Research into order of opening credits

Harold and Maude:

This 1971 American black comedy film has similar aspects to our thriller.

The Opening Credits:

• Paramount Pictures is the first title shown thus indicates what film company produced and distributed the film.
• There is a long pause before the title of the film comes onto screen, and the film title is in a small font and is placed at the bottom of the screen. The stark contrast between the white font and dark background allows the audience to notice the title. The fact that the title is in a small font implies that this film is quite an understated and subtle film.
• The next title show names of the two main actors in the film; Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. These actors are well known to those interested in films and both have large followings. These titles are being put at the beginning of the credits in order to entice the audience while also letting them know who is in the film.
• The next titles are of the co-stars in the film, again letting the audience know who is in the film and allowing the audience to make a judgement on the film, based on the actors in it.
• The composer and performer of the music in the film is then acknowledged. As Cat Stevens is famous and well renowned this shows that the music will be a key part of the film.
• The director of photography, camera, costume, make up are then highlighted, again implying that these aspects of the film should be recognised.
• The producers are then recognised along with the editors.
• The director, Hal Ashby, is shown last therefore portraying his importance in the film.

No Such Thing:

This is a 2001 Drama fantasy based in Iceland.

The font is small and white at the beginning and moves across a dark screen therefore allows the audience time to register the film company.

• The first credit is of the film institution and the production company; United Artists Films, American Zoetrope
• The next credit appears later on, and states who the film is associated with; The Icelandic Film Corporation and True Fiction Pictures. This allows the audience to understand who helped create the film thus allows the audience to make a pre-judgement on the film.
• The next credit is of the director - Hal Hartley. This allows the audience too recognise the director and therefore may give insight into how good the film will be.
• The rest of the credits come towards the end of the opening scene and they are not interspersed between parts of the film. The credits are still against a black background, but there is far more movement and white spirals are bringing the credits across the screen. This allows the audience to take an interest in the credits and have time to read them clearly.
• The main actors are listed first, this shows the audience who is in the film thus allows them to gauge the skill of the actors.
• The title is given next, and is slightly larger font in order draw attention to it.
• Some co-stars are then listed, along with the make up, costume, production designers and editor. These are less interesting to the audience so are therefore placed in the middle of the title sequence.
• Hal Hartley's name is then shown again in order to emphasise him as the director.
• The spirals that are moving across the screen become more visible so that the audience can see that they are more to do with atomic structures, thus hinting that the film has supernatural qualities.

Reservoir Dogs:

Another member of my group dissected Reservoir Dogs, and here it is:

 Reservoir dogs' opening titles start with the actors in a café. The first title that comes up shows the audience that the film is directed by Quentin Tarantino. Quentin Tarantino is a very well known director, who is said to have 'created a movie genre of his own' according to the New York Times. This is effective as it would lead the audience to make a pre-judgement of the film.

The next titles then come when the actors leave the café and begin to walk down the road as a group. The sequence then cuts from actor to actor while the name of each actor comes up when the camera is focused on them. This allows you to associate the actor with a name rather than having to guess. This also shows a well respected cast of lead actors as they are the second titles shown.

After all of the actors are named there is a wide shot filming the back of them all as a group where the next titles come up. Firstly 'are' is seen and then 'Reservoir Dogs'. This is effective as it groups the whole cast together under one name.

There is then a list of the remaining actors and crew such as casting, music supervisor, costume designer, editor, etc. This is short and happens fairly quickly which leaves the audience enough time to read them and take them in but not enough time for their minds to wander.

The last credit is then the name of the producer which shows the importance of the producer. The whole way through the titles are plain yellow text which is effective as it does not draw attention away from the actors. The titles are simplistic which makes them clear and easy for the audience to read. The only time the titles change is when the film title come up in capitals which draws attention to the title of the film.