R-edit of Dexter opening sequence

1)  Summarise the conventions of title sequences that were most important to this task.
Within  a title sequence, the title's themselves are very important. They don't just provide the necessary information of the producer, director, and the actors within the film, but its a chance for this to occur while introducing the film. They can be used to compliment the sequence that occurs, by drawing attention to something in particular or emphasising a movement.  They should not take away from what is happening, but simply be an addition to the environment.
The titles themselves should probe into the genre, the font complimenting what kind of film it is. The sizing of the them should be appropriate so the names displayed can be clearly read, but also making sure they aren't too big which would take away from the sequence itself by intercepting certain events by covering up certain things that are happening. Therefore, the title sequence is an opportunity for the genre, characters and themes/ideas should be introduced. It should draw the audience's attention in a way which makes them curious into watching the rest of the film.


2)  How did your group plan to edit the title sequence? (consider timings, industry requirements etc.)
Our group planned to edit the title sequence by considering the space on the screen. For example, we only planned to add titles where there were space for them, as we did not want to cover up anything important that was happening. This also mean that the titles were clear, as it is very important the director, producers and actors names listed in the title sequence can be clearly seen and read.


3)  Explain the creative decisions made by your group.
The creative decision involved in our group mainly involve the composition and movement/ effects of the title. Deciding the appropriate entrance and exit for each title was added, was important in order for co-operation between itself and the opening sequence itself. While on the page we would use effects such as 'frigid' to give a jolt/ flicker effect, which probed into the slightly sinister and haunting connotations that the main sequence itself reflected. We used the colour red as some of the titles colour to symbolise the blood that was displayed in the opening sequence. Considering the exit of the titles, in some cases we would fade out the titles in a way that looked like an object coming into shot was pushing them out. We also used the mosquito swat shot at the beginning of the sequence as an opportunity to place a title, and therefore seem as Dexter as swat away the title as it disappears as he goes to swat the mosquito.  The font also had to be creatively thought about, as it was necessary for it to fit the theme of the opening sequence. We chose a dedicate thin, italic font to contrast with the symbolic violent and fearless mans actions.


4)  How does your re-edit compare to the original?
When we watched the original after completing our own re-edit, the original seem quite simple. As we had been mostly concerned on the creativity of the titles, the original edit seemed more concerned about making sure all the titles could be very clearly seen. This even involved them placing their titles in front on things that were happening in the opening sequence, being fearless to cover anything up that was happening behind them. We, on the other hand, did the exact opposite.
The original version used one colour( red )for the font throughout, whereas we decided to alternate the colour depending on  the different shots each of our titles was within.
The original version had a lot more titles in a smaller space of time. Although we had only enough time to edit approximately 5 titles, even if we had had more time to edit, I don't feel we would have included as many titles as they had. This is because I feel the original edit was a lot less fearless of timing. Rather than them evaluating and being creative with where each title would look good, they seemed to care more about fitting them all in at any opportunity possible.