Case Study: UK Broadcast (Adapted Choices)

I am going to review and discuss title sequences from three distribution formats I have identified. These formats are episodic online media, episodic broadcast media UK and episodic broadcast media US. I will be analysing the production values and visual styles of these title sequences.

This review concerns the discussion of: UK Episodic Broadcast Media Format

MISFITS from MOMOCO Film Titles on Vimeo.

• Genre: Supernatural mystery/drama
• Motion graphics & 2D Animation
• Similar style to mad men, rough, scratched paper style but more gritty
• The only live-action are characters composited into 2D set
• Recap of storyline, how characters got there and what their powers are
• Catchy theme tune
• Lots of secrets, reflected in TS
• Hints to what is going on but not clearly displayed
• Shaky camera and slight moving in and out, trend (skins, fresh meat)
• Suggests young and edgy style, “real”
• Title card in the middle of sequence

The Misfits title sequence starts off with the very foundation of the story. It depicts the storm in which all protagonists received superpowers. It proceeds to reiterate the subsequent occurrences in a brief summary, hinting at the characters’ powers but not reveling them completely as this is the main subject of interest in the first season. The grey colour scheme and rough appearance of the animation is reflective of the scenery and prepares the audience for the dull, repressive environment the characters live in. The up-beat soundtrack acts as a contrast and communicates a young, vibrant atmosphere that promises excitement. The introduction of live-action shots of the characters suggest they play a vital part to the story. This reveals a dramatic element of the show which is mostly seen in the drama genre and as such elevates the story to be more than just supernatural and thrilling but also emotional with a focus on relations between the characters.
The motion graphics animation helps to conceal the many secrets that are about to be uncovered throughout the show. If live-action footage had been used for this title sequence it would have most likely been scenes from the show itself and as such exposed parts of storyline to the audience they should not at that point have seen.
The title card appears in the middle of the sequence, which is unusual as most title sequences display the name of the show at the end of the sequence. The reason for this might be that although the characters are misfits to the world around them, serving the community for their previous unlawful activities, that is not what the show revolves around. The main focus is on the superpowers they have gained and what implications they carry. In this context they in fact “fit” in with most of the supporting characters of their world.
The length of the sequence is similarly unusual for the mystery genre. Even though the sequence is not sharing all information with the audience it is telling a large amount of the story, or rather recapturing the highlights of the story. Simultaneously the sequence is giving hints of the story in such a way that the imagery becomes a mystery itself. By symbolising the characters’ powers in such abstract graphics they pose as riddles rather than clues.
The slightly shaky camera and colour flashes are representation of the production value of the show, the rough storyline as well as overall visual style. It is also a very common trend of a young and edgy show for this kind of target audience and genre as seen in shows of the same demographic like Skins or within the same genre like Supernatural.

Spy - created for Sky One from Liquid on Vimeo.

• Spy - created for Sky One from Liquid TV
• Comedy
• Motion Graphics only
• Saul Bass Homage
• reflective of story - spy elements and gadgets interwoven with credits
• funny, reflecting genre
• captures main characters and their personalities
• Title Card at the end of sequence

Merlin by [unspecified]

• fantasy drama
• season 4
• motion graphics and live-action
• motion graphics serves the purpose of conveying the magic in the show
• colour scheme is of old parchment or gold, reminiscent of the middle ages
• mystical creatures, scenes of battles and main characters and other elements of a fantasy world reflect the story, genre and time
• evokes excitement, through sparks, explosions and action scenes
• it shows how tough and dangerous but also how exciting the story is
• ever changing live-action footage keeps the show up to date with the change of actors and story line, typical for a drama show
• dramatic ending with the title typeface in flames
• title card at the end of the sequence