Choosing the genre for my title sequence

My group and I have decided to do a thriller genre for a title sequence, this is due to us be very familiar with the codes and and conventions of this type of genre. This will then allow us to create a good title sequence, acceding our potential. 

An example of a thriller title sequence




This title sequence portrays some of the many codes and conventions used in thriller films. This includes very low key lighting, which creates a sense of uncomfortableness and gloom. This also allows the producers to show the character/s without revealing their identity, as their features can not be seen due to the dark lighting. Also, the use of very quick pace shots and editing, builds up momentum and aids to keep the audiences attention. A convention which is frequently used in thrillers is making relevance to the title in what is shown, this is shown here as the term tattoo is synonymous with ink, and ink is shown throughout the sequence.

The music can be seen as quite disturbing and unclear, this could connote that the plot of the film is not straight forwarded or contains an unusual twist, another convention used in this particular genre. Furthermore, the appearance of the characters could connote sadness and danger, due to them being presented as uncomfortable, a denotation.

Introduction to preliminary task

For our preliminary task my group and I have been asked to create a short scene, no more than two minutes long. The requirements state that this must include the following:

• Filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with then he or she then exchanges a short piece of dialogue.
• Match on action
• Shot, reverse shot
• The 180 degree rule

Codes and conventions in Se7en opening title sequence

Se7en

Explanation of 180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule is a basic yet vital guidline used in film-making, concerning a character and another or chharacter and an object in a scene. There is an imaginary line called the axix (as shown in the diagram), and by keeping the camera on only one side of the line in every shot in the scene, the first character will always be on the right side of the frame and the second will always be on the left side of the frame. This is often the case when when two people are exchanging dialogue. If the camera was to cross the line at any time during the scene then this would be called crossing the line or jumping the line.This rule helps the audiencce visually connect with the film and if broken this can not only cause confusion but also reduce the quality of the shot and scene.

I have carried out some research into finding an example of the 180 degree rule. The images below displays a common situation where it would be used. Image 1 displays a two shot, usually used to establish the scene and make the audience aware of the characters and settings in the scene. Image 2 shows an 'over the shoulder' shot, commonly used to show one character talking to another, allowing the audience to see their emotions and reactions, this technique conforms the 180 degree rule, as shown in the image the camera does not cross the imaginary line. Image three shows another example of an 'over the shoulder shot' however the camera is focused on the other character, however still follows the guidelines of the 180 degree rule.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3