Research:Opening Credits -Mr Smith

       

 Opening Credits 

  

What are opening credits? 

Opening credits are shown at the beginning of a film listing the most important people who have contributed to the production of a film. They are usually presented as text superimposed on a blank screen or during the opening scene of a film accompanied by off screen sound. During the opening credits the names are presented strategically in order of importance with the most important name last. For example, the director of the film is usually presented at the end after the other names because the director is the most important person in production. 

 

What is their purpose? 

The purpose of opening credits is to introduce the significant stars who are playing in the film and the production team to the audience allowing them to see who is starring in the film and the names of everybody who have contributed to produce the film. 

 

What information do they provide? Order of appearance? 

 

Opening credits usually appear in two common formats in different films.One format includes the name of the studio such as Univeral, miramax etc being presented first followed by the production company, producer, director, starring, film title, editor and story boarder. The second format consists of the production company presented first followed by the title, lead cast, music composer, editor, producer, writer and then the director. Opening credits allows the audience to identify which person is  responsible for each task in helping to produce the film.In the first format the director and producer are near the beginning of the credits suggesting that the production roles are in a hierarchy with the most authoritative role near the beginning followed by the other roles. This allows the audience to identify the importance of each role and the person responsible for the role. In the second format the director and producer have their names closer together towards the end of the credits as they have the more authoritative roles so the audience are more likely to remember their names. The celebrities starring in the film are near the beginning of the credits immediately introducing the celebrities to the audience in the second format.  Overall, the opening credits provide essential information to connect with the audience so they know more aware of the production.

Example

The opening credits from the film 'Catch me if you can' follows the second format as spoken about above, it begins by introducing the production company, however, instead of the title appearing the most famous actors 'Leonardo Di Caprio' and 'Tom Hanks' are introduced allowing the audience to identify the importance of these characters, the format is then reinforced  as the title appears 'Catch me if you can.' After the title the lead cast is introduced which is then followed by the music composer and editor. Finally, the producer, writer and director are introduced after one another. This structure is a common structure used in many films and it works we'll as the audience can identify the importance of roles in the films, and after identifying the lead cast the audience are able to make predictions about the film and characters based on particular knowledge about the actors. Overall, it allows them to immediately connect with the film as they are being introduced to the people who supported the production of the film before watching the film. 

 

How do they make the audience feel?

Opening credits have different effects on the audience according to their presentation. if credits are accompanied by an unexpected and dark soundtrack the audience may experience feelings of fear and tension as they can predict what is going to occur in the film. However, if there is no images behind and the credits are presented on a black screen the audience wait in suspense as they are unsure of what to expect from the film as there is no indication  of what the narrative will be about, however the use of a black screen symbolises darkness and a fear of the unknown.  Furthermore, opening credits can be more effective and have a greater effect on the audience if there are moving images which do not make sense accompanying the credits making the audience question what is going on. This creates excitement as the unpredictability adds to the fear and threat the audience is experiencing.


Opening from a thriller film that has been analysed?

 

In the opening scene from the film 'Se7en' the credits are accompanied by moving images of various books and drawings that are being handled by the antagonist, it is obvious that the hands belong to the antagonist as they have an unhygienic appearance with plasters. These moving images create fear and tension for audience as they question what the antagonists intensions are as it is not clear from what is going on. The soundtrack used in this opening also creates tension and adrenaline for the audience as it has sounds of machinery and blades illustrating that problems are going to occur involving danger. The squeaky, eerie sounds created make the audience quiver with suspense as they do not know what to expect after seeing these images and hearing the sinister soundtrack. The presentation of the names begins with the production company then actors names appear who star in the film immediately making the audience aware of what to expect from the actors, then the other names of people contributing to the production such as producers of music, makeup and iconography are presented giving the audience a chance to understand what roles certain individuals had in the making of the film. Finally, the producer and directors names appear at the end of the credits as these individuals had a huge impact on the film production and therefore have a right to remain memorable by the audience who are likely to remember these names. Overall, this opening of the thriller film 'Se7en' has the correct impact on the audience as they respond with unpredictability and tension.


Conclusion: What information will you use in your opening credits?

When I create my thriller opening I will ensure I include my production company name first so my thriller immediately looks professional and provides the audience with information about the productions of the film. Then I will go on to introduce the names of the people who participated in producing the film in order of importance putting the directors and producers name at the end making them memorable for the audience. The opening credits will be accompanied by a eerie soundtrack creating fright and suspense for the audience heightening the adrenaline they experience. These emotions enable the audience to build up their excitement and prepare for the events to come. I will put the credits on the back of a black screen so the audience do not know what to expect building tension and suspense for them as they await nervously for the film to start. I will also produce a soundtrack that heightens the nerves and creates adrenaline for the audience. This will ensure my opening credits are successfully produced obtaining the correct response from the audience and making my thriller opening exciting and tense.