Opening title sequence analysis:
Zombieland (2009) - (EB)
Structure of the titles:
The start of this opening sequence starts with a slow motion wide shot of a woman flying out of a car onto the ground, this is immediately suggesting that there is panic and chaos because of the commentary that says 'fasten your seat-belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride'. This is ironic as the woman was obviously not wearing a seat belt in the car while she was driving. the second shot is also in slow motion with a low angle looking up towards a guard that has jumped of a tower. As he falls the titles break and fade when his body touches them, this is effective in linking in with the overall theme of the intro because it's all madness, panic and chaos. The next shot is a close up of a man that has turned into a zombie and is spitting out blood from his mouth, this is helping to signify the outbreak and aims to scare the audience by showing them a zombie up close.
The shot after this is a wide shot of a woman running away from a zombie while her face expressions are of panic and fright. This is again helping to signify the panic and chaos of the outbreak.
The following shots show a car on fire what looks like a homeless man with a banner that says 'the end is near'. We can connote from this that the some people in this part of the world speculated that there was going to be an outbreak/ natural disaster and that the world would suffer greatly from this. Further shots show the chaos of everyone in scenes because of the zombies attacking people that haven't turned yet and it looks like everyone is being hunted down by this outbreak of 'zombies'. We can connote from the shot further on that shows a man in a suit with an Assault rifle fighting back because it's showing that not everyone is going to run away and some are going to fight back against the zombies. This is may signify that this man may be part of the story-line because he is the only person in the whole opening sequence that seems to be taking a stand against the zombies. All of this combined with the slow motion effect works really well in showing the audience the chaotic nature of the intro, but because it's slow paced it gives the audience more time to look at everything in the scene instead of it just flashing up for a few seconds and some of the audience missing parts.
(EB)
Structure of the titles:
- Columbia Pictures presents,
- In association with Relativity media,
- A Pariah production,
- Main actors names (Woody Harrelson etc),
- Zombieland main title
- Casting by,
- Costume designer,
- Music by,
- Edited by,
- Production designer,
- Director of photography,
- Executive producers,
- Produced by,
- Written by,
- Directed by,
The start of this opening sequence starts with a slow motion wide shot of a woman flying out of a car onto the ground, this is immediately suggesting that there is panic and chaos because of the commentary that says 'fasten your seat-belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride'. This is ironic as the woman was obviously not wearing a seat belt in the car while she was driving. the second shot is also in slow motion with a low angle looking up towards a guard that has jumped of a tower. As he falls the titles break and fade when his body touches them, this is effective in linking in with the overall theme of the intro because it's all madness, panic and chaos. The next shot is a close up of a man that has turned into a zombie and is spitting out blood from his mouth, this is helping to signify the outbreak and aims to scare the audience by showing them a zombie up close.
The shot after this is a wide shot of a woman running away from a zombie while her face expressions are of panic and fright. This is again helping to signify the panic and chaos of the outbreak.
The following shots show a car on fire what looks like a homeless man with a banner that says 'the end is near'. We can connote from this that the some people in this part of the world speculated that there was going to be an outbreak/ natural disaster and that the world would suffer greatly from this. Further shots show the chaos of everyone in scenes because of the zombies attacking people that haven't turned yet and it looks like everyone is being hunted down by this outbreak of 'zombies'. We can connote from the shot further on that shows a man in a suit with an Assault rifle fighting back because it's showing that not everyone is going to run away and some are going to fight back against the zombies. This is may signify that this man may be part of the story-line because he is the only person in the whole opening sequence that seems to be taking a stand against the zombies. All of this combined with the slow motion effect works really well in showing the audience the chaotic nature of the intro, but because it's slow paced it gives the audience more time to look at everything in the scene instead of it just flashing up for a few seconds and some of the audience missing parts.
