Title Research Mission Impossible

Throughout the opening sequence of the film, "Mission Impossible - fallout" a total of 15 titles appear. This titles portray the actors names, such as Tom Cruise, the major film studio, Paramount Pictures, and other subsidiaries, such as Skyline Pictures.




What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence are largely the characters. This includes Tom Cruise, Sean Harris, Simon Pegg and Alec Baldwin. The images also introduce settings on events that may occur in the film. For example, during the opening sequence a helicopter crash can be observed.

What connotations do the images carry?
The images that appear in the opening sequence of the movie, have a very broad connotation of being suspenseful. Hand to hand combat, weapons, helicopter crashes and high speed chases are some of the very many action-packed images that can be seen. Additionally, there is a very fast pace to the titles and images. This may signify that the protagonist will be racing to save the day or defeat the antagonist.

How is genre reinforced through the symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Thriller is a genre of fiction, having numerous, often overlapping sub genres. Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. Conventions of thriller include action packed scenes, multiple perspectives, weapons/fast vehicles as props, fast edits, etc. The opening sequence of Mission Impossible reinforces genre by following the conventions of thrillers. To begin with, it is obviously apparent that the movie will contain action packed/suspenseful scenes through the strong edits and prioritized images. Also, the opening sequence introduces many characters (although not as protagonists and antagonists), hinting at the idea of multiple perspectives in the film. The props used include motorcycles and helicopters, which can travel as extreme speeds, as well as, weapons such as guns and knifes. Finally, the fast edits tie the cuts between characters together keeping the audience following along.



How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
The opening sequence is able to establish an enigma, through the introduction of key plot events that will lead to the climax of the story. For instance, throughout the opening sequence, images that are prioritized include high speed chases, fight scenes, helicopter crashes, and timers. These choice of images intrigue the audience and makes the audience want to continue watching the film. The audience is excited to see how these events will contribute to the protagonist either completing their goals or fail trying. However, since the climax of the film is not introduced this leaves the audience confused, establishing an enigma.


What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The James Bond franchise is a well known franchise of films that have developed a lot of revenue in the box office. As such, some audiences and viewers become such fans, they wish to see the next film when it is released. This film's target audience is likely previous fans or action seeking viewers. Strategies that are employed to have these viewers return include using the original cast, for example Tom Cruise as James Bond, action scenes in the trailer and opening scene, and a suspenseful sound track. These factors combine together to excite the audience and make them crave to continue watching the movie to see what happens next.


How has technology been used effectively?


Technology has been used effectively through the fast paced editing, development of suspenseful sound, as well as, camera angles/movements that imply certain meanings to the audience. To begin with, the opening sequence of the film has very fast paced editing that would have taken a long period of time to complete. Fire effects, quick jump cuts, and dynamic color grading all contribute to the opening sequences suspenseful connotation, which is why i believe technology was used effectively. As another example, the development of the suspenseful sound was a very effective use of technology. It is a fan favorite and is often thought of in a suspenseful situation with high risk and high reward. This name/song recognition encourages audiences to go see the film while it is still at the box office increasing sales.

Title Research: Watch the Titles

Watch the Titles! is a project dedicated to the art of title design and its creators. Launched in 2006, the recently renewed website features a growing collection of over 200 title sequences and behind-the-scenes content, offering a unique glimpse into the people, ideas and processes behind their creation." Watch the Titles is large website consisting of numerous blockbuster, television, and movie opening sequences. Some examples of the films that can be found include Rango, Ricochet,
Terminator, and one of my favorites Godzilla!

Watch the tiltles lets us in on the processes, and the results of some opening sequences. A main source of the information given can be obtained through the interviews provided. For instance, on the sites homepage they have interviews with Kyle Cooper, Daniel Kleinman, Laurent Brett, Man vs Machine, Michael Riley, and Danny Yount. In part one of the interview with Kyle Cooper, "the acclaimed title designer, art director, and filmmaker" discussed composition, handmade things, and the titles he contributed to. The main titles he mentioned are Darkness Falls, Se7en and Spiderman 2. In part two of the interview with Kyle Cooper, he analyzes and discusses "integrated typography." He also mentions another 3 "classic titles" that he contributed to including The Dead Zone, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Walk on the Wild Side.

Title Research: Art of the Title

Art of the Title is a website which is available for anyone, in which you, the viewer, can watch opening sequences to movies. On their homepage, they list their top 10 best opening sequences of 2019 in forms of media such as film, television, animation, video games, events, and conferences. The website claims that these opening sequences were selected by "originality and innovation, impact, atmosphere, relevance to subject matter, and technique."In addition to the list of 2019's best opening, sequences the website also gives the viewer the ability to watch other movies opening sequences. Some movies that you could preview include Climate and Control. The website highlights key qualities that makes the opening sequence/titles better than other movies. Overall, the website will be very useful in constructing my opening sequence because it highlights key attributes and features of good opening sequences, that will be useful in constructing my opening sequence.

https://www.artofthetitle.com/

Avatar Genre Research

The last film I'm analyzing is Avatar. This is the first film I'm analyzing that doesn't have previous titles. The first category I'm analyzing is camera angles, movements, and shots. Common angles and shots include aerial and establishing shots. This is because the camera would often be filming these vast landscapes. The most common movements were pans. This would happen when the camera panned across these expansive locations.
Secondly, I'm going to analyze Mis-en-scene. There weren't that many memorable costumes. Most of the movie was CGI. Although, the lighting was quite memorable. Most of the film had bright daylight. The main actors in the film were relatively few. Most of them were pretty much also unknown to me. Since most of the film was CGI, makeup isn't much to talk about. There also weren't too many many memorable props.
The common sound of the film was non-diegetic. This is because most of the sound had to be added since it was a CGI film. Common editing used was cross-cutting and jump cuts. This is because there was a lot of information that needed to be established. Elements of the adventure genre that were in the film were world-building. The element I liked was the bright expansive world. The elements I disliked was the exposition.

