Title Sequence Clip Review

Jennifer Lamb 

Title Sequence Clips (blog post 1) 

The following will include my initial impressions of the impact of the opening sequences of Space Odyssey, Scream, Pulp Fiction, and The Lion King. 

 In the beginning of Space Odyssey, the screen was completely black, while mysterious music was playing in the background for about 3 minutes. Then a lion logo that was titles MGM appeared in silence. A few seconds after the logo was shown, it slowly faded out... and the music abruptly changed to an orchestra playing a more upbeat introduction. “While I find visual effects really fascinating because digital technology enables you to puff apart and put together a photographic image, now that video is being delivered interactively, it means a whole new range of hybrid media forms are really starting to emerge.”(Merril, Miles) The last few minutes contained a sun and either planet or moon showing on the screen. In the next clip of the Space Odyssey it shows a monkey staring at some bones laying on the ground as if he’s contemplating on what to do with it. This shows a different way of thinking for the first time ever, the monkey discovers tools, as he hits the bones with another bone. At the end of the clip it switches to a satellite in space.  

Just as the clip from Scream appears, we notice the words in bold white, that turn to blood red with a scream in the transition. This transition makes the beginning feel like this is going to be a frightening movie that keeps the audience on their toes. “Film titles are very important because they set up the expectation of an audience. They are usually the first thing you see. Good titles design stems from an idea rather than flashy or experimental graphics per se. An opening titles sequence generally engages with the big themes of the film and looks at overarching themes and metaphors of the film.”(Merril, Miles) In the opening scene it shows a girl who picks up a phone with a mysterious voice on the other line. This strange sounding guy keeps calling this girl, she's home alone. He’s acting intriguing to her which keeps her answering his questions and staying on the phone call, she’s falling into his traps. He accidently mentions that he’s watching her, and she starts getting scared and pacing around the house locking every single door. She then realizes that she’s in big trouble with this guy, and in the ending with all the suspense created towards the viewers, the explodes and dies. 

 The next clip is from the movie Pulp Fiction, the opening scene starts out with the two arguing at a coffee shop, the pacing of the clip is regular. The waitress asks if she wants more coffee and she's so sweet to her and says please. Throughout the clip they continue talking about bank robbery, and once money is mentioned the girl starts to get a crazy look on her face. Towards the end they pull guns out and proceed to rob the restaurant. This lady is a crazy person, but you never would have known, it was so unexpected. 

 The next clip is from The Lion King, it shows animals from all around gathering to see the newborn lion king. Many different voices start singing the introduction song. All the angles are very interesting to the eye, and keeps you interested. In the end all of the animals bow down to the baby Simba when he appears.