In class we we're given the task to find a title sequence from the website 'Art of the Title' and to write up on our blogs about it. The title sequence for movies nowadays play a major part in the whole creation and final product of making a film. Whether that being a simple white on black sequence with interesting animation, a complete editing frenzy full of quirkiness and graphic input or even the art folks, who choose to create titles from everyday objects and use their imagination to come up with something unique.
The title sequence I have chosen to analyse is from the movie Napoleon Dynamite (2004), as it's one of my favourite films and I think the title is very creative and unique.
Above is the frame by frame title sequence for Napoleon Dynamite.
Although this doesn't have similarities to my chosen genre of Psychological Thriller it has the same idea that I want to achieve just with a twist.
What I find really interesting(and no doubt the reasoning for it being on Art of the Title)is the amount of creativity and uniqueness this title sequence upholds. I think the use of food to create titles and names is very symbolic to the film. And the items such as school I.D and library book slips all fit in with the theme of the movie. No matter how 'cheesy' and 'cringe worthy' the opening title is it can't help but put a smile on your face at it's 'vintage' vibe helps with bringing back nostalgic memories. Napoleon Dynamite is a movie based in 2004 with the qualities and simplicity of the 80's and 90's. The director of the movie, Jared Hess had mentioned in his interview on the title sequence that he wanted it to feel "organic". Because the movie was already low budget ($400,000) they wanted to keep the title just so, matching the flow of the movie. So they filmed the sequence in a basement with old carpets. I love the fact they decided to do this as it all adds to it's rare, rural feel that makes me adore the movie so much.
Jared Hess goes on to explain the reasoning behind some of the 'old school' objects in the sequence and that in one shot there;
"There is one title shot with a trapper keeper with the micro machines, and in grade school me and my buddies would hide stuff in there. Those were some of the initial ideas, to have the credits be these embedded objects that were a part of Napoleon's life."
The quirky ideas for the title sequence reflect on the movie and Napoleon's personality. The camera use for the titles was fun also. It's shot as if the person holding the objects is viewing it and we're seeing it through their eyes.(Point of view shot)
Timeline
From my timeline of "Napoleon Dynamite" I noticed that everything was pretty slow paced, the start began with a soothing, quiet ambience, with the sounds of birds chirping as if waking up on a sunny spring morning (like being back at school). The main music then began to play by The White Stripes - "We're Going To Be Friends." The music fits the title sequence perfectly as it's a medium tempo and sounds nostalgic. It's often saying "I can tell that we are going to be friends" which brings back the theme of the film, a teenage boy in high school. Throughout the titles we seen someone handling the food but we can't see their face, only their hands; planting the image of Napoleon in our minds.
The first of the titles to come through are the production companies and subsidiary companies. 20th Century Fox's subsidiary company Fox Searchlight Pictures was mentioned in the title who are owned by News Corporation, one of the big 6. It then follows on with 'Paramount Pictures' who are another company owned by VIACOM (another member of the big 6) then last of the productions titles was MTV Films who are associated with Paramount and also owned by VIACOM.
Following on from the production titles is all the above the line talent such as main actors (Jon Heder) and secondary characters (Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Rameriez, Tina Majorino and Diedrich Bader). Then minor roles such as casting (Joiy Weitz)and Music (John Swiharts). Finishing with the more important roles such as Editor (Jeremy Coon), Production Designer (Cory Lorenzen), Director of Photography (Munn Powell) and Writers (Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess). Finally and most importantly the Director is last (Jared Hess.)
In total the title sequence lasted 2 minutes and 41 seconds.
No comments:
Post a Comment