The Title Design

The title design will have the fonts Secular One and Anton. The reason for using these fonts is that one can be more classical and formal. The other is more for being exciting and defined.

The colors we will be using are blue and purple. The reason for this is that they will be the main colors for when time travel is happening. The size will be large because we want to draw some focus to the title design but not take away from what is going on in the film.

The working title is Six States Apart. The title comes from Arizona and Florida (the two locations that the movie will be shown in) are six states apart on a map.

The titles will fly in diagonally and stay at the corners of the screen. They will then fly out the same way they came in. 

Each title will be on the screen for three to four seconds, depending on how important that title is.

 

The Plan

Schedule

2/12-2/13: Scenes 1,4, and 6 will be filmed on these dates. All shots will be filmed.

2/19-2/20: Scenes 2,3, and 5 will be filmed on these dates. All shots will be filmed.

2/21-2/25: Editing will be started and completed within these dates.

Location

Scenes 1,4, and 6 will be filmed at Siena’s house.

Scenes 2,3, and 5 will be filmed at Jade’s house.

Establishing shots will be filmed in Phoenix, Arizona or Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Participants

Actors:

Jenna Olson—Cassandra Baker

Abril Porcile—Stephanie Davis

Quinn McFadden—Jenny

Ashlyn Young—Amber

Someone—Stephanie’s Mom

Filming:

Jade Williams

Siena Zimmerman

Editing:

Jade Williams

Directing:

Siena Zimmerman

Health and Safety

Due to COVID-19, any participant to come in contact with it will be replaced or filming will be postponed.

Backup Plan

If unable to film on those dates, we will postpone editing and film during that time. If unable to complete the editing during the time frame, the editing process will be prolonged. If those locations are unable to work, there are other places that we can film at. If one of the actors can no longer participate, they will be replaced or filming will be postponed.

The Script

Scene 1

Always Forever starts playing.

Cassandra just came back to the present after time traveling to the past. She turns around herself, very dizzy.

Cassandra: “We made it bac…STEPHANIE!! WHERE ARE YOU? This isn’t funny, Stephanie!

Cassandra walks around looking for Stephanie. 

Scene 2

Stephanie just came back to the present after time traveling to the past. She turns around herself, very dizzy.

Stephanie: “That was so nice to relive Cassie!” “Cassie??”

Stephanie looks around the room for Cassandra but does not find her.

Scene 3

Stephanie walks into her room, looking around not recognizing anything in her room. She is confused about what happened in those 10 years. Stephanie starts talking to herself.

Stephanie: “What happened? We didn’t mess anything up. I don’t understand.”

A storm starts up and a loud sound of thunder is heard.

Stephanie: “Of course. There’s the rain.”

Scene 4

Cassandra notices her friends biking down the street. She runs towards them.

Cassandra: “Jenny! Amber! Hey!”

Jenny: “What’s up?”

Cassandra: “Where’s Stephanie?”

Amber: “Stephanie? What are you talking about?”

Cassandra: “Stephanie! Stephanie Davis!”

Jenny: “Are you okay?”

Cassandra: “I’m fine. I gotta go”

Cassandra walks away going towards her house.

Scene 5

Stephanie is looking at the mirror and starts talking to herself almost as if it was a different person.

Stephanie: “Okay, just think about what happened. You and Cassie saw a bottle of liquid labeled time travel. The two of you drank it, maybe that was a bad idea. Whatever.”

Stephanie takes a deep breath trying to focus.

Stephanie: “You both decided to go back to the last day of kindergarten. You got there at the beginning of the school day. Everything was normal until…lunch. LUNCH! Cassie mentioned Arizona! We talked about it all after lunch. Mom must have overheard. She wanted to move to Arizona but we never did. She thought I wanted to move.”

Stephanie jumps from her bed. Running to find her mom.

Stephanie: “MOM!”

Stephanie’s mom: “Honey, what is it?”

Stephanie: “Do you remember my friend from kindergarten, Cassandra Baker?”

Stephanie’s mom: “Yes, from years ago. You haven't thought about her in forever.”

Stephanie: “Okay. Thanks mom.”

Stephanie runs back to her room.

She pulls out her phone looking through all her contacts and doesn’t find one for Cassandra. She then looks at a map.

Stephanie: "Six states apart."

Scene 6

Cassandra is looking through her room, trying to find anything related to Stephanie. She gives up and decides to lie on her bed.

Cassandra: “What have we done?”

Cassandra starts sobbing. 

Title Research: Captain Marvel

The title design is Captain Marvel from Art of the Titles.

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which ones?

