Title Credits - Mrs Frisendar

What is the purpose of film credits?

Film credits are used to give credit to the principal actors and production team. They are usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the show. There may or may not be accompanying music.
           By using different fonts and editing techniques, opening credits can set the genre and tone of the film. Opening credits should meet the codes and conventions of the specific genre.

Common opening credits order:

NAME OF THE STUDIO

(Walt Disney Pictures, Columbia, Lions Gate, Universal, Miramax etc)

NAME OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY

(usually credited as "in association with" or "A (studio name) production.")

(PRODUCER NAME) PRODUCTION or/and (director only) A FILM BY (DIRECTOR NAME)

(director's first credit, often "a XY film")

STARRING

(principal actors)

FILM'S TITLE

(name of the film)

FEATURING

(featured actors)

CASTING  or CASTING BY

Casting director.

MUSIC COMPOSED BY

Composer of music.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Production designer.

- Set Design
- Costumes
- Hairdresser
- Make-up Artist
- Sound Recording
- Visual Effects Director
- EDITOR or EDITED BY

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Director of photography.

PRODUCER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Producer, co-producers, executive producers (the name of the producer will often be the next-to-last opening credit).

BASED ON THE BOOK (PLAY, GRAPHIC NOVEL)

If based on a book or other literary work.

BASED ON THE CHARACTERS BY

If based on characters from a book or other media.

STORY BY

Person who wrote the story on which the script is based on.

WRITER(S)

"Screenplay by X & Y and Z and W".

DIRECTOR

A film should only list one director.

"Se7en" Opening Credits:

 

The colours used in his opening sequence are very dark and the lighting is very low-key. This use of colour and lighting is conventional to a thriller as it creates shadows which adds intensity and mystery to the scene. The audience would expect dark colours from a thriller opening as it foreshadows a dark story. The opening sequence also promotes an unseen antagonist which meets the conventions of a thriller film. By keeping the antagonist unidentifiable, it intrigues the audience and makes them want to continue watching in order to witness the villain being revealed. Extreme close-ups are used in the opening credits when displaying the villain, however there are no close-ups of their face. This again makes the audience eager to find out who the villain is. 

The music used in this sequence has a constant rhythm but increase in texture and volume. Sharp, atonal guitar riffs are also used to portray screaming. This style of music is conventional to a thriller film as it increases the audience's anxiety and makes them fear that something is going to happen. Very sharp iconography is also used such as scissors and needles. This type of iconography is conventional to a thriller and proves to the audience that the film is going to be about torture and violence. The font is very gothic and makes the titles look like they have been carved with a knife. This again could foreshadow the rest of the plot being about torture and violence.

I think this opening is very effective and meets the codes and conventions of a thriller film. In my opinion, the reason this opening is so effective is because it doesn't contain massive amounts of gore, action or dialogue. The reason it's so successful is because it has a huge psychological impact because of the sound, quick editing and lack of identity. All these factors build the audience's anxiety and create suspense which is the main purpose of a thriller film.