HW 2b - Analysis of Titles in Film Openings (DYM)

Skyfall Timeline

• The opening sequence features non-diagetic music, and exaggerated graphics. This helps to set it apart from the rest of the film. 
• The stylized  opening helps to set the tone of the rest of the film, as it uses lots of shadow, and graphics which connote James Bond, such as smoking guns, drinks, and beautiful women.
• The opening also shows the villain of the film, Silva, as we see him in one shot holding a smoking gun.
• The dark blue color scheme mixed with red helps to emphasise the dark tone of the film.
• The running order is important as from it we can see that the most important actors come first, with the important people behind the camera, like Sam Mendez coming last.

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Godzilla Timeline

• The sequence starts with images of mythical creatures and dinosaurs, this helps to set up the idea of 'the monster'
• The opening also uses lots of graphics reminiscent of the C.I.A, like the redacting of words. It also has images of the C.I.A's more controversial projects, like Project Monarch (a part of MKULTRA), it also shows images of atomic bombs. These help to suggest it may be the American Government's fault for whatever happens, and that it has to do with atomic tests.
• The fast paced music helps to set up the tone of the film, with it connoting sirens like those before an disaster, or atomic test.
• We also get to see a bit of Godzilla, with the government looking like they are trying to bomb him.

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• Both sequences have a very definite running order, with in both cases the actors being very close to the beginning of the sequence, and the more important behind the scenes people, such as the director being right at the end.
• However in Godzilla we do get the institutions before the actors, and the title of the film doesn't come until the end.
• The music is also used in both cases to set up the tone of the film, with the Godzilla music connoting danger, but Skyfall connoting mystery and espionage.
• The images in each sequence are also very important for the setting up of main story points, and help set  the tone and style of the films
• Both title sequences also set up the villains of each film, the government in Godzilla, and Silva in Skyfall.
• Skyfall however has a lot more credits than Godzilla, and is a longer title sequence, as if the focus in Godzilla is on the individual actors, but in Skyfall it is focusing on the whole movie as a production and showing how much work went into the film.