Shona Traynor

Xavier Vale

*Conventions in Romantic-Comedy Title Sequences

*Narrative

*In most title sequences, there will be a short narrative.

*For example, in the film The Ugly Truth, the title sequence displays Katherine Heigl’s character going through her day to day work routine.

*In Love Actually, the opening scenes shows us snapshots of different people’s lives at Heathrow Airport– this is reflected in the numerous storylines through the film. It also explores the different forms of love.

*Narrative

*The title sequences can also give the audience some context or exposition into the protagonists of the film.

*For example, in The Notebook, a character is kayaking along a river, and the camera then cuts to an old woman looking out over the river, reminiscing about her life.

*27 Dresses20th Century Fox/Spyglass

*Music

*A melodic orchestral score

*Lighting

*High key, lively lighting

*Narrative

*An Urban setting, everyday girl

*Based around weddings, it shows the heroine being subjected to all her friends requests

*The male character is shown, but no real interest shown, just there to provide an introduction to the story.

*The Devil Wears Prada

2oth Century Fox

*Music

*K.T Tunstall – Suddenly I See, catchy, upbeat, lively music

*No dialogue, only music, at the end music fade out – then dialogue.

*Lighting

*High-key lighting

*Setting/Narrative

* Iconography – red and white – devil and angle.

*First day of new job – getting changed/make-up, clothes.

*Trying to look the part

*The Ugly TruthColumbia

*Music

*Soundtrack – lively, upbeat music

*Lighting

*High Key Lighting

*Setting/Narrative

*Suburban setting, working woman, solves everyone’s problems, DIALOGUE over the soundtrack

*Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Paramount

*Music/Dialogue

*Orchestral Melodic music – FAMOUS!!!!!

*No dialogue

*Text

*Full credits at the beginning –

actor’s names, director etc. etc. etc.

*Classy titles/font

*Sex and the CityParamount

*Music

*No soundtrack, VOICEOVER to give audience aural introduction to storyline.

*Description of love, friends and life.

*Dialogue breaks up opening sequence

*Lighting

*High-key lighting

*Iconography

*PINK titles, PINK clothes

*Revolves around LOVE

*Legally BlondeMGM

*Music

*Soundtrack

*Iconography

*PINK titles

*PINK clothes/Girl activities

*Text

*Only shows principle roles, hearts on ‘i’

*Narrative

* Introduction through room, painting nails, lowing legs, brushing hair etc.

*Michael Hauge’s Screen Mastery

*The hero must be involved in some sexual or romantic pursuit.

* The hero must pursue some additional visible desire.

*The characters in a rom-com NEVER find their situation amusing.

*Rom-Com’s have happy endings.

*They always invlove some form of deception.

*Michael Hauge’s Screen Mastery

*Some insurmountable problem must seperate the two lovers.

*The hero must be introduced before the romantic rival.

*Give the audience some superior position.

THE FOLLOWING

PAGE IS A LIST OF ASPECTS

WE WILL TAKE FURTHER IN

OUR PRODUCTION

*Summary

*Music

*Either soundtrack, famous, catchy songs

*Orchestral, instrumental backing

*Lighting

*HIGH-KEY LIGHTING

*Setting

*Urban Setting – someone that the audience can relate to.

*Narrative

*EQUILIBRIUM -> DISEQUILIBRIUM -> NEW EQUILIBRIUM

*Most narrate the everyday lives of the main characters, give background to the main plotline.

*Conventional happy ending

*Some form of deception will be involved.