Television Drama: Title Sequences

During my research I will be using a number of media fact files which offer great information on a range of media concepts.

www.curriculum-press.co.uk

TV Title Sequences

• The length of the title sequence can vary between programmes and there are also many different approaches to the construction of titles – often having a practical function
• Many fictional texts use their title sequence to give detail about the names of the actors, the writer(s) and the director – this information can be provided in many different ways, for example having the text across the bottom of the screen – information on cast and crew can also be provided to the audience.

Film example: Casino Royale (click here)

Programme example: Coronation Street (click here) 

• The text can sometimes continue into the programme depending on the length of the title sequence.

Programme example: Emmerdale (click here)

The sequences which apply this information are crucial parts of the programme as they provide a ‘brand identity’ for the programme, convey narrative information and act to help attract the audience (drawing them into the programme)

Title Sequences: US vs UK Institutions

• Many US fictions do not begin with the titles but with some sort of previous storyline that is continuing within this series – either a ‘previously on…’ summary of the programme, this usually ends with a cliff-hanger. This is because producers need to engage their audiences to stop them changing channels during the first advertising break.

For example: (a British programme) Waterloo Road 

• The BBC does not need to consider advertising breaks at all so some title sequences are little more than theme music
• As digital channels increase and competition for viewers become more intense, some modern UK programmes have decided to use some conventions from US television and are producing more sophisticated title sequences that are graphically interesting and engaging

• Shorter title sequences are better for commercial broadcasts as audiences can get straight to the action and are less likely to look elsewhere for entertainment

  Character information from title sequences

Title sequences are watched repeatedly depending on how frequently they watch the programme therefore it becomes an important way to identify the show and set the tone, for example a mysterious tone to the music represents that the programme may be a crime drama.

• Music is a crucial part of this, for example Friends theme tune became a hit single.

Case study: Dexter (2006) title sequence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSjvLWHgaPI

• Uses a montage of images
• Longer than conventional titles
• The editing between the images is somewhat slow – adds tension and excitement
• The music is unusual however this makes it more recognisable and more associative to the programme
• Tone of the music is ironic which links to the images shown in the title
• In an extreme close-up there is a mosquito feeding on a man’s arm and then the man killing the mosquito which may represent fight for survival
• The name then follows in red ‘blood’ splattered – the title uses a limited palette as it only uses red, white and black – may be symbolic to the programme: red = blood, white = innocent and black = dark side to an individual
• Range of shots: extreme close-up, unfamiliar angles – makes everyday tasks look unusual and suspicious
• Effective sound effects: rasp of the razor as the character shaves = evil?
• The colour red is used repeatedly throughout the title sequence: blood from shaving, blood is referred to as ketchup as it splatters and smears over the plate
• Use of a point of view shot: his face is the key image which represents he is a dominating male