Analysing and Comparing Two Title Sequences

Grease is an iconic musical film directed by Randal Kleiser in 1978 by Paramount Pictures.

  

We can grease is a musical, romcom due to the soundtrack. The soundtrack is upbeat, positive, catchy and features the title of the song. The style of animation and use of character drawings also makes the title sequence look like a high school-based musical. Another way we can tell this is a musical is the use of ‘as’ in the font, ‘John Travolta as Danny’ as an example. Along with the genre the tone  

Time and place are shown through the 1950’s stylised font and clear use of iconic period imagery. We also see images of Elvis Presley, Marolyn Monro, Playboy and Thunderbirds. The title sequence is set in America. The sequence features the different characters doing their morning routine and driving to school. The animation then fades to real life on an establishing shot of the high school, showing its importance.   

Key titles include the director, Randal Kleiser. Lead roles, John Travolta as Danny and Oliva Newton-John as Sandy. The company ‘Paramount Pictures’.  

The narrative focuses on the high school setting and revolves around teenagers. There is a strong suggestion towards romance from the juxtaposition of the male and female characters. The characters are shown in clicks or gangs like the pink ladies or the T-birds.

 We can assume there will be conflict or indifferences because the characters look rebellious as they wear leather jackets and smoke. 

The title sequence introduces us to two characters both shown on their own. At the very beginning the audience are introduced in Danny. His hair and room are a complete mess. He gets up dances to the soundtrack and does his hair. He comes across as a lazy, vein character. We can assume he is the ‘cool’ leader as he is the first character shown and he also creates the Grease logo with his hair gel. 

Sandy on the other hand has a tidy, pristine room. She is blonde and skinny and wears a long blue night dress. This makes her character look wealthy, kind, beautiful and feminine. When she gets up animals dress her as though she is a Disney princess.  

We can assume there will be a love interest between these characters as they are the only characters shown alone and shown straight after each other.  

American Horror Story is a horror tv series created by Ryan Murphy which started by in 2011 by FX. 

We can tell American horror story is a horror due to the disturbing soundtrack. The soundtrack consists of sound effects put together like water dripping to create tension and atmosphere. In this opening sequence we are also shown dark iconic horror imagery of blood, skulls, knifes and creepy baby pictures. The font is in a gothic style which matches the theme of a haunted house.  

The key titles feature key names for the production and funding of the film; Connie Britton, Dylan, Mcdermott, Evan Peter.  

The sequence shows modern and old images to represent the past and the present. The sequence is set in a basement or horror house, we can tell his from the POV shot where they look around their surroundings. We can assume this was set in America because the title of the Tv series is called ‘American horror story.’ 

We get the idea that there is or has been a killer in this house, from the iconic horror imagery. The POV with a flashlight being held shows someone searching for something, uncovering, or discovering what is going on. We are also shown images of a white dress which has the connotation of innocence, female stereotypical and the victim.  

Personally, I liked each of these opening title sequences. I liked how scary and creative the American Horror Story was and how upbeat and fun the Grease title sequence was. Both were successful in engaging me and establishing the genre, tone, characters, and narrative.