Analysis of a title sequence

Analysis of a title sequence 


I have chosen to analyse the opening sequence for Casino Royale. As it is in the sub-genre of spy, the imagery is focused around the typical conventions of a spy film such as guns, knives, fighting, villains and the hero. As the name of the film suggests, it is focused around a casino which is referenced to in the sequence with the four suits on a pack of cards. 

As the film is in the James Bond series, it begins with it's signature shot from the point-of-view of a presumed assassin, featuring James Bond walking, turning and then shooting directly at camera, causing blood to run down the screen. 

The titles begin in the usual order with the producer shown first. 

It then goes on to introduce the highest billing. In this case it is Daniel Craig, the actor who plays James Bond, the main character. As the name of the film suggests, it is focused around a casino which is first  referenced to in the sequence here with the four suits on a pack of cards emerging from the background.  

The title of the film is then shown around 15 seconds into the 3 minute 15 seconds sequence. Following the title is an animated sequence showing James Bond fighting and defeating villains. 

The sequence ends with the director's name as James Bond's face appears as how he actually looks unanimated. 

The title sequence

The Title Sequence

What is the purpose of the title sequence? 

• Establish the genre
• Capture the attention of the audience
• Title of the film
• Show the production company
• Introduces the characters
• Sets the tone of the film 
• Introduces us to the locations

The titles are usually shown in this order:

• Producer
• Highest billing
• Director
• Title of the film
• Main actor 
• Cast
• Crew (production designer, editor, music etc.) 
• Final name (always the director) 

The opening sequence is not always in this order and often varies from film to film. Parts are often left out in the opening titles and may only mention the producer, title and director. Other titles may mention more of the cast and crew and be much more detailed in who exactly made the film. 

Conventions of our sub-genres

Here are the conventions of our two chosen sub-genres which we will crossover


Conventions of the police sub-genre

• As the name says, police films centre around the police.
•  Police procedurals depict a number of police-related topics such as forensics, autopsies, the gathering of evidence, the use of search warrants and interrogation.
• While traditional mysteries usually adhere to the convention of having the criminal's identity concealed until the climax (the so-called whodunit), in police procedurals, the perpetrator's identity is often known to the audience from the outset. 
• Examples of police films is Hot Fuzz, Police Academy and Beverly Hill Cop.

Conventions of the detective sub-genre

• Focuses around a detective trying to solve a crime, usually a murder mystery. 
• Tends to feature a large number of false suspects with the real villain being the 'least likely suspect'.
• Usually fictional detectives fit one of these four archetypes; the amateur detective (e.g. Marple), the private investigator (e.g. Holmes, Poirot), the police detective (e.g. Morse, Columbo), the forensic specialists (e.g. Quincy, CSI).
• Story lines are much more complicated and characters are identified better so that the audience can feel like they could solve the crime.
• High key lighting is often used and the music tends to be upbeat or tense. 
• Higher class characters are often used and this sub-genre is usually professional and precise. 
• Examples of detective films are The Big Sleep and Sherlock Holmes.  

 

Conventions of the crime film genre

Conventions of the crime film genre

• As the name suggests, it is based around some sort of crime and/or criminals.
• They often glorify the rise and fall of a particular criminal(s), gang, bank robber, murderer or lawbreakers in personal power struggles or conflict with law and order figures, an underling or competitive colleague or a rival gang.
• We are often allowed to glimse into the lifes of criminals with locations such as nightclubs, bars, large cities and occasionally exotic locations to show wealth.
• Film gangsters are usually materialistic, street-smart, immoral and self-destructive.
• Music in these films is often tense and dramatic to help build the suspense of the film.
• Guns and other weapons are often used as props along with things such as money and fast cars.

The subgenres of crime are;

• Detective
• Action
• Police
• Film Noir
• Spy
• American Gangster

For our opening sequence we have decided to do a crossover between the police and detective subgenres.

What I have learnt form the preliminary task

What I have learnt from the preliminary task


In this task I learnt how to use the editing software on the computer to edit the work we had filmed.   I also learnt to check that any filming had been recorded properly before finishing filming as some of our work was lost. 


My three targets for the main task are 

• Check work has been recorded before finishing filming.
• Keep a constant eye on the continuity.
• Don't forget about lighting. 
• Try a wider range of shots and angles.
• Focus on lighting.

Preliminary Task - video

Here is our preliminary task
                                                                                                                                                                       

Preliminary task

Preliminary task

Our first task we had to do was the preliminary task. This was a continuity task which tested our ability to apply three basic rules of film making;

• Match on Action
• Shot/Reverse Shot
• 180-degree Rule

The details of the task were that we had to include; 

•          A character opening a door, crossing a room
•          Sitting down in a chair opposite another character
•          The two characters exchange a couple of lines of dialogue

The purpose of this task was; 

·         You need to demonstrate an understanding of continuity editing

·         In Post Production you will edit together everything you film into an order that makes sense