Titling Task- Imogen Evans

Seven

The name of the film does not suggest that it is a thriller opening as you would not associate the word 'seven' with a thriller but it is mysterious which makes the opening intriguing to watch. The number 7 is also linked to God and is the number which is over the Devil.

In the film poster 'seven' the number 7 replaces the V, originally when the posters came out in 1995, they did not have the 7 as the V but later on they changed it to emphasise the importance of the number 7, this adds suspense and enigma, it also has connotations for the thriller genre. It creates an interest for the audience as it hints the importance of the number 7!

The film title design, as seen below communicates the genre and portrays a sense of mystery which puts the audience on edge because the title 'SE7EN' is put over the background of scenes where the serial killer is plotting his murders. The title shakily moves around the opening, disorientating the words,     this makes it seem more scary and edgy. The colour of the text is white and the size is not very bold, it fits into the background well like a serial killer would but in some shots the text will fill the whole screen very briefly so you only get a small glimpse, this creates confusion and tension.

The first second of the opening the producing company of the film appears. It is placed inside the book and only lasts for three seconds before it cuts to the next scene. This gives an understanding to the audience who created the film and does not give much away about the film. The use of small font is used so the titling is not too bold and doesn't distract the audience from the background film.

Throughout the sequence the actors names are presented with one second intervals whilst you see the serial killer plotting his murders in the background. This takes the audiences attention away from the subtle planning by putting centred names of the actors in the shot. The text shakes around so they are disfigured and makes the scene tense and sets the audience up for the rest of the film linking to the genre of theme.

The sound used throughout the opening is non-diegetic, it has a low tone which builds up throughout the opening. Foleys are used to make the scene more creepy like the use of a creaking door to emphasise sneaking around. The soundtrack has a faint alien style wailing noise, this is used to portray the sense of being trapped and torture. The sound is also very similar to American Horror Story's opening sound track which is iconic for very extremely creepy, click here to watch American Horror Story's.

Silence of the Lambs

The name of the film suggests it is a thriller genre because it is a mysterious title, this is because 'lambs' have connotations of gentle and timid but combined with silence it sounds more intense and creates suspense.

In the film poster it connotes a visual image of evil because red eyes are usually associated with the devil but it is combined with a child's bare face which makes it seem more vulnerable and misleading. The bug which is covering the mouth of the child makes the film poster seem more deadly because it has beautiful, flamboyant wings but a vicious looking face, this represents a theme of misleading like the two contrasting aspects of the title. The title creates an interest into the film as audiences will want to learn more about this film, it is misleading but interesting.

The Film Design of Silence Of the Lambs is bold and eye catching, this is used to capture the audiences attention and because the opening scene is very scenic with a forest background, the audiences attention does not need to be focused anywhere else, it helps set the scene. The titles in the opening are kept up for 3 seconds, it helps establish the location of the scene as the background is still moving.

The actors included in the titling sequence are not all shown in the opening apart from the main character who is shown 40 seconds into the opening, the titling sets up the audience for whom is in the scene. Throughout the titling, a consistency of bold, in your face writing is used, this can link to the genre of a thriller of it being intense and in your face. The titling font does not change through the titles which shows no actor is better than another.

The sound of used throughout the opening is non diegetic and has some strong Foley's to emphasise the atmosphere of the forest and creates a theme of horror and suspense which leads the audience to believe something chilling will happen.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

The name of the film does suggest a thriller genre as the name is used very mysteriously, therefore it leaves the audience asking questions about the film and who is Alice Creed! In the film poster it connotes the genre of thriller because guns are shown and the mix of a black background with red writing emphasises evil and mystery, juxtaposing a creepy atmosphere. The use of bold, bigger red text on the words 'ALICE CREED' emphasises the importance of Alice as the title is devoted to her. The use of red symbolises blood and anger which hints to what is yet to come in the film, this emphasises emotion with the relationship of Alice and the two men shown in the poster.

In the opening no titling is used, this is used so the audience focus more on what's happening in the scene because it sets what's going to happen in the rest of the film. Sound is used more to emphasise tension and the concentration that is used during the opening such as them collecting various items for the kidnapping. Within the opening it establishes the relationship between the two men, showing they are the main characters, Alice is not shown which adds suspense because it leaves the audience on the edge of their seats wondering where she is or what's happened to her.

The sound used through out is non diegetic and no dialogue is used, this is because it makes the opening more tense and adds enigma as the sound effects progressively get louder at key moments. Foleys are used to emphasise key moments of the opening such as the drilling the bed to the wall and it makes a bigger impact of the scene. Throughout the opening non diegetic sounds of a clock ticking is used to connotation images and thoughts of running out of time which is effective as it shows they have a deadline to meet.

Kill Bill

The name of the film suggests the thriller genre because of the word 'kill', this makes it seem that somebody is after a man named Bill, it is mysterious as it leaves the audience to wonder who is Bill?  The film poster emphasises the thriller genre because there is titling saying 'GO FOR THE KILL' and there is somebody holding a long sword, this connotes an image of killing. The colour of yellow symbolises joy and happiness but this juxtaposes the theme of killing which creates enigma as it is very unusual and doesn't reveal much about the theme.

The title 'Kill Bill' does not come into shot until 1 minute and 36 seconds after the beginning, this is after a gruesome scene at the beginning and other titling sequences of main characters who act in it. 'Kill Bill' has a bigger font than the other titles and is placed more centre so that it captures the audiences attention, it emphasises that this is where the scene really begins.

The pause between the title 'Uma Thurman' and then 'KILL BILL' fading into the centre of the scene creates tension as there is a black screen but when 'KILL BILL' appears it gives a better understanding.

There is a mix between non diegetic sound used and dialogue in the opening, at the beginning all you hear is a woman panting out of terror, this could have been emphasised by the use of Foleys to make it more dramatic.

You hear a man and a woman talking, the mans face is not revealed to increase tension but by hearing his voice it develops an intense insight to the opening. When titling is later shown after 'KILL BILL' there is a non diegetic song playing in the background to give it an eerie effect but to not draw any attention away from the titles.