Reference Film Styles

We think that an interesting type of film and editing is the title sequence/opening credit scene of tv shows and movies. They integrate text and film in interesting ways that capture the audience's attention. They also clearly each convey a specific tone.
These are some of our favourites that help give us ideas for our film(s) and are a style similar to what we envision for our camera work and editing:

Dexter, 2006 - 2013, Title Sequence Created by the Production Studio Digital Kitchen

The title sequence to the tv show 'Dexter' makes everyday habits seem creepy through the use of close up and extreme close up shots, and also slow motion. You begin to see more of the main character's features as the sequence progresses. The colour red is strongly used throughout to symbolise the main theme of the tv show.

The Returned, 2012 - Present, Title Sequence Created by Wayne Edwards

The french tv show 'The Returned' features imagery that unsettles the viewer and hints at the theme. It uses wide angle shots to set the scene; and time-lapses and slow motion to show the passing of time. The cumulative effect results in an eerie atmosphere that makes the viewer feel that not all is right and as it seems.

The Walking Dead, 2010 - Present, Title Sequence Created by the Production Studio yU+co

The opening credits throughout the seasons of the tv show 'The Walking Dead' all feature effects such as desaturation and distortion; and shots such as close ups and slow panning shots. Recurring symbols are sinister moving shadows, deserted, run-down places, weapons, crows, broken objects/belongings. These symbols suggest the show's main themes of death, fear, uncertainty, horror,  and desolation. The music is tense and unnerving which helps build the audience's feeling of anxiety as the opening sequence progresses.

Boardwalk Empire, 2010, Title Sequence Created by Terence Winter

This title sequence (from the tv show 'Boardwalk Empire') also makes use of slow motion, time-lapse and close up shots to build a feeling of the main character's turbulent life and opulent lifestyle. We like how the shots of waves, clouds etc slow down/stop when as the text appears on top of the shot. The music helps subtly build momentum as the sequence goes on. The shots start off bright and get darker - portrayed through the weather, but this turns around at the climax of the action and the shots become bright again.

Pretty Little Liars, 2010 - Present

This opening sequence from the tv show 'Pretty Little Liars' uses extreme close ups to intrigue the viewer and give them little tidbits of information from which they can decode what's happening. The whole look of this title sequence is very airbrushed and perfect things over top of dark backgrounds which makes the viewer feel unsettled.

Seven, 1995, Title Sequence Created by Kyle Cooper

The handwritten font in this film's title sequence is scratchy and flickery to give a sinister feeling and make the audience feel afraid. The close ups, dark colours and disembodied, unusual sounds build a feeling of unease in the audience. Flickering cuts, layered shots and intensifying music make the audience feel as though they are in danger.

To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962, Title Sequence Created by Stephen Frankfurt

The opening credits to the film 'To Kill a Mockingbird' rely heavily on close ups and extreme close ups to give the viewer metaphorical hints as to the themes of the film (e.g. colours of marbles and crayons symbolise different races, old watch and coins links it to a time period). Slow pans help set the scene and the action is all provided by a child's hand - but you never see any other body part. You can hear the child laughing and the watch ticking which helps establish the two important things in the scene.

The Incredible Hulk, 2008, Title Sequence Created by Kyle Cooper

The title sequence for 'The Incredible Hulk' features the colour green heavily to visually link to the Hulk character before you see him. The whole sequence acts as a backstory to the events of the film so that the audience knows what occurred. Medical and science references and symbols such as x-rays of the brain/skull, MRI devices, and charts provide information to suggest the environment and situation to the audience . Distortion helps show when the audience is viewing things from the Hulk's point of view. Close ups of newspaper articles tell the story and a metronome shows the passing of time. The film continuously switches between close-up, point-of-view and head shots.