Case Study: Documentary & Reality Media

Case Study: Documentary & Reality Media – UK Broadcast Format

It seems very common for this genre to have info graphics within live-action footage or have a title sequence that mixes footage with 2D and 3D logos respectively. This is evident in titles of shows such as Sky 1's Secret Street Crew by MoGrafik, numerous shows produced for Channel 4 including Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Supersize vs. Superskinny, Living with the Amish and more as well as the BBC with the likes of Wanted Down Under.

One could argue this type of title sequence is popular with this genre because it combines the entertainment values with real life elements. There are facts and figures or logos dotted around the live-action environment, rooting the entertainment factor to life occurrences. They serve as a reminder for the viewer of the reality value of the show.

On the other hand, simple logo reveals with either detailed motion graphic design or a plain animation are also often utilised in this genre as well as very basic white text on black background. In the case of plain writing over footage or black background it could be a case of lack of creativity or need for an elaborate title or perhaps budget. It could however be considered a deliberate design choice showing the focus on the story told without embellishments, much like the title sequence itself. One could argue that the more entertainment value the show holds the more extravagant the title sequence becomes. If a story is supposedly presented plain and simple the title sequence assumes such an aesthetic to suggest a factual authority.

Talent Shows

I was following this video copilot tutorial: http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/shatterize/ to create a title with a visual style of talent shows of likes of X Factor or Got to Dance.

Analysis: It seems a bit fast and would need more build up before it explodes into pieces. In order for the title to be closer to a talent show title it would have to include more than just a logo reveal. Many of the titles I have researched in this genre have a lengthy, anticipation building introduction that used to be the standard for title sequences before the popularity rise of the logo reveal. I created a logo reveal to be able to test my skills and understanding of this genre. If I was to create a lengthy title sequence it would take too much time at this experimental stage and I would not be able to explore as many other areas as I find necessary. I feel that I have come close to what is the visual style of a talent show title. The high contrast of light and dark, the spotlights and fireworks or explosions are reoccurring themes for this genre that have been reflected in my interpretation.

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Case Study: Talent Shows – UK Broadcast Format 

 Britain's Got Talent

     
        Got to Dance                        X Factor                     Dancing on Ice

Although encompassing different avenues of performing arts, these three titles share many visual similarities. The high contrast of light and dark, the spotlights and fireworks or explosions are reoccurring themes for this genre. These types of shows thrive on anticipation and build up of suspense, which is reflected in the lengthy title sequences. They tell the story of the artists that are competing for the crown. They set the scene for the competition and what is involved in the journey to the top. In the case of Britain's Got Talent the variety of performing arts are displayed on Britain's landmarks reflecting the type of entertainment that is to be expected and tying it in with the country the show is distributed in. X Factor takes a much more abstract approach with the "X" logo, presumably a symbol for a star falling from the skies, racing through space before colliding with earth. Got to Dance shows a similar concept as Britain's Got Talent. They show numerous varieties of performance in an abstract way. All these titles have a glitter- and sparkle-effect which is so closely entwined with glamour and stage performance. It rouses excitement and proclaims the extravagance about to take place before the audience’s eyes. The frequent appearance of star symbols are a reminder of the goal each artist is hoping for, to become the next star in the skies. X Factor takes a spin on that metaphor in claiming the next star has fallen from the skies and is now about to be picked from the crowd by the judges. This shows a subtle indication that the judges play a dominant part in the show. The entertainment element does not only lie in the performance but also in the interaction of the judges with each other and with the acts. This also happens in Britain's Got Talent but is not discussed in the title sequence at length.
Most of these shows have a very distinguished logo that rarely changes throughout the seasons. This aids recognition and establishes a lasting relationship with its target audience. This applies to the music, which is an integral part in building the excitement before the start of the show.

Case Study: Online Format

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: Episodic Online Media Format

