I am going to be looking a two different opening title sequences for the movies of Grease and American Horror Story. Grease is a 1978 American musical romance comedy. Written by Bronte Woodward and directed by Randal Kleiser, this film was produced by Paramount Pictures and RSO Records. American Horror Story is an American horror television series created by Ryan Murphy and brad Falchuk. This film was produced by FX network, Brad Falchuk -Vision, Ryan Murphy Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. Both these films are very different genres, and I am going to be comparing both of them.
Grease
The opening title sequence of Grease, begins with diegetic sound saying "Get out of bed its the first day of school", then continues with the soundtrack of a musical sang by a famous/well know USA singer. The genre of this film is emphasised by the font and colours used in opening, the bright and vibrant colours show that it's a happy and fun movie and the use of the big bold titles that are animated with the actions. This shows the viewer that is a comedy/romance/musical genre.
As this title scene continues we are provided with the time period and setting that this film was filmed in, and the audience is able to gather information that it is set in the 1950s due to the style and how it is portrayed as an old school advertisement and being filmed in a town.
We are then introduced to characters, we are shown the character name and the actor together which provides character information. As we are introduced to these character we also provided with long shots which are able to show us character detail.
As these characters are introduced using drawings, they are presented as playing into stereotypes, as the group of boys are portrayed as the bad boy group and 'Sandy' is represented as the typical princess type, getting dressed, waking up in her big elegant bed and her blonde long hair.
The tone of this film is then displayed through the school year-book type of feel it is giving off due to the theatre/musical style intro, and the way each title is portrayed which is as if they are names to shops and on posters around the city/town.
The editing used in the title sequence provides iconic USA 1950s, and very much informs the viewer that this is in the 1950s, so the audience are able to gather a brief narrative and understand the time period and the transitions between each clip are very smooth and they flow into one another.
The long screen time on the last title of 'directed by' is portrayed as the soundtrack is lowering down and coming to an end, which informs the audience that the film is about to begin.
American Horror Story
This opening title sequence automatically tell the viewer what type of genre this is, which is horror. Due to the thick and bold titles which come across as very in your face, and have a gothic style to them. The soundtrack which is used to portray this title sequence is parallel sound and specifically synchronous and is uncomfortable to watch and very unpredictable, these are hints of the genre of this film (horror) and hint at the narrative of this production.
In the whole clip, there are close ups on certain objects and details throughout. There is no iconic or detailed imagery of where and when it is set or the location of the film, or any characters. We are provided with no character information or details therefore it is difficult for the viewer to think of what the narrative could be.
We are exposed to iconic horror imagery throughout the opening title sequence with white clothing, skulls/skeletons, smashed glass, blood, fire and photographs. These are all key factors of a horror genre, and something scary, which further influences the genre of the film.
The use of the short and snappy clips and transitions and very fast action when showing the titles and imagery emphasise on the intimacy and urgency within the film, and set the atmosphere of how the movie will be and to hint to the audience what it will be like, and that it will be a very quick and jumpy film.
Comparing both title credits
Both these title credits introduced a narrative of what the movie may be about and what it could consist of. They both set the scene, atmosphere and tone of the film. Both opening title sequences made the genre clear for both movies and provided solid evidence for both movies of the genre. It was made clear that Grease was a comedy/romance/musical genre and that American Horror Story was a horror genre, which is very important and a key factor for opening credits/scenes, that the genre is portrayed, so it is able to inform the viewer before they watch it. American Horror Story did not provide any character information whatsoever and limited the amount of hints/evidence of the narrative. In comparison to Grease where they provided a varse amount of character information and revealed hints and ideas of what the narrative may consist of.
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