(EB)
Dawn of the Dead (2004) - (TC)
In order of opening titles -
1. Universal Pictures Present,
2. A Strike Entertainment / New Amsterdam Entertainment Production,
3. Title - Dawn of the Dead,
4. Starring - Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Ty Burrell and Mekhi Phifer
5. More Actors - Kevin Zegers and Michael Kelly
6. " " - Jayne Eastwood, Lindy Booth and Matt Frewer
7. Casting By.. Joseph Middleton 'CSA',
8. Music by.. Tyler Bates,
9. Music Supervisor.. G . Marq Roswell,
10. Special Make-up Effects - David Leroy Anderson,
11. Costume Designer.. Denise Cronenberg,
12. Co - Producer.. Michael Messina,
13. Editor.. Niven Howie,
14. Production Designer.. Andrew Neskoromny,
15. Director of photography.. Matthew F. Leonetti,
16. Executive Producers.. Thomas A. Bliss, Dennise E. Jones and Armyan Bernstein,
17. Produced By.. Richard P. Rubinstein, Marc Abraham and Eric Newman
18. Screenplay based on George A. Romero
19. Screenplay by James Gunn
20. Directed By Zack Snyder
Opening Title Sequence Analysis
By using the establishing shot of the mass number of people praying for a Muslim faith, suggest upon the viewer that maybe the story line within the production may include some controversial views or opinions. As the viewer, we then experience quick flashes of a `Torture Chair` originally used to start the mutation of the zombies. This confirms the reliability of the film and allows to increase the suspicion upon the viewer. The next scene after the title of the film, shows even more close-ups upon the zombies and a mid-shot of men dressed in protective gear to stop the infection. As well as the ever changing shots of zombies, there is non-Diegetic dialogue withing the background which mentions all about if the virus is deadly?, is the virus airborne? or if the zombies are dead or alive?. We then see a male authority figure respond to all these questions with; "I don't know!". This suggest that the lead people in charge have no power over the virus and cannot be able to stop it. The next part of the opening title sequence includes a juxtaposition of context, when a Johnny Cash soundtrack is play overlapping the video, which invites a comical value to be shown as the soundtrack is very high beat and Medium pace. Alongside the Non-diegetic soundtrack, we also experiences very quick flashes on mid-shots and Close-ups of disaster sweeping the nation. We then see examples of the virus to re-confirm the initial view that it is a bacteria spreading around the world at the start of the opening title sequence.
As we reach to the midway point of the title sequence, we begin to see more and more long-shots of the authority, trying to kill the zombies and contaminate the virus itself; but failing due to the huge scale of the zombie attack shown upon the news broadcast shown in the title sequence. Then we experience a long-shot of a large truck being driven into the huge crowds of zombies, which suggest to the audience that the survivors have got to such a extreme state, that they are willing to sacrifice their lives to save others. By showing this with the diegetic screaming in the background, Peaks the audiences fears and intensity and allows the director to directly force these gruesome images straight into the viewers thoughts and emotions. The opening title sequence then starts to fade the volume down of the Johnny Cash soundtrack as the video shows empty rooms and dead bodies. By the director doing this, the audience begins to pay more attention upon the video and waiting with anticipation for what is the outcome of this faded Johnny Cash Sondtrack within the Sequence. What does happen is the authorities killing the zombies and looks like they are winning the almighty battle. But seconds later, a mid-shot then shows the zombies eating and destroying them. The opening title sequence then ends with the `Final Girl` shown at a mid-shot, covered in blood and in a car crash. The audience then achieve the connotation that she has maybe been involved with the killing of the zombies and has maybe even survived it.
