Decoding Film Titles- "The Art of The Title"

 The assignment I was given was to analyze 2 film openings of the genre i've chosen for my opening which is horror. I was tasked to focus on the camera work, editing, sound, and visuals that create the mood and suggest the horror genre. Then I had to explain why the choices were effective and compare the two openings to show how each one prepares the audience differently for the rest of the film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

The title opening sequence in “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) instantly gives viewers a feel

of discomfort and unease. Director Wes Craven employs use of unclear images and sound

effects. This makes it unclear to the viewer, at least in the beginning, exactly which setting they

are in or who it is they are viewing. This method, however, serves well in a horror film since it

places the audience in the same predicament as the characters.

The horror element is obviously indicated by the eerie setting and weird visions. The beginning

of the sequence anticipates themes such as nightmares, fear, and loss of control without stating

anything clear. The sequence does not state clear answers; thus, it enhances curiosity as to why

things are happening as they are happening.

Visually, the main colors are dark reds, brown, and black. These are indicative of danger and

violence. The angles are close and tight. As a consequence, the setting is one of entrapment.

Indeed, the message is that it will not be easily escaped in the movie. The title fonts are angular

and irregular. Indeed, the message is that the guidelines do not apply in this world.

The editing and sound design help to create the tension. The editing is very deliberate and

draws the attention of the viewer to the unsettling elements of the scene rather than to the

action that might happen. The non diegetic sound elements are the scraping of metal and the

distortion of sound and are very unnatural and threatening to the viewer. Craven employs the

sound effects to make the viewer feel fearful even though they do not really comprehend the

scene that they are viewing.

The target audience would be older teenagers and older individuals interested in psychological

horror films. The beginning shows a dark notion about how even something as harmless as

sleep can be threatening. The target audience can relate to the feeling of discomfort and

curiosity, both of which correspond with the nightmare theme in the film.

On the whole, it is effective because it instils fear through atmosphere and confusion and not

action. It sets up expectations for what could be termed a horror movie that is both creepy and

unpredictable.

The Shining (1980)

In the opening credits of *The Shining*, an eerie feeling is evoked from the beginning. Director

Stanley Kubrick achieves this through the use of sweeping shots of an isolated car traveling

through the mountains to make the viewer feel alone. There are also no spoken words to make

the opening even more eerie. This opening is successful as it creates anticipation before the

actual terrifying events occur.

The horror genre can be inferred through the slow pace, the empty environment, and the

menacing music. The opening also hints at some darker themes, such as isolation and

hopelessness, despite the depiction of a serene environment in the visuals. The viewer is left

wondering why the journey is so ominous, given that the end point will be attained soon.

The color scheme consists mainly of cold shades of blue, white, and green. This makes the

setting an unpleasant one. Kubrick employs extreme long shots that show how minute the

vehicle is in comparison to the environment. This can be perceived as a depiction of the

powerlessness of the characters. The typeface is straightforward and peaceful.

The sound and video work well together in this beginning as well. The video moves slowly and

smoothly, so the audience can assess the size and emptiness of the environment. The non-

diegetic sound, however, moves strongly and deeply, creating a sense of unease in the viewer

even though nothing inappropriate has happened yet. Kubrick intends this with a purpose:

suggesting something bad is happening beneath the surface when in reality nothing has actually

gone wrong yet.

The intended audience of this movie is likely to be older teens and adults who are fans of

psychological horror films. The audience is placed in a position where they are made to feel

apprehensive and curious when they realize that the characters are going to somewhere that is

hazardous to their lives.

In conclusion, the introduction is effective as it emphasizes mood and tension as opposed to

action.

Comparing both films

In both The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street, the opening credit sequences establish

mood rather than introduce plot. They both induce fear in distinctly different ways. In The

Shining, fear is induced through use of wide-shot camera footage, slow cutting, and frightening

background scores, emphasizing isolation and smallness. Conversely, in A Nightmare on Elm

Street, nightmare scenarios of darkness and confinement are induced through dark and eerie

visual effects, unsettling typography, and horrific sound effects, leaving the viewer confused

and disoriented. While The Shining induces fear from a perspective of size and loneliness, A

Nightmare on Elm Street tends to induce fear from a perspective of chaos and a deficiency of

control. In both cases, the credit openings work effectively in explicitly foretelling the

impending horror in each film.

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