Introduction
As part of the research for the A1 fantasy assignment, we researched title sequences as a class in our Theory and Industry lesson. The tv show intro sequence that we analysed as a class in this lesson was the intro to Shadow and Bone.
Shadow and Bone
1st watch
Camera Work:
- eastablishing shot of a boat opens the show. tells the viewer of the kind of time period the show is set in based on technology (wooden boat).
- dolly zoom – zooms in on the boat’s sail with an insignia of a mythical creature on it. low angle shot of Alina (the main character) puts her in a position of power over the audience, and obscures the thing she is drawing on the paper which adds a question in the viewers mind.
- pov shot of alina drawing a map. shows that she is a cartographer, and answers the basic question that the last shot set up in the reader’s mind. it sets the audience in alia’s shoes.
- mid shots show the other characters in the scene. set in some kind of carriage.
- long shot of the room as part of the flashback – shows Alina and the old woman and the distance between them. it can show that their relationship is more reserved and formal and distant.
- tracking shot of alina as she first sees the fold. the audience is only recieving as much information as the main character which allows them to empathise with her story.
Sound:
- dramatic monologue voiceover.
- low bass notes make up the soundtrack (orchestral and mainly string instruments).
- ambient sounds are over exaggerated and loud. this is to create an atmosphere and drama, since these sounds are almost unnoticable in real life. diegetic.
Editing:
- the title sequence transistions to the main episode through a magic portal-like effect.
- the shots are simply cut together.
- match cut from the present day of Alina holding her map, matches with a flashback to her childhood.
2nd watch
Mise en scene:
- costumes – the group of cartographers look like they are wearing military uniforms, with symbols that look as if they represent a faction. it looks as though they are going into war. the costume of the elderly woman is rather formal – more similar to work clothes rather than the clothes of a mother figure.
- locations – the flashback is set in an orphanage, which shows the viewers information about Alina’s past. the room is quite bare – it is supposed to be for children but there arent any children’s items around. candles show that there is no electricity, or that it is hard to come by. it sets the production in a time period.
Lighting:
- high key and simple, mainly just used to keep faces lit. low key lighting breaks in with connotations of darkness and fear.
Conclusion
Over all, analysing an intro sequence as a class helped me to understand the key elements i needed to look out for while writing my intro sequence analysis of What We Do in the Shadows.
The link for that blog post is here.
I think that this blog post shows evidence of my research into title sequences.