The document summarizes observations from analyzing opening title sequences (OTS) from 15 horror films shown in class. It notes that horror film OTS' often use non-linear or symbolic elements, music plays a key role, and characters or the storyline's basis may be revealed. CGI is common in symbolic OTS' and they establish genre, storyline, setting, and reinforce or contradict themes. Students were assigned to analyze the OTS of specific films, including Evil Dead. Felix Bartlett's analysis found the Evil Dead OTS was symbolic, establishing themes of violence through blood and weapons, without revealing characters. It prepares viewers for the film's genre and themes but does not challenge conventions.

1. [Research]
Assign 10: Analysing real OTS

2. After watching 15 OTS’ in class, we have made
the following 10 observations:
• Horror films generally use non-linear or symbolic OTS’
•The use of music is a key part of the OTS
• Most OTS’ reveal some of the characters in the film
• CGI is common in symbolic OTS’
• It establishes the genre
• Reveals the basis of the storyline
• Sometimes reveals the setting
• OTS’ can reinforce or contradict common themes in the
films
• Music is used to set the tone of the film
• Reveals the themes that will appear in the film

3. Felix Bartlett’s OTS notes:

4. Gareth Tyrrell’s OTS notes:

5. Fabian Hogg’s OTS notes:

6. We were really inspired by the
following 4 OTS’:
• Evil Dead

7. Who will analyse what:
Felix Bartlett Gareth Tyrrell Fabian Hogg
Evil Dead Zombieland

8. ‘Evil Dead’
By: Felix Bartlett

9. Answers
It’s a symbolic OTS:
• It’s used to introduce the themes that will appear in the film; in this case those themes are blood,
violence etc
•The themes shown are blood, gore, violence, weapons, death, murder, horror, and evil
The OTS prepares for the film by:
• Establishing the sub-genre: Devil & Demon & Hell
• Establishing the themes as previously mentioned
• Giving the audience a glimpse of some of the events that will occur in the film
Creates narrative enigma?:
• No characters are revealed in the OTS
• Reveals some events that will happen in the movie through the symbolic intro
• Makes the audience question who will die in the film and how

10. Answers (cont)
It doesn’t challenge the themes and conventions of the genre:
• Symbolic OTS’ are quite common in horror films now
• Uses themes and symbolism common to the sub-genre
• Reinforces the themes common to the genre through the use of CGI
Presents credits and main title by:
•Smaller font size used for cast roles and bigger font for names
• Font is in red to symbolise blood
• The main title fills the screen, is coloured in a glowing red and shows trees growing
across the title, revealing the setting.

11. I enjoyed...
• The following slides illustrate what I enjoyed
and found effective

12. Bold font for the title & the use of trees, revealing the setting

13. Extreme close up shots & placement and font of credits

14. Use of weapons and blood to symbolise themes and future events in the
film

15. Use of low key lighting

16. Slow-motion shots and use of fast cuts