Evaluation of a Title Sequence #1

As part of my research, I decided to examine a horror movie title sequence to put into perspective how typical horror genre conventions are used and portrayed in real title sequences

Featured above is the title sequence for the iconic horror movie "The Conjuring". Right from the start I automatically noticed the font used for the credits was specifically chosen because of its eerie feel when written out. This is an important note for me to remember when my group and I edit our title sequence, as the type of font used can heavily effect how scary or welcoming a film clip appears. Following that, at 0:18 a jump cut was placed in the title sequence showing the Annabelle doll looking off into the distance and then jumping to staring right at the viewer.  This sense of discontinuity makes the audience feel panic towards the doll and the plot (hint hint...horror). At 0:26 cinematography is used again to evoke fear again as a point-of-view shot heading towards a dark basement is shown. Point-of-view shots are an easy way to spark fear because it puts the audience in the characters shoes. Throughout the first half of the clip, mise-en-scene is used to promote horror. The usage of a black and red color scheme and low key lighting increases the "fear of the unknown" for the viewers. Again, I will make sure to note how vital colors are to the feel of a clip during filming and editing... we don't want a horror film full of neon pinks and yellows. This title sequence adheres to the supernatural, unknown fears that my title sequence is planning to target. By studying this clip, I can hopefully use some of the same techniques in my final product :) 

Sources:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZnK4pmlvTQ

The Beginning of it All :O

        Our film, Lucid Elucidations, is part of the horror genre. My partners include Ben Isaacs, Pierce Thomas, and Bianca Raby. Together, we have created an idea for our title sequence, which includes our actor, or protagonist, either 1) dreaming or 2) recalling a past memory. Either way, the protagonist will be in the midst of abnormal, creepy happenings, that make the viewer unsettled. It's an attempt to scare the audience psychologically, and to grasp at the fear of the unknown. At some point, the protagonist will snap out of their dream or recollection of memories, and will be back in "normal" time, where nothing scary is (currently) happening...
The exact details are not sketched in stone, but we do have a general outline of the big picture.

Here are the links to my partners blogs, for more information on the progression of our film:
Pierce Thomas -http://elucidation.home.blog
Ben Isaacs -https://beni102501.blogspot.com
Bianca Raby -http://biancaraby.home.blog

I've done research on horror film codes and conventions to help achieve the most accurate level of "scare". To begin, a major feature found in many horror films is a strong foreshadowing event in the beginning[ hence the dream/memory in our title sequence ;) ]. Typically, a horror film tries to build a theme off of common human fears, such as the supernatural, the dark, nightmares and murder. Settings usually include isolated areas, including but not limited to dark fields and old houses to make the viewer feel alone. Cinematography is a huge factor when evoking fear. Shots such as very high/low angle shots, POV shots, handheld shots, close-ups and using shallow depth of field are all effective ways to portray a sense of abnormality to the audience and convey the fear that the characters are feeling. Sound in itself can be scary, so correct usage in horror films is vital (using ambient, diegetic sounds, such as breathing or footsteps). Mise-en-scene such as dark colored costuming and low key lighting help to increase the feeling of isolation and give off a sense of death or a form of looming darkness.

Here's my link from North Seattle college film conventions: 

http://facweb.northseattle.edu/jclapp/HUM%20110/Handouts%20and%20Lectures/Horror%20Film%20Codes%20and%20Conventions.pptx