In order to gain a improved knowledge of what makes a great credit sequence I decided to analyse the opening to John Carpenter's film - The Ward. Even though 'The Ward' is a horror film, I was not looking to analyse the opening scene just the credit sequence which, personally, I felt that this credit sequence set the mood of the film perfectly as well as, at the same time, creeping the viewer out and making them already on edge for what is going to happen. I thought that it would be helpful to look at what a horror film credit sequence contained, as I've analysed multiple thrillers, because it could aid us when doing our own credit sequence by adding elements into the credit sequence to depict a more sinister thriller genre. It also gives an insight to what the film might possibly contain as the picture below, taken from the opening sequence, suggest:
The opening credit sequence involves, as shown above, superimposed images of, woodcut prints from the middle ages depicting men and women racked to the tools of torture. This immediately creates a sense of threat and danger within the film which the viewers will be expecting. The superimposed images are also being shattered, in various ways, as if they were printed on glass further implying a dangerous tone to the film. Also the glass can be playing on peoples superstitions as it is said that shattering a mirror or glass can cause 7 years bad luck. Techniques like arousing peoples superstitions was commonly used by Alfred Hitchcock.
However as the credit sequence carries on, the images of tortured victims (shown below) seem to look more recent judging by the clothing of the people being tortured. This would create a sense that these ways of torture may still be around today and leave the viewers rather uncomfortable and threatened as it could happen in real life.
As the glass is shattering the names of either the director, actors/actresses etc are presented in a reversed out copy or white colour which stands out more as the background is black and it is also in a san serif font. However, the font, is not really implying great threat because it allows the main focus to then be appointed onto the disturbing images. This example of editing could possibly be useful in our opening. Then at the end of the credit sequence there is an example of a advanced piece of editing when the superimposed images of shattered class comes towards the camera and reveals the opening scene. This allows a spontaneous and fluent viewing experience which does not seem to sectioned.
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