textual research into the opening title for the shining

1. Textual research 1

2. Institutional Context
The first logo we see is “A STANLEY KUBERICK FILM” this is in all
caps and a bright blue font which makes is really stand out in
comparison to its background. They have used a display font to
construct this, also its moves up from the bottom of the page. It moves
up from the bottom of the screen to the middle then off the top of the
page and disappears.

3. Editing pg.2
The second title we see is “JACK NICHOLSON” who is the main actor in the
film. This is done in bold bright blue display font which makes it very easy
and clear to read. The text is also centered on the screen so that the
audience wont miss it and that all their attention will be focused on this as it
moves from onto and from the screen. All of the titles on the opening scene
are all done in this font and all move in the same way as one another.

4. Editing pg.3
In this shot we see the film title and this is done in a slightly larger font
than the other titles. We also see that it is shown on a darker
background from the rest which makes the title stand out more than the
others. It again moves from the bottom to the top of the screen
appearing and disappearing from the shot.

5. Narrative pg.1
In the opening sequence of the shining we see lots of extra long
establishing shots which without sound look like they could be for the
start of an adventure film or a romance but in fact when we hear the
sinister non-diagetic music it makes the audience see that this film is
clearly going to be a horror or atleast a thriller. Later in the sequence
we pan into a small yellow VW beetle driving through the mountains we
see that this is the only car in the shot which makes the
Audience see that they are
Completely alone, at the
point the music also
becomes more eerie
and sinister than it was this
builds some suspense for
the audience.

6. Narrative pg.2
This shot of the car driving through a heavily wooded area shows the
audience that where they are going is very excluded and hard the get
too it also shows that if anything were to happen they would be hard
pushed to find help. The mise en scene shows us very dark colors this
could show the danger of their current surroundings.

7. Narrative pg.3
We see that they are driving up and rising to a more and more this shows
how secluded they are going to be once they have got to where they are
going this is also supported by the extreme long shot and makes the audience
wonder where they are heading too and it adds a sense of danger to the
scene. Whilst looking at this shot we can see the car is very singled out and is
the main piece in the shot it shows how secluded they are alone without any
help which makes the audience worry for the person/people in the car.
The subtle use of the technical codes
And the composition of the shot
Suggests that isolation, exclusion
And feelings of displacement will be
Themes throughout the narrative.

8. In the opening title we see how the camera almost stalks the car like it is its
prey and its moving in on its target, it also looks like the mountains are almost
starting to create a closed shot that is almost trapping the car.
Narrative pg.4

9. Genre
The genre of the film is horror this is shown with
the seclusion of the people within the film in the
car this shows some classic horror elements also
we hear some string instrumental slow music
which also fits with the genre. The start of this
film and the way they lead us through this
almost untouched environment by following the
car helps the viewer understand just how alone
they are by the time they make it to the hotel.