There are a total of 32 titles. The titles in the beginning are shots of outer space, often of planets. For the titles including the names of actors, there is a picture of the actor. The music in the background is used to show power. The main colors of the title design are red, yellow, and blue which are the colors of the main character's costume.

What connotations do the images carry?

The connotation of the images is power and strength. Many of the title designs follow a glowing light moving upwards. This can show the increase of power. Also, many of the title designs feature characters standing in front of something dangerous. This can be shown to be power as the character is confident.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Many of the title designs feature planets other than Earth. This can signify science fiction, matching the genre. Also, one of the title design shows glowing eyes from a character. This is another example of science fiction, something other genres do not include. Following a bright light in a movement that is not normal, is another signifier of the genre.

What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

Low camera angles are used to show power and many of them are in this title design. Another camera angle in this title design are extreme close ups. They allow the audience to focus on a character, instead of the setting. The colors are another important element as they signify the main character. Watching the constant change, yet repetition of colors can entice the audience.

Title Research: Men in Black: International

The title design is Men in Black: International from Art of the Title.

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which ones?

There are a total of 10 different titles. The titles started in space and slowly zoomed in to a city. The colors were only blue, black, and white to match the movie. The music used builds suspense and when the titles change, the music changes as well. Each title is on the screen for the same amount of time.

What connotations do the images carry?

The connotation of the images is excitement as to the foreshadowing. For example, one of the titles contains black sunglasses. This is an example of foreshadowing the significance of them. Also, the fast movement and slow movement can be foreshadowing to the movement of the plot. There may be quick events along with slow events.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Outer space is typically an element of the science fiction genre. By including it in the title design, it can be used as foreshadowing. Also, the music contains a clock ticking. This can easily foreshadow time travel, another element of science fiction. It is unclear as to whether neither will be used, only one will be used, or both will be used.

What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

This title design is meant to entice the audience. Using foreshadowing and symbolism allows the title design to show what the movie  will be like. The lack of color is used to cause more of a focus onto the white color representing light. At the end of the title design, the camera follows a light. This is done by using pan and tilt camera movements.

Title Research: X-Men: First Class

The title design is X-Men: First Class from Watch the Titles.

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which ones?

There are a total of 23 different titles. The titles used were the movement of different shapes. At the beginning, there were X's but that eventually stopped. The music used matches the backgrounds. Both are constantly changing. Also, they match each other. As one changes, so does the other. The background features quick, precise movements.

What connotations do the images carry?

The connotation is the use of colors to be captivating, rather than boring. These titles can cause confusion. The images do not have an obvious significant meaning, which will cause confusion.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Some of the backgrounds feature science: DNA and chromosomes. This shows that science will be a focus in the movie.

What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

The title design is made entirely through technology. Cameras were not part of creating it. This means that the editing is the focus for what technology is used. Instead of just black and white, the colors draw the attention of the audience. Also, the fast movement of the background has the same effect. Along with the music. No longer using X's in the title design may be seen as foreshadowing a similar effect in the movie.

Title Research: Gentlemen Broncos

This title design is from the film Gentlemen Broncos and Art of the Title was used.

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which ones?

There are 24 different titles, showing companies and actors. The titles displayed in the opening sequence are different book covers with various backgrounds. For every new title, the book cover and background change. The titles have music in the background and change to match the downbeat of the music. The titles seemed to match the actor or company appearing on the book cover.

What connotations do these images carry?

The connotation of these titles is fear. Aliens and monsters often strike fear into audiences. Although, these are simply book covers, they will reciprocate that same fear.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Many of the book covers show pictures that would likely be scenes in a science fiction film. For example, there is a common theme of aliens and monsters. Also, the music references different years, which can be linked to time travel.

What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

The book covers might be used as foreshadowing to scenes that will occur in the movie. Also, the contrast of normal and crazy between the background and book cover can capture the audiences' attention. Another strategy was that the books look used. The corners are curving up and there are scratches in the middle of the books. Every time the titles change, it matches with the music. The camera angles match perfectly for the different titles. None of them are more zoomed in than another. As well as, the length of the book fits perfectly in the screen. There are no transitions as this would ruin the strategy that the designers intended.

Title Design Websites

Welcome back my lovely readers, today I will be telling you about title design.

Art of the Title is the first website about title design that we will be researching. The purpose of this website is title design sequence in film media. Art of the Title includes several sequences and designers. We are researching this website so we can be prepared for our film. After doing some research, I was able to understand what title designs actually are. We were also able to look at past award nominees and winners for various awards about title design. Art of the Title is an efficient website, which is why we chose it. The website shows the studios at which title designs were made, the designers who made them, and the title designs themselves. It also shows these together. For example, when looking at a studio, the designers and title designs filmed there also appear.

