The Exorcist II - The Heretic is a horror film made in 1977 by director John Boorman. We are mid-way through editing our opening titles in our first few shots and are researching the many different methods used to open titles. Such methods used are making the credits separate to the opening sequence either before or after, they may add something to the narrative of the film through font style etc or not at all. Another way of showing them is by incorporating them into the opening sequence, again they could add little or nothing to the narrative depending on how their shown.
When researching, our group wanted to research on different genres and the differences between their opening titles and the way they show it. I have looked at the opening titles for the Exorcist II - The Heretic, they are separate to the opening sequence being shown before any filming. The do add something to the narrative through the font style used, colour and music. They are successful as the audience can immediately tell that the film is a Horror due to the way they are shown. The font style is bright red connoting blood, death and is usually used in horrors, they are big and in the style of almost looking like handwriting. All the letters used are in capital letters making them look dominant, like the devil would be. The film is about a devil using people's bodies and so the opening titles are relevant to the story.
The music to this is parallel sound and works well with the opening titles. It is a very dark type of music including mainly drums and bells. The first title seen comes up with 'Linda Blair', as this appears the sound of a Church bell is played. Church bells are used a lot within the opening titles being parallel with the narrative due to churches being the Devils worst fear. The music used would be heard from African tribes, this is necessary as they are known for worshiping gods, instruments such as the Djembe and vocals heard are easily able to be recognized as African. It starts off with church bells and a dominant flute played along with background strings and drums, this is chilling but is then slowly played over with a solo vocalist making it more threatening. The female singer is soon backed up with a choir singing in the background, it is obvious they are singing tribal music due to the way they sing and what they are singing, you don't need the opening titles to be slightly scared when listening to this.
I think the exorcist has done a great job with its opening titles using parallel music and dominant font, this is easily seen as being a horror and even gives the audience the creeps before the film has even started. Being put on a black screen doesn't give us any frightening images, but due to the black screen, these images can be left for the imagination, along with the music the audience may think of scary things therefore is more frightening. It doesn't give any of the story away either. I have learnt that the font is very important when it comes to the opening titles as well as music and sound. I will make sure that when we are doing our opening titles we will think about these things and use parallel music as well as thrilling font.
To view this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDfJOcxdfvM
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