'American Horror Story: Freak Show'- analysis of opening title sequence

'American Horror Story: Freak Show'- analysis 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' opening title sequence Kyle Cooper was one of the creative directors for the series' title sequence. All AHS opening title sequence effectively create an unsettling mood and introduces the thriller/horror genre of the series. The freak show sequence was made with stop-motion and GCI. The clear theme shown is carnival/circus by the use of iconic circus soundtrack, colour scheme (red and white), carnival amusements, etc. The imagery becomes disturbing as the characters are twisted. These are the cast of the series being introduced such as Twisty The Clown and Legless Suzi.

'Se7en'- analysis of opening title sequence

'Se7en'- analysis 'Se7en' opening title sequence Se7en is an American crime thriller about two detectives who attempt to catch a serial killer. The opening sequence effectively sets the tone and mood as well as introduces the genre of film. This is conveyed mostly through the use of disturbing imagery and soundtrack. The actions throughout the sequence inform the audience a detailed, careful set up is being made by the killer whose identity remains unknown. The soundtrack is mixture of unknown, electronic like, high and low pitched sounds. The actions of taking down notes, cutting up images, removing fingerprints with blades, etc are all filmed in closeup and extreme closeup shots to emphasize the importance of the moment. The shots vary in shot duration to create a glitching sort of effect- a long shot followed by one or two shots of short duration. This along with the music equally builds up tension and creates an unsettling atmosphere.

Meeting with production group #4 + Development #4

Our teacher explained the tasks we will be given throughout the week and the deadline to set on a final idea for the opening sequence. By Friday we must have set on the idea, do a bullet point list of the scene shot by shot and create a rough storyboard sketch. I suggested a new opening sequence idea I've thought of based on the feedback given to us. The teacher and most importantly the group was pleased with this idea and decided to go for it. To complete all of this by Friday, the group decided to meet on Thursday to discuss more about the sequence and perhaps to give suggestions.

Kyle Cooper- Research Task

Kyle Cooper- Research Task Kyle Cooper is a successful graphic designer known for his many opening title sequences for major motion picture movies. Background Achieved an MFA in graphic design from Yale School of Arts Achieved a BFA from university of Massachusetts Joined an advertising company in LA as a creative designer He gained recognition for his work 'Se7en' (1995) Kyle Cooper Demo Reel/Telefon Tel Aviv Facts: Cooper's greatest influence is Stephen Frankfurt's opening title sequence of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Cooper is said to be one of the most influential creators since Saul Bass Awards 5 Emmy Awards Win on 81st Academy Awards Examples of opening title sequences directed by Kyle Cooper: Home alone (1990) Home alone 2 (1992) Seven (1995) Mission: Impossible (1996) Men in Black (1997) The Mask of Zorro (1998) The Avengers (1998) The Mummy (1999) The Mummy Returns (2001) Spider-Man (2002) Spider-Man 2 (2004) Superman Returns (2006) Spider-Man 3 (2007) Iron Man (2008) The Incredible Hulk (2008) Orphan (2009) Sherlock Holmes (2009) A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) American Horror Story (2011)

Thursday's lesson- Rule of thirds, Camera height, Depth of field + Task

Rule of thirds Rule of thirds is the process of diving the screen in three horizontally and vertically. Where the line sits is important- the point of interest By placing the subject's head on the first line it makes the shot look better. By positioning the subject's head in the left or right corner line it makes the shot balanced and better because the line crosses each other= point of interest shot has road vanishing off into the distance adjusted end of road near top left corner- makes a more dynamic shot Changing the camera height to match the subject looking at table below tilt camera down- naturally not very exciting shot go down at the same height as the subject more visually appealing Depth of field must chose/create an interesting background create distance between the subject and background Task: film shots using these techniques using rule of thirds, adding depth to shot and change camera height

Development #3- opening title sequence idea- 'Peeping Tom'

After I've watched Netflix's 'Voyeur' documentary, there was a specific scene which gave me a new idea for the opening title sequence. There was a scene where they showed a small model version of the motel. link to photo link to photo1 The opening title sequence would start with multiple closeup and extreme closeup shots and pan camera movements across a mini doll house. A small, realistic model. Then a man's hand would go through the ceiling and place mini objects such as vases, furniture, etc. Finally the camera would zoom out and reveal the man's face as he is placing the ceiling on the doll house. We would then hear the sound of a car pulling in. An over the shoulder shot of the man is used as he peaks out the window. It then cross cuts to a family of four, the husband, wife, older brother and younger daughter walking in the house in front. A closeup shot-POV like goes to the woman to show where his focus is. A zoom out reveals the house is identical to the model he has- revealing the man's true intentions.

