towards the films genre which we know is a thriller.

Opening Titles Analysis -- Lord of War (G321)

The opening titles of the film Lord of War (2005) give us selected bits of information about the film. For example it tells us that the film fits into the action genre. The indication of this genre comes from the journey the bullet in this opening sequence is from the point where they are being made, through a war zone and then sunk into a mans forehead.

The journey which the bullet takes during this opening title sequence is what connotes the genre of the film. The opening titles also gives hints towards the themes of the film. An obvious theme of the film in war. However a more discrete theme that is in this opening sequence is corruption and/or betrail. This theme becomes apparent when the bullet in this sequence is at one point in the hands of a naval officer and the next minute in the hands of a militant.

We can also tell that this film is set worldwide from this film opening. This is because we witness many different settings in the opening titles. We can also tell that there is a political narrative to this film as we witness a war going on and also the song used in the opening credits, "For What It's Worth" (Buffalo Springfield 1966), soon become known as the protest song shortly after it was released.

The music used in this has upbeat tone to it which gives it an upbeat atmosphere. this juxtaposes the common view on war. The titles are positioned in the centre of the screen to draw our attention to the names of the production compaines, cast and crew as the titles impose on the clip. We also know who stars in the fim because of the opening titles evidence of this is that Nicolas Cage is the first title.

Film Trailers and Film Openings... Whats the Difference? (G321)

There are key differences between Film Trailers and Film Openings. An Example of the features of a film trailer are listed below...

A film trailer offers information about the film and regularly feature fade to black transitions. Film trailers contain a montage of clips from the film with the majority used to grab the audiences attention. They begin with the logos of the institutions who made the film and the trailer ends with the films title. A good example of this is the trailer for the film “127 Hours (2010)”

Film Openings on the other hand are different as shown below...

A film opening features many titles which give the names of the institutions and people behind the film. These titles are most commonly in the following order: Main Institution, Other Production Companies, Lead Actors, Film title, Other Actors and Crew Members and then The Director. An example sticking to the order are the opening titles of “Catch Me If You Can (2002)”

Other items a Film Opening commonly feature are things such as signature theme tunes, hints of the films genre and indications of where the film takes place. Another thing which most film openings do is subconsciously tell the story of the film. A film series commonly known for doing this are the “James Bond” Films as shown in “Quantum of Solace (2008)”

Reece Field 7404

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