Title Sequence Clips Review

Opening sequences to movies are important, they give the reader an idea to what the entire movie will be about. The director has the opportunity to foreshadow what is going to happen in the movie as well as be creative with the title sequence.

In the movie Jaws, the opening scene shows dark water with scary, suspenseful music. This music and camera shot impacts the viewer, as it is supposed to get you feeling intrigued and, on your toes, wondering what is going to happen next. The music in particular gives you that feeling because if the music was the music in the Little Mermaid, then it wouldn’t be as scary as it is with the low tone music. Another opening scene that gives you a strong first impression of the movie, is the opening scene from What About Bob? The first part of the opening scene consisted of credits with first and last names. The last name was showed overlapping the first name which was consistent through all the credits. In addition, while the names were showing, there was a goldfish passing/swimming through the names and across the screen. The fish sure did catch my eye, and my first impression was like, why is there a goldfish? The goldfish shown in the opening credits carried on to the opening scene as it is the main character’s pet. I’m assuming that the main character is Bob because of the title of the movie and that he was the first and only person to show up on the screen in the beginning of the movie. Some things we learn about Bob from the opening scene is that he is a germaphobe because of how he walks through the hallway, trying not to touch the walls and avoids opening the door with his hands. This opening scene provided a lot of information about the movie. 

Another opening scene that showed us the personality of the characters is the movie, Pulp Fiction. The opening scene starts off in a coffee shop, seems pretty normal, with a couple having coffee. The girl seems super sweet by how polite she is to the waitress, on the other hand there is something odd about the guy. We then figure out more into the opening scene that this couple is crazy. They start talking about robberies and the guy starts planning. The seemingly sweet lady then gets up and starts screaming and cussing with a gun, which throws the viewer off guard. This opening scene is packed with action in the second half, developing the interest of the audience. Another movie that has a lot going on in the opening scene is the movie, Dazed and Confused. In the opening scene you see a high school with banners saying last day of school, seniors, class of 1976, etc. Outside of the school are lots and lots of students. There are different groups of students, showing the separation of different people. Linking to the title of the movie, dazed and confused, are students smoking weed. This shows that students are doing whatever on the last day of school giving us an idea as to what could happen in the movie. Also, the music used in the opening scene is like fast paced, rock and roll music. This music, to me, foreshadows that there will be a lot going on in the movie and I predict that there will some frantic scenes. 

Last but not least, the opening scene to Raging Bull gives lots of details to tell the viewer what the movie will be about. In the first few seconds of the movie you see a boxer jumping in a boxing ring warming up to fight another boxer. You can tell it’s a fight and that he isn’t in practice because there are flashing camera lights in the audience showing that it’s being recorded and photographed as well as his silky robe that they only wear at competitions. This opening ties into the title of the movie by giving the viewer that prediction that the “raging Bull” referred to in the title is the boxer.

In the article, “First frames: titles in the digital realm” the author states that the typography and visual style created can establish the mood and image system; not only for the film but as well as the DVD cover, website, and all the advertising for the film. In addition, the author also states how film titles are so important because it’s the first thing you see which sets up the expectation of an audience.