1. Universal Pictures Present,
2. A Strike Entertainment / New Amsterdam Entertainment Production,
3. Title - Dawn of the Dead,
4. Starring - Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Ty Burrell and Mekhi Phifer
5. More Actors - Kevin Zegers and Michael Kelly
6. " " - Jayne Eastwood, Lindy Booth and Matt Frewer
7. Casting By.. Joseph Middleton 'CSA',
8. Music by.. Tyler Bates,
9. Music Supervisor.. G . Marq Roswell,
10. Special Make-up Effects - David Leroy Anderson,
11. Costume Designer.. Denise Cronenberg,
12. Co - Producer.. Michael Messina,
13. Editor.. Niven Howie,
14. Production Designer.. Andrew Neskoromny,
15. Director of photography.. Matthew F. Leonetti,
16. Executive Producers.. Thomas A. Bliss, Dennise E. Jones and Armyan Bernstein,
17. Produced By.. Richard P. Rubinstein, Marc Abraham and Eric Newman
18. Screenplay based on George A. Romero
19. Screenplay by James Gunn
20. Directed By Zack Snyder
Opening Title Sequence Analysis
By using the establishing shot of the mass number of people praying for a Muslim faith, suggest upon the viewer that maybe the story line within the production may include some controversial views or opinions. As the viewer, we then experience quick flashes of a `Torture Chair` originally used to start the mutation of the zombies. This confirms the reliability of the film and allows to increase the suspicion upon the viewer. The next scene after the title of the film, shows even more close-ups upon the zombies and a mid-shot of men dressed in protective gear to stop the infection. As well as the ever changing shots of zombies, there is non-Diegetic dialogue withing the background which mentions all about if the virus is deadly?, is the virus airborne? or if the zombies are dead or alive?. We then see a male authority figure respond to all these questions with; "I don't know!". This suggest that the lead people in charge have no power over the virus and cannot be able to stop it. The next part of the opening title sequence includes a juxtaposition of context, when a Johnny Cash soundtrack is play overlapping the video, which invites a comical value to be shown as the soundtrack is very high beat and Medium pace. Alongside the Non-diegetic soundtrack, we also experiences very quick flashes on mid-shots and Close-ups of disaster sweeping the nation. We then see examples of the virus to re-confirm the initial view that it is a bacteria spreading around the world at the start of the opening title sequence.
As we reach to the midway point of the title sequence, we begin to see more and more long-shots of the authority, trying to kill the zombies and contaminate the virus itself; but failing due to the huge scale of the zombie attack shown upon the news broadcast shown in the title sequence. Then we experience a long-shot of a large truck being driven into the huge crowds of zombies, which suggest to the audience that the survivors have got to such a extreme state, that they are willing to sacrifice their lives to save others. By showing this with the diegetic screaming in the background, Peaks the audiences fears and intensity and allows the director to directly force these gruesome images straight into the viewers thoughts and emotions. The opening title sequence then starts to fade the volume down of the Johnny Cash soundtrack as the video shows empty rooms and dead bodies. By the director doing this, the audience begins to pay more attention upon the video and waiting with anticipation for what is the outcome of this faded Johnny Cash Sondtrack within the Sequence. What does happen is the authorities killing the zombies and looks like they are winning the almighty battle. But seconds later, a mid-shot then shows the zombies eating and destroying them. The opening title sequence then ends with the `Final Girl` shown at a mid-shot, covered in blood and in a car crash. The audience then achieve the connotation that she has maybe been involved with the killing of the zombies and has maybe even survived it.
Resident Evil-Afterlife (2010) (BD)
Order in which the titles appear
1. Production company
-Screen Gems
2. Constantin film/Davis film/ Impact pictures presents
3. Constantin film/Davis film/ Impact pictures production
4. A film by Paul .W. Anderson
5. Staring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter
6. Titles -Resident evil Afterlife
7. More actors- Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts ,Sergio Peris-Mencheta ,Spencer Locke
8. With Boris Kodjoe and Wentworh Miller
9. Canadian casting by- Robin D. Cook , c.s.a and Uk casting by Suzanne M.Smith
10. Costume Design - Denise Cronenberg
11. Production Designer - Avr Grewal
12. Director of Photography -Glen Macperson
13 Edited by -Niven Howie
14.Visual effects supervisor Dennis Berardi
15. Music by-Tomandany
16. Based upon Capcom's Videogame 'Resident Evil'
17. Associate producer- Hiroyuki Kobayashi
18. Executive producer- Victor Hadida
19. Executive producer-Martin Moszkowics
20. Produced by- Bernd Eichinger and Samual Hadida
21. Produced by -Don Carmody ,Robert Kulzer
22. Produced by -Jeremy Bolt and Paul W.S Anderson
23.Written and directed by-Paul W.S Anderson
Opening sequence for Resident evil –Afterlife
The establishing shot begins with a ‘bird eye view’ of the city of Tokyo.it then goes one to show to more shots of the city at a closer angle, whilst non-diagectic music plays as the director followed by the two leading actors appear. The shot then goes back to a ‘bird’s eye view’ of pedestrians with their umbrellas up in the rain. The speed of this shot has been slowed down to represent there danger and the mise-en-scene of the rain represents that something within the shot is wrong. The title of the movie then appears on top. They then zoom forward into the audience as this particular film was made specially to be in 3D . The next shot shows a close up of girl’s red shoes in the puddle. The red shoes again, representing some form of warning or danger. This shot then tilts upward in a slow moving fashion as more titles of actors appear .the shot then goes back to an above shot. Where it appears the girl the camera focused on does not have an umbrella. This highlight even further the strangeness of the scene and suggest that something is defiantly wrong .further more showing that the other pedestrians are safe while the girl is not. The camera goes back to the panning upward on the girl until it reaches her face of which her hair is covering most of .this maybe to pay homage to iconic Japanese films, ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Ring’ .
