The Four Types of OTS
Linear Sequence
Linear sequencing is a type of opening title sequence that has a clear storyline. It's usual layout includes a beginning, a middle and an end. It usually includes titles, but sometimes the titles are removed to create tension. It allows the audience to believe they are not actually watching a movie, therefore it becomes more realistic and more terrifying. Linear sequencing uses a type of editing called continuity editing. This smoothes over the discontinuity of the editing and establishes a logical coherence between each of the the shots.
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Linear sequencing is a type of opening title sequence that has a clear storyline. It's usual layout includes a beginning, a middle and an end. It usually includes titles, but sometimes the titles are removed to create tension. It allows the audience to believe they are not actually watching a movie, therefore it becomes more realistic and more terrifying. Linear sequencing uses a type of editing called continuity editing. This smoothes over the discontinuity of the editing and establishes a logical coherence between each of the the shots.
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A good example of linear sequencing can be found in the opening of 'The Conjuring' (2013). It involves a doll, possessed by the spirit of a child, living with some teenagers. The idea behind a moving doll, that is possessed and can kill you is honestly one of my worst nightmares! I know I am not alone when I say that! The sequence takes this fear of dolls, which has been used in many horror movies before, but develops it into the idea of possession and evil spirits. A normal children's toy has become dark and menacing... This makes you question wether your dolls were ever possessed! The use of camera angles in this scene is very effective. They use close ups and extreme close ups of the doll to create tension and fear. This makes you question wether it will get up and move. The eerie long shot of the doll in the hallway is a very good example of the camera angles we would like to use in our opening sequence.
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Nightmare Sequence
A nightmare sequence in horror is similar to that of a dream sequence. Unlike linear sequences, nightmare sequences have little or no storyline and the clips are not in any sort of order. This style of editing is called 'nightmare' as it makes the audience believe they are dreaming. The use of fast cut editing between each shot is very important as it creates the illusion of the dream itself. The clips within the sequence are each very different therefore you are unable to make a connection between them, reinforcing the idea that it isn't real. Also the clips within the sequence could be distorted or repeated to create fear and tension within the sequence as you are unaware as to what will happen next...
(EP)
A nightmare sequence in horror is similar to that of a dream sequence. Unlike linear sequences, nightmare sequences have little or no storyline and the clips are not in any sort of order. This style of editing is called 'nightmare' as it makes the audience believe they are dreaming. The use of fast cut editing between each shot is very important as it creates the illusion of the dream itself. The clips within the sequence are each very different therefore you are unable to make a connection between them, reinforcing the idea that it isn't real. Also the clips within the sequence could be distorted or repeated to create fear and tension within the sequence as you are unaware as to what will happen next...
(EP)
An example of this is 'Shrooms' (2007) which is about the use of drugs and what they can do to your mind. In the opening title sequence there are no titles so as not to draw away from the sequence. The scene uses fast cut editing to change from shot to shot in a frantic, panicking style. The sequence uses a range of shots such as close up, extreme close up and long shots. however it also uses different angles to add to the supposed confusion of the nightmare itself. The film is based on the drug 'magic mushrooms' and the problems they can cause to someones mental state. This is an amazing idea for a film as it discuses the consequences of drug abuse. The use of fast cut editing is something we will use in our final opening title sequence.
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Non-linear Sequence
A non-linear sequence is a sequence of short clips that are not in chronological order. It usually follows a storyline or at least has a plot. The difference between non-linear and linear sequencing is that non-linear is made up of clips that can be altered and arranged in any order. This can create a sense of fear and panic as well as confusion.
(EP)
A non-linear sequence is a sequence of short clips that are not in chronological order. It usually follows a storyline or at least has a plot. The difference between non-linear and linear sequencing is that non-linear is made up of clips that can be altered and arranged in any order. This can create a sense of fear and panic as well as confusion.
(EP)
An example of non-linear sequencing is 'Saw 2'(2005). It uses fast cut editing between the ticking clock and the man to build the tension of the sequence. There is also shots of the X-ray that are repeated throughout. This distorted way of telling a story, I believe, builds more tension than that of linear sequencing. The non-linear editing also causes confusion, drawing people into the film more, and allowing them to believe in it. This is very effective as it tells a story in a more stylised way, resulting in an inevitable death.
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Creative Title Sequence
This type of opening title sequence is the opposite to linear or non-linear as it focuses specifically on the titles of the film. It takes a creative edge on the titles. It adds moving images and fast cut editing to make it interesting, but not draw attention away from the titles themselves. The images and shots within the sequence usually relates to an important part of the film, or idea behind the film. for example, 'Insidious' (2010) uses images connecting to the house that is supposedly haunted. This gives an insight into what the film could entail without distracting the audience from the importance of the titles.
(EP)
This type of opening title sequence is the opposite to linear or non-linear as it focuses specifically on the titles of the film. It takes a creative edge on the titles. It adds moving images and fast cut editing to make it interesting, but not draw attention away from the titles themselves. The images and shots within the sequence usually relates to an important part of the film, or idea behind the film. for example, 'Insidious' (2010) uses images connecting to the house that is supposedly haunted. This gives an insight into what the film could entail without distracting the audience from the importance of the titles.
(EP)
A perfect example of creative title sequencing is shown in the remake of 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' (2010). The sequence uses iconic images related to children such as hopscotch, a rocking horse and building blocks. This imagery is used to relate to the icon of the film (Freddie Krueger) as he used to be the caretaker at a school. Also the childlike imagery represents innocence, which is a key theme in most horror. The extract brings out the titles by repeating them after the appear as if they are scratched into wood. This makes the titles the main focus of the sequence which is why this is such a good example of creative title sequencing.
(EP)
(EP)
Overall we have decided to do a non-linear sequence for our final production. We have chosen this because we feel it is the most interesting and challenging of all the opening title sequences. We also like the idea of telling a story, but prefer a more artistic edge to it, making it stylised. Our sequence is going to be mainly water based so we will use iconic water images woven into the linear story, making it disjointed and not in chronological order. We will also use fast cut editing to build tension and explore the idea of drowning within our piece.
(EP)
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