Avengers Endgame Genre Research

When looking up movies of the genre most were superhero films. I decided to do Avengers endgame because I watched it most recently. The first category to analyze are the camera angles, movements, and shots. The most common shots I remember were establishing shots. This makes sense since there are a lot of areas and worlds you need to get familiar with. Other angles and shots were aerial and long shots. These follow the same trend and purpose. There were a lot of camera movements. The most memorable were the pans.
The second category to analyze is the Mis-en-scene of the film. This was a lot. Costumes were plentiful for obvious reasons, it was a superhero movie, their suits are iconic to the film and the world they're in. The lighting was different in almost every location they were in. This was important for establishing an atmosphere in each place. The actors of the world were long-established and helped the story develop. There were also many actors to boot. Makeup was common and in use to create the characters. Although the film relied more on CGI. Props were also everywhere to be seen since they are also very important to the characters and the world they're in.
Common sound within the film was mostly non-diegetic since they had to be added to the film. Since the world and locations, they were in were mostly fabricated by CGI. the most common editing used was probably cross-cutting. This is because they were switching between worlds and locations so much. Elements of the genre that were included were the rich world they inhabited and the lore and story-telling. The thing is though this was developed across multiple films. Like I said in my previous blog the element I enjoyed was the immersive world. The story you were watching was very enveloping. Elements I disliked was that so much was going on in the story that it was hard to keep track.

A Quiet Place Genre Research

Throughout the movie various camera angles and movements are utilized to create a sinister tone. For example, various low angles are used to create a sense of how intimidated and powerless the main characters are compared to the mysterious creatures. As another example, various wide shots are used to establish the setting of each of the scenes. In the beginning of movie, a wide shot of the abandoned city where they get there supplies from is utilized, as well as, a wide shot of the ranch where the main characters live later on in the movie. Another important aspect of the movie is the mis-en-scene, such as the costumes, lighting, actors, makeup, props, and settings. The costumes in the movie, such as the heavy jackets and jeans, contribute to the feeling of isolation that can be felt throughout the movie. The lightning and makeup has a dark and gloomy color, which the lightning at times having hints of red


To sum it all up, quiet place follows the conventions of the thriller genre. Despite having rare dialogue, the movie makes use of action packed scenes, multiple points of views, an antagonist stronger than the protagonist, loud sound effects, and amazing editing. These elements all help to contribute to the movies dark and sinister tone. This tone then in-turn keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. This moviemakes use of many elements that I like such as the suspenseful plot structure, loud sound effects, amazing editing, and multiple points of view. However, there are some elements of the movie that I do not like. The audience is kept in the dark a lot regarding certain aspects of the plot such as the strange creatures and the basement in the house. I would also have liked to see more dialogue between the characters.

Bird Box Movie Genre Research

The movie bird box is a good movie that highlights the thriller genre.Throughout the movie various camera angles and movements are utilized to create a suspenseful plot. For example, various "birds eye view" shots are used to demonstrate the characters lack of situational awareness as well their lack of ability to identify their location. As another example, various wide shots are used to establish the setting of each of scenes as well as the mysterious creatures that lurk everywhere they go. For example, in the river scene a wide shot is used to captivate the whole surroundings of the main characters, while in the movie they have a lack of understanding of where they are going. Another important aspect of the movie is the mis-en-scene, such as the costumes, lighting, actors, makeup, props, and settings. The costumes in the movie, such as the faded pink puffy jacket, belt, and boots demonstrates the main characters ability to adapt in the wilderness and their current situation. The lightning has dark and gloomy color, to keep the audience on edge. The makeup used is meant to create a sense of uncleanliness to signify the main characters being outdoors. Despite having an interesting plot structure, the movie makes use of suspenseful scenes, dynamic points of views, an antagonist stronger than the protagonist, loud sound effects, and amazing mis-en-scene. These elements all help to contribute to the movies suspenseful and thrilling tone. This tone leaves audiences worrying for the protagonist and what will happen next. Bird Box makes use of many elements that I enjoy in thrillers as the suspenseful plot structure, loud sound effects, interesting mis-en-scene, and dynamic points of view. However, there are some elements of the movie that I do not like. The audience is kept in the dark a lot regarding the antagonist and its origins as well as the lack of action packed scenes that can be found in other thrillers. Overall, Bird Box is an interesting movie to say the least and may be useful in producing my Final Task. I would recommend Bird Box to any movie lover that enjoys a good thrill.