Meeting with the production group #2

In this meeting Matt joined us to listen on our ideas and give feedback/advice we could use to develop our ideas. Each member pitched their ideas and Matt gave short comments and movie suggestions as we discussed. After further discussion we came to a conclusion that we would continue to develop mine and Lily's opening title sequences and excluded Jake's idea as it is the most complex one. We decided we wanted to follow Lily's idea since it seems like it's the most fun to do however since she didn't fully know what her opening sequence exactly was, my idea was kept as a possible choice since it was the most achievable one.

Meeting with the production group #3 + Development #2

This group meeting we discussed Lily's ideas for the opening title sequence and the developments she made. She pitched in many good ideas such as drowning bathtub scene, dinner scene, etc. However the teacher did bring to our attention that these scenes are complex to make. There are many issues to this such as needing multiple sets of dry clothing to film different shots of the same scene. This also applies to the dinner scene. I also made some further developments and after discussing it with the group, the feedback given was equally productive. My idea of filming a small model house is too complex. It also requires a lot of work to make the model look professional. The same applied to the other idea of mine as it gives too much away. Despite these developments the teacher still thought we needed to do more research. I was given two movie to watch: 'Disturbia' and 'Lake View Terrace'. Disturbia (2007) 'Disturbia' is a thriller about a teen who is under house arrest and begins to spy on people until he discovers one of his neighbours is a serial killer. Disturbia (2007) Trailer Disturbia (4/9) Movie CLIP - Caught in the Act (2007) Lake view terrace (2008) ´Lakeview Terrace' is a thriller film about a married couple who move to a neighborhood where a LAPD police officer terrorizes them because they're an interracial couple. Trailer of "Lakeview Terrace" Lakeview Terrace (2008) Scene: "Did you listen to your wife?!"

Meeting with production group #1

My production group The production groups were decided by our media teacher Adam. He did this by placing us with who we personally felt comfortable working with. I was placed with my colleagues Jake and Lily. *I apologize in advance to Adam for this screenshot* We had our first group meeting on Friday where we each shared our ideas and gave feedback. We were also informed about the following weeks and the work that will take place. After the meeting, I created a group on Snapchat. We discussed more about the upcoming meeting and the backup ideas however we haven't quite decided yet which idea we will be sharing as our strongest. We also decided to organize a weekly meeting after school.

Feedback on my idea

Feedback on my idea link to video

Developing ideas task

Present four workable ideas for coursework project. 1) Peeping Tom- thriller (FAVORITE IDEA) My first idea was based on the Netflix documentary "Voyeur". The documentary tells the story of the journalist Gay Talese, working on a report about Gerald Foos, the owner of a motel in Colorado, who secretly observed his guests for his own pleasure. https://youtu.be/kTAYqsT05Dc "They couldn't hear me, they couldn't see me, it was exactly what I wanted." Voyeur- "a person who gains sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity." - "a person who enjoys seeing the pain or distress of others." I decided to base my idea off this voyeuristic disorder. 'Peeping Tom' is another nickname for a male voyeur therefore I chose that for my opening sequence's title. The plot of the film is about a couple who moves into an isolated community. Their neighbour is a disturbed man who has this disorder and preys on the newly weda couple and watches them (outside their house, with cameras, little holes drilled in the walls, etc.) The opening title sequence shows the man's setting up the cameras in the couple's house and ends with us watching them arriving through a surveillance camera. The title sequence is influenced by the sequence "Se7en" (1995) by David Fincher. I want it to equally introduce an unsettling, tense atmosphere. The soundtrack choices: either an eerie music that complements the ongoing action or a cheerful music to bring contrast 2) The Catfish- thriller The plot of the film is about a young girl who downloads a dating app and meets a boy online. She meets him online and it turns out to be an old man that kidnaps her. The opening title sequence shows the girl entering the dating site and texting the boy. At the end of the sequence the girl waits to meet up the boy. A young man walks by, tricking the girl as she thinks it's him. Behind the boy, an old man stands, staring at the girl. 3) Dinner guests- thriller/drama My third idea was based on the Netflix series "Re:mind". This psychological thriller tells the story of a group of friends who find themselves around a dinner table tied up as a form of punishment for their past mistakes. The plot of the film is about a group of students who are kidnapped and taken to an unknown location- an escape room. The opening title sequence shows a slow tracking shot of the setting/surrounding and then on the group of teens with a cloth on their heads. The sequence ends with an unknown figure removes the cloth of one of the teens' head, revealing their face. My objective with this sequence is to create a mysterious atmosphere. 4) ? school shooting blind girl final scene- shooter approaches her waves in front of her scene of girl https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43069670