As it turns out online media don't fit into the same genre structure most TV shows do. The shows I have selected for review (BlackBox TV, Phillip DeFranco Show and Control TV) are not directly comparable to the TV shows of the other two formats I have selected. The first show BlackBox TV fits into the supernatural horror/thriller genre but instead of it being a continuous storyline, it is more of a selection of short films of the same theme. This allows me to review the title sequence under the same rules as the horror genre of TV shows from the other formats but it leaves to question whether online can be compared with TV at all. I was struggling to find shows that follow the same rules for story telling and therefore fit in with the same categories for immediate comparison as TV shows. The two other shows I have selected for the online format are a comedy/news show, which I realise now is not at all fitting, and a reality "TV" show. I initially chose the news show because of its motion graphics title sequence, which was the first criteria for selecting title sequences for review. However, after setting the next criteria for selecting title sequences of each major genre (comedy, drama, horror) within each distribution format, I didn't alter the online shows I was going to review. Looking over them now, I realise there isn't much I can alter as the, like I said, the ways of storytelling are not the same. There are a few online shows out there that follow the reality TV genre for example, which could fit within the drama genre - that is probably the reason why I chose Control TV (reality online show) - like Quarterlife, but don't have a compelling motion graphics title sequence. Or there are online shows that have a very interesting title sequence but are i.e. a news show like Phillip DeFranco, which is a genre I haven't touched upon in the other two formats. What I am going to do is write up a review of BlackBox TV anyway, as the horror genre is the one I want to concentrate on, and then summarise the findings of the formats I have gathered from the reviews. The online genre might have produced results under different criteria but it should nevertheless reflect the rules for or the fashion of online media title sequences.

Black Box TV by BlackBox TV

• Genre: horror/thriller
• Not succinct title sequence but to the most part the same
• The one that runs through a few episodes is floating TV behind opening door
• Black and white, moody lighting
• Setting the scene for the horror genre
• Gives a summary of the short film to be watched, similar to book back, cliffhanger
• Short, no theme music but atmospheric audio
• 3D animation
• “Title card” at the end of sequence

The BlackBox TV title sequence is in black and white, reminiscent of a 1960s horror film like Psycho. The camera enters a shabby hotel room without any furniture apart from a floating, old television box near the rear end of the room. The graphics have a smudged visual and stop-motion animation effect, while the camera is moving into the room. The audio together with the short summery of the short film to follow, stimulates a feeling of anxiety. The entire environment, with its empty space, gritty surroundings and tension filled audio fuels the suspense during the title sequence before the horror film/episode starts. Not only the black and white footage but also the abandoned hotel creates an eerie effect, possibly because it creates a link to films like the Shining which takes place in an old hotel or horror films that are situated in old, abandoned public service facilities like asylums. These are the kind of places that naturally evoke a sense of unease and one of them was therefore chosen for this particular title sequence.

The Phillip DeFranco Show (YouTube)

• Genre: comedy news
• Very Short, amusing just like show
• Features a stylised shot of a monkey that turns into a logo, framed by the shows title
• Stylised 2D motion graphics
• Audio explains shows purpose
• established brand
• Audio and visuals instantly recognisable by audience
• Visuals aren’t linked to show content
• Title card at the end of sequence

Control TV by Buddy System Studios

• Genre: Reality TV comedy
• Stop motion/2D motion graphics animation
• Character displayed as puppet, metaphor for story in which he’s being manipulated by audience.
• Joystick in first shot symbolises that audience has the control over protagonist
• Short, featuring logo/title card at the end
• Title card at the end of sequence

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

Case Study: UK Broadcast (Original 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

I was originally going to discuss these three shows but realised that they have all been created for the same network (Channel 4/E4) and have very similar production values applied to them and therefore a very similar visual styles, even though each one is for a different genre/theme. I will stick with the discussion of Misfits, as it fits into my selection of the Supernatural Thriller/Drama Genre I have chosen for my title sequence production. I will replace the remaining two with shows from different networks with a similar theme to those I had picked originally in order to compare and contrast formats and values sufficiently.

A few shows I have already identified include The Fades (BBC 3), The Office (BBC2?), Spy (Sky 1), Outnumbered, Campus. I will view the title sequences for these shows and pick appropriate ones for this review and repost the results.

MISFITS from MOMOCO Film Titles on Vimeo.



Misfits by MOMOCO Film Titles & Maguffin

• 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

FRESH MEAT from MOMOCO Film Titles on Vimeo.



Fresh Meat by MOMOCO Film Titles

• Genre: Comdey
• Motion graphics compositing on live-action footage of location
• Young, edgy, story reflects target audience (students)
• TS reflects story
• Small depth of field, edges and background blurred. Similar to show footage of Misfits
• Shaky camera, trend
• Musical theme tune
• Footage of location reflects messy life of a student and the sometimes “messy”, unlinked storytelling style
• Title card at the end of sequence

Skins by BBC Studios and Post Production

• Genre: Drama with comedy elements
• Gritty, young, daring storytelling reflected in TS
• Live-action footage integrated into motion graphics animation
• Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll attitude and story elements recycled in TS footage
• Colourful, reflecting carelessness, youth
• Musical tune
• Ends on show title
• Use of live-action footage of peer group and individual characters consistent with trend of drