Analysis Of Title Sequence - Dawn Of The Dead

http://player.vimeo.com/external/37711889.hd.mp4?s=bd6d1e53bef20b5af3d94556420d4918


When researching title sequences, I decided to analyse the title sequences to the film Dawn Of The Dead, which falls into the same genre as our film, that genre being horror. The titles sequences for Dawn Of The Dead touches upon the idea of Holy War as harbinger to the apocalypse, and details the consequences for the media when it decides to ask tough questions as the feeding is already upon the characters in the film. The shots which are shown appear to be real war-torn footage with actual human blood as a song by Johnny Cash can be heard and raises the stakes in newfound context.

Here is a screen shot of the different shots used in the titles.

Whilst analysing these titles, I noticed straight away the red font of the titles against a black background. Once the titles have been shown, they slowly disappear and appear like blood dripping to the side of the screen, which I found extremely effective. I liked the red font of the titles as it appeared like blood on screen, fitting in with the horror genre, and I also liked how the titles were in front of a black background, as the black signifies mystery and darkness. I liked the use of this a lot and felt that something similar would look effective in our own film and later decided to use red font against a black background in our own titles.

I also liked the diagetic sounds used in these titles, as when the font, which seems like blood dripping off the screen, the sound effects of the blood can be heard, which I thought was very effective and further fits in with the horror genre and the audience automatically know that there will be lots of blood and gore involved within the film. I specifically liked the sound effect of the screaming as it gradually built up and started off with fairly quiet screaming to very loud, piercing screaming to the main Dawn Of The Dead titles. I also liked the use of the sound effects of the thunder in the build up to the main Dawn Of The Dead titles, as the sound of thunder gives off a scary feeling and gives a sense that something bad is going to happen.

I also felt the different shots of people being used as torture objects and images of them covered in blood with scary expressions on their faces was very effective and I liked the pace in which the shots were shown which was in a very fast pace. By using these shots in a fast pace, it builds up the tension and suspense and gives the audience a sense of foreboding.

Once the main titles have been shown, dialogue can be heard from the different characters in the film, and they are asking a man questions to do with the zombies, which play a key part in the film, however the word 'zombies' isn't actually mentioned, leaving the audience to wonder further what it is exactly the characters are talking about.