The other website we used is Watch the Titles. Using this website to learn about title design is very easy. This website includes several title designs divided into different categories. One of these categories is student projects, which showcases students' work from all over the world. Another aspect of this website is the long list of designers, along with a brief description for each one. There are also several interviews with some of the designers. Not only does Watch the Titles have title designs for movies, they have title designs for tv shows. The website links title designs, designers, and studios all together. For example, when looking at a specific studio, the title designs filmed there and designers who worked there are shown. Overall, this website has a good structure and is very informative.

Convention Research: Shazam

Cams

• Two shots to show the bonding between two brothers.

• Medium shots during flying shots to show the character(s) along with where they are going.

• Establishing shots to show the new setting and add foreshadowing to something that will happen there.

• Low angles used after victory was reached to establish power and dominance.

Clamps

• Costume to match superpowers and names.

• Dull or bright lighting to match the intent of the scene.

• Acting of excitement for the characters as they discover their super powers.

• Props are used as temporary weapons during fights.

• The settings are large areas that have many smaller places where the fights can constantly move around.

Sound

• Sound effects to match the fights.

• Incidental music during fights to build suspense.

• The use of dialogue saying “Shazam” shows the change to superhero as powerful.

Editing

• Special effects to match the superpowers.

• Zoom to focus on what is going on instead of the setting.

Elements

• The plot of the film has confusion for the characters as to what is going on and excitement as to what could happen.

• The structure of the film starts back in time to show an important scene that establishes something later and then goes to the present.

• The resolution of the film unites the family as a group.

The elements that appeal to us are the use of lighting to magnify what is being shown in the scene. Also, showing victory and power through a low angle. Sound effects are something else that appeals to us because they enhance the scene that is going on and capture the attention of the audience.

The elements that we do not like are the excessive acting, it is very dramatic. The use of props seems pointless and unnecessary for this film. Another thing we did not like is the constant two shots, not having much other shots during certain scenes.

Convention Research: The Tomorrow War

Cams

• Eyeline match shots to avoid showing an imbalance of power.

• Establishing shots to show how drastically different the future is.

• Tilt shot to show how large and important the building where the drafted go.

• Wide shots are often used when the humans are battling the white spikes (the name of the aliens)

• A low angle is finally used once the humans obtained victory to show power.

Clamps

• Camouflage is used to show members of the military. 

• Dark lighting is used during the speech to those drafted to show the fear of the people. 

• The actors are often showing fear during the war or anything involving the war.

• Guns are used as the primary weapon for humans.

• Christmas decorations are included to match the Christmas party.

• In the future, the setting includes many fires, dead bodies, wrecked cars, and other post-apocalyptic type things.

Sound

• During time traveling, there are frequent loud noises to portray the effect of going from present to future.

• There is lots of background music throughout the film to add suspense.

• During announcements, there is an echo to add power.

• There are frequent alien noises in the future to add fear for the audience.

• In the future there is no silence, instead there are frequent sound effects to really show the destruction.

Editing

• During time travel, there are bright colors and frequent color changes to portray going into the future.

• There are zoom outs to show locations.

• Before time travel, there is white light to show that the technology is getting prepared to transport people into the future.

• Flashing lights are included to show danger.

• Slow motion is used to add suspense to the scene.

Elements

• The structure of the movie is to start 28 years into the future and go back in time right away, leaving the audience wanting to continue watching the movie.

• The resolution of the movie has the humans taking victory.

• The conflict is shown very quickly into the movie through means of time traveling.

• The visuals are necessary to show the difference between the present and future. 

Convention Research: Avengers: Endgame

Cams

• Wide shots to show all of what is happening.

• Low angles used to show power.

• High angles used to show lack of power.

• Tracking shots used to show the battles happening.

Clamps

• Superhero costumes to match and show who they are.

• Lighting used to showcase the setting.

• Acting out anger and sadness about the deaths.

• Makeup is used to show bruises and cuts.

• Props are often weapons used in battle.

• Setting shows the battlefield to have many deaths and be gory. 

Sound

• Incidental music is used to build suspense.

• Film score to show battle scenes and signify the importance of it.

• Sound effects of the battles happening to make them realistic.

Editing

• Different color editing effects for different superpowers.

Elements

• This movie is the final movie in the fourth and final movie, it starts in the middle of a story line.

• The conflict in this movie causes destruction and death.

• The structure involves time travel with many different timelines and events crossing.

The elements we liked were the different color effects. Also, the sound effects and the realisticness of the settings. Another element we liked were the use of both high and low angles, contrasting each other.

The elements that did not appeal to us were the structure, it was extremely confusing. Another thing was the similarity between certain superhero costumes that made it difficult to identify the characters.