The camera then allows the audience to seen her face via a close up shot; her face appears motionless. A mid shot of a man looking concerned in the direction of the girl then follows.it gives the appearance of a point of view shot from the girl’s perspective. This could be a connotation to show that she made need help. The over-shoulder of shot that follows represents that she is again different from all of the other civilians who are facing the opposite direction. She then turns to face the man who once looks at her and the speed it increased to its original form at the girl opens her month to consume the man. The non-diagectic music is now almost mute, suggesting that something is about to change. He lets out a diagetic scream as he falls to the ground. The others civilians now flee as the camera zooms out to shown the scatter of umbrellas around the victim, it continues to zoom out to an above shot of Tokyo where the lights of the city slowly dim out to symbolize the rapid dilapidation of society . The soundtrack now gets louder as heavy ‘thumping sounds’ are added. The director's name appears as the last title and this is followed by a voice overs of a female, describing the situation as the shot pans out to reveal the earth. The source of is slowly goes behind the earth as it gets dimmer, her final word is ’dead.’it is synchronized with the source of light disappearing , representing the state of the world. (B.D)
1. Production company
-Screen Gems
2. Constantin film/Davis film/ Impact pictures presents
3. Constantin film/Davis film/ Impact pictures production
4. A film by Paul .W. Anderson
5. Staring Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter
6. Titles -Resident evil Afterlife
7. More actors- Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts ,Sergio Peris-Mencheta ,Spencer Locke
8. With Boris Kodjoe and Wentworh Miller
9. Canadian casting by- Robin D. Cook , c.s.a and Uk casting by Suzanne M.Smith
10. Costume Design - Denise Cronenberg
11. Production Designer - Avr Grewal
12. Director of Photography -Glen Macperson
13 Edited by -Niven Howie
14.Visual effects supervisor Dennis Berardi
15. Music by-Tomandany
16. Based upon Capcom's Videogame 'Resident Evil'
17. Associate producer- Hiroyuki Kobayashi
18. Executive producer- Victor Hadida
19. Executive producer-Martin Moszkowics
20. Produced by- Bernd Eichinger and Samual Hadida
21. Produced by -Don Carmody ,Robert Kulzer
22. Produced by -Jeremy Bolt and Paul W.S Anderson
23.Written and directed by-Paul W.S Anderson
Opening sequence for Resident evil –Afterlife
The establishing shot begins with a ‘bird eye view’ of the city of Tokyo.it then goes one to show to more shots of the city at a closer angle, whilst non-diagectic music plays as the director followed by the two leading actors appear. The shot then goes back to a ‘bird’s eye view’ of pedestrians with their umbrellas up in the rain. The speed of this shot has been slowed down to represent there danger and the mise-en-scene of the rain represents that something within the shot is wrong. The title of the movie then appears on top. They then zoom forward into the audience as this particular film was made specially to be in 3D . The next shot shows a close up of girl’s red shoes in the puddle. The red shoes again, representing some form of warning or danger. This shot then tilts upward in a slow moving fashion as more titles of actors appear .the shot then goes back to an above shot. Where it appears the girl the camera focused on does not have an umbrella. This highlight even further the strangeness of the scene and suggest that something is defiantly wrong .further more showing that the other pedestrians are safe while the girl is not. The camera goes back to the panning upward on the girl until it reaches her face of which her hair is covering most of .this maybe to pay homage to iconic Japanese films, ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Ring’ .
