Research - Class Discussion

In class we had a discussion with the other 2 video groups. We looked at a couple of film openings from the 80's to contrast how they have changed. We discussed what credits would be given in the opening of the film and came up with this list:

• Studio and production companies
• Name of the producer
• Name of main actors
• Name of casting director
• Name of music composer
• Name of director
• Film title

As well as developing a list for the opening credits we looked at the opening to the films 'Paris By Night' and 'Paperhouse'. Here is the opening to 'Paperhouse':



The opening to the film 'Paperhouse' uses the typical codes and conventions of an opening sequence. Credits from the production companies, producers and actors can be seen as well as credits from all the other people who helped make the film. The credit sequence can be seen on top of multiple shots of a child drawing a picture of a house and then towards the end of the sequence the child scribbling out the picture, creating a sense of mystery. Why does the child scribble it out? What makes the child dislike a picture of a house? And what will happen next?

The shot after shows a child in a classroom has been drawing the picture and then can be seen getting picked on, by both the teacher and the students. Point of view shots shows how the child sees the world and shows how many people dislike the main character. The pulling technique that really gets the audience is the shot showing the evil grin from the child, suggesting that the character is evil and perhaps even a threat to other people. This grabs the attention of the audience as it builds up a sense of enigma and suspense.

This title sequence has taught me to reduce the length of the title sequence as this particular film has a long credit sequence which looses the interest of the audience towards the end. As well as this i also noted we will have to create enigma and tension from the start in order to grab the attention of the audience and ultimately make them watch on.

So to conclude the opening for 'Paperhouse' works well as tension is built and mystery is created making the audience want to watch on as well as letting the audience have a pleasant viewing experience.