AS Media timeline analysis

 

AS Media Thriller Timeline Analysis

 

We have utilised typography in an efficient and unique manner in order to demonstrate our modern approach to creating this thriller opening. Our titles will be displayed in a ‘super-imposed’ (graphically placed over the shots in the trailer). This type of typography is incredibly common in 21^st century thriller openings, as opposed to thriller films of a different age, which would likely include titles that are physically placed in the shots. Due to the relatively suspenseful nature of our opening, these title sequences are played through at a slow speed of around 5-10 seconds each in order to instil a sense of forebodingness, as well as to create tension.

In order to decide our font of choice, we conducted an internet poll. Deciding typography font is a process that must be though through carefully, so as to match the correct genre, sub-genres and meaning in relation to the shots shown on screen.

An example we’d like to emulate in our thriller is the typography style used in the psychological/mystery thriller ‘Se7en’. Certain letters are intentionally blurred or distorted so that the audience will find difficulty to read them. The purpose of this is to replicate the sense of uneasiness and confusion the viewer will feel at this point, and to infer to the audience that the following film will contain mystery and enigma that the audience must solve. By choosing a similar font for our thriller opening that is used constantly throughout both scenes of the killer alone and the chase scene, the audience is immediately understanding of the type of film trailer we are showcasing. Not only this, but superimposed ‘informal’ (jagged looking, shaky etc.) typography further demonstrates a more modern approach to creating a thriller trailer. More modern typography is usually focused on appearing appealing and interesting to the reader, as opposed to plain, dull and too formal. In the past, thriller titles would use large, bold font that is clearly visible to the reader, with the purpose of simply establishing the name of the thriller the viewer is watching.

In Psycho, The Brides of Dracula, Misery and many other thriller films of its era, the film title would be displayed in bold font and would be large enough so as to intimidate the viewer.

 

 

 

 

However in most modern day thrillers, typography is used more subtly, and usually is placed towards the edge of the screen or in one of the corners. This serves the purpose of appearing more mysterious and secretive. In our thriller, instead of being placed in the centre, our titles will be placed towards the edge of the screen, so as to appear updated and informal as mentioned above. Also, by placing our titles towards the edge of the screen, the viewer is not distracted from the sequences or action on screen, which may contain vital information.

The timing of our titles will also be crucial, so as to compliment the soundtrack not to distract from it. This means we will have to carefully consider at which point to fade titles in and when they disappear. This will likely be decided after filming, as it is difficult to judge which shots will appear at what point in the soundtrack before this point. Our typography will also likely be decided based upon the soundtrack we use, since like Se7en, the title font may want to replicate the events on screen and the soundtrack as much as possible. For example, in Se7en, jagged typography is intentionally used to match the sharp and unusual soundtrack. Noticeably, the font type becomes more erratic and difficult to decipher as the shot tempo increases and the soundtrack becomes more violent. We could replicate this in our thriller by using cleaner, calm font in the beginning as the suspense builds, but as the chase scene begins and the soundtrack develops, the typography could become more distinguished and jagged.

Another crucial area in which our typography can affect the audience is colour. Colour of the titles compared to the background colour can create any type of effect the director wants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both of these thrillers use superimposed typography in white lettering on a black background to infer to the audience the type of genre they are catering to.