The camera then allows the audience to seen her face via a close up shot; her face appears motionless. A mid shot of a man looking concerned in the direction of the girl then follows.it gives the appearance of a point of view shot from the girl’s perspective. This could be a connotation to show that she made need help. The over-shoulder of shot that follows represents that she is again different from all of the other civilians who are facing the opposite direction. She then turns to face the man who once looks at her and the speed it increased to its original form at the girl opens her month to consume the man. The non-diagectic music is now almost mute, suggesting that something is about to change. He lets out a diagetic scream as he falls to the ground. The others civilians now flee as the camera zooms out to shown the scatter of umbrellas around the victim, it continues to zoom out to an above shot of Tokyo where the lights of the city slowly dim out to symbolize the rapid dilapidation of society . The soundtrack now gets louder as heavy ‘thumping sounds’ are added. The director's name appears as the last title and this is followed by a voice overs of a female, describing the situation as the shot pans out to reveal the earth. The source of is slowly goes behind the earth as it gets dimmer, her final word is ’dead.’it is synchronized with the source of light disappearing , representing the state of the world. (B.D)
Dead Snow (2009) (AH)
Dead Snow was directed by Tommy Wirkola. The order of which the titles where presented in the opening title sequence are as follows:
-distibution company- Euforia
-Yellow Bastard Production news on request & Euforia film
-presenter of Miho film porduction
-a Tommy Wirkola film
The first shot shown in the open title sequence is a close up of a section of trees. The lighting is shown to be low key which suggests danger and creates suspense. The soundtrack used at the beginning of the opening sequence was quite comical yet somehow tension building to a point where the soundtrack stops and silence falls. This silence adds to the tension which builds up to the point where there is a quick close up of a horrifying zombie. However the sound track used has no relevance to the opening sequence which confused me slightly, however it does give that comic and a mysterious edge to the extract.
There are many different types of shots used in this extract, ranging from close ups to mid shots. At the beginning of the sequence a few shots of trees are shown, this is the only mise-en-scene in that shot which suggests that the area is isolated which increase the tension and creates atmosphere. Most of the shots used were hand held camera shots to show and emphasis danger. A close up on a branch with passing shadows suggest danger and adds to tension. A tracking shot of the women running suggests she is in a panic and is being chased which is a classic shot used in opening title sequences. The use of the long shot of a women in an isolated area suggests she is alone and vunerable which makes us think what may happen to her. The low key lighting adds to the vunerablity and adds to the tension. The diagetic sound of a crow and sticks snapping suggest that she is not alone. Also by using the sound of wind adds to the tension and creates an eary atmosphere. A close up of the women's face shows her emotions, and from this shot we can tell that she scared and worried. By just having the wind blowing and the use of the heavy breathing creates atmosphric tension which then later adds the build up to when the women is being chased once again by these creatures which then leads to her painful death. The use of screaming and zombie noises makes it look and sound more realistic.
-distibution company- Euforia
-Yellow Bastard Production news on request & Euforia film
-presenter of Miho film porduction
-a Tommy Wirkola film
The first shot shown in the open title sequence is a close up of a section of trees. The lighting is shown to be low key which suggests danger and creates suspense. The soundtrack used at the beginning of the opening sequence was quite comical yet somehow tension building to a point where the soundtrack stops and silence falls. This silence adds to the tension which builds up to the point where there is a quick close up of a horrifying zombie. However the sound track used has no relevance to the opening sequence which confused me slightly, however it does give that comic and a mysterious edge to the extract.
There are many different types of shots used in this extract, ranging from close ups to mid shots. At the beginning of the sequence a few shots of trees are shown, this is the only mise-en-scene in that shot which suggests that the area is isolated which increase the tension and creates atmosphere. Most of the shots used were hand held camera shots to show and emphasis danger. A close up on a branch with passing shadows suggest danger and adds to tension. A tracking shot of the women running suggests she is in a panic and is being chased which is a classic shot used in opening title sequences. The use of the long shot of a women in an isolated area suggests she is alone and vunerable which makes us think what may happen to her. The low key lighting adds to the vunerablity and adds to the tension. The diagetic sound of a crow and sticks snapping suggest that she is not alone. Also by using the sound of wind adds to the tension and creates an eary atmosphere. A close up of the women's face shows her emotions, and from this shot we can tell that she scared and worried. By just having the wind blowing and the use of the heavy breathing creates atmosphric tension which then later adds the build up to when the women is being chased once again by these creatures which then leads to her painful death. The use of screaming and zombie noises makes it look and sound more realistic.