Research: Opening Credits - Mrs. Quinlan

What are opening credits & what are their purpose?

Opening credits are usually shown at the beginning of a movie listing the most important people who contributed to the production of the film. The most important credits comes first during the opening which are the names presented in order of significance 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, as the audience are more likely to remember the last name they saw. Often opening credits follow some themes that will support that film genre in order to establish the movie type. The purpose of the opening credits is to show the significant stars who are playing in the film and the production team to allow the audience to see who is starring in the film and the names of people who have contributed in the movie. For example if the company is well known or the director is credible the viewers are more likely to watch the movie.

What information they provide?

Order of credits:                                                                                          

                                                                      

• Name of studio                                                                               
• Name of the production company                                                  
• Producers name                                                                               
• Directors name

• Starring                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Film's Title
• Edited by                                                                                          

• Music or Music Composed by                                                       

• Story boarded by                                                                               

 Alternative credits:                                                                                                                  

• Production company                                                  

• Title

• Lead cast

• Music composer
• Editor

• Producer
• Writer
• Director

These are information that the opening credits provide in the movie. In the first configuration the name of the studio such as Universal, Miramax Film, New line Cinema etc. are being presented. Firstly followed by the production company, producer, director, starring, film title, editor and story boarder. Whereas the second format include the production company presented first followed by the title, lead cast, music, composer, editor, producer, writer and then the director. Opening credits allows the viewers to identify which person is responsible for each job in helping to produce the movie. Overall, the opening credits provide essential information to connect with the audience so they are more aware of the production.

THE NUMBER 23 ANALYSIS: 

The opening credits from the movie 'The number 23' follows the first format, it begins by introducing the production company, which is New Line, and it continues by showing the name of the production name, producers and director names. Moreover, it shows the name of the main characters and then the title of the film. This allows the audience to identify the importance of the characters and introduce the film narrative. After the title the lead cast in introduced which is then followed by the music composer and editor. This structure is typically used in many films and it works well as the audience can identify the importance of roles in the films, which also makes them have predictions about the movie and characters. Lastly, it allows them to immediately connect with the movie as they are being introduced to the people who support the production of the film before watching it. From this scene, we can see that the typography used is hand written and also scribbled on top, which may connote the frustrated mind of the protagonist trying to solve a case, or perhaps the psychopath mind of the antagonist writing a secret message. The opening credits looks like that is written in an old papers and the typography is coloured in black which makes the spectators feel threat as the black colour connote death and misery. Furthermore, the opening credits is complemented with the use of an eerie soundtrack which create suspense and tension through the viewers. Overall, this opening credits is really effective as the number 23 is permanently show which makes the audience wonder what the number could mean making them think all the different connotations of this number, thus engaging the audience and making them feel curious.

What is the audience response?

Although the audience don't usually put much importance in the opening credits, they still have different effects on the audience according to their representation. If credits are accompanied by unexpected and dark soundtrack the viewer will feel nervous and a feeling of suspense and tension will be created, which will also make them predicts what may happen in the narrative of the movie. However, to make the spectators feel fear of the unknown the credits used should be demonstrated by using images behind it and presented on a black screen so the audience will be left in suspense as they are ensure of what will happen next. Overall, opening credits can be effective as well as using the narrative of the movie presented, which will create excitement as the audience will know the themes demonstrated in the movie. For example, in 'The number 23' scene the opening credits have a huge impact in the movie and the audience response. This is because they way is demonstrated which allows the viewers make assumptions about the movie. Also as they are well represented we can infer that the film had a big budget, therefore was able to make a good first impression. Moreover, the credits can help establish the nature and genre of the film by using specific codes. For example from this scene we can suggest that the movie is a psychological thriller because of the different references of the number 23. Overall, this opening credits is really effective as it follow the codes and conventions of a thriller genre which engage the audience a create the right atmosphere.

MEMENTO ANALYSIS:

In the opening scene from the film 'Memento' the credits are simply shown by the text and a black backgrounds. The credits are highlighted by the blue colour used in the typography, which makes the audience have a feeling of tension and fear as they do not know what will happen next. From the start of the opening we can hear the non-diegetic sound of an eerie soundtrack is used, which immediately create a feeling of anxiety to the viewers as they can suggests that something dark and unpleasant might happen. As the scene develops, the production company and the actors names are shown 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, costume etc. are presented with a close up of a picture with an hand moving the image. This makes the audience create a feeling of frustration as the picture captured shows a dead person with blood spreads all over the floor and wall. As the scene progress, we can see 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 it will remain memorable by the audience who are likely to remember these names. Finally, we can see that the scene is edited backwards. This is visible when we see a characters taking the picture of the dead body. As the scene continuous backwards we can see that the character in the antagonist as he shoot the vulnerable character which makes the audience questioning why the antagonist killed the characters which is conventional to a thriller movie. Overall, this opening of the thriller movie 'Memento' has the correct impact on the audience as they will respond within unpredictability and tension. 

Conclusion:

For my opening thriller my credits will be shown within the narrative that I will create. I will ensure to include my production company names first, and then provides the other information such as title, lead cast, music composer, editor, producer, writer and then director, so my thriller will look professional and provides the audience with information about the production of the opening thriller. My opening credits will also accompanied by a sinister and mysterious soundtrack creating fright and suspense for the audience. This will ensure that my opening credits are successfully produced with the correct response from the audience. Also the typography will play a huge role in the opening credits scene. I would like to use a spooky and edgy typography to connote evilness and danger. Also the typography will be in red connoting blood, while the narrative of the scene is shown to make the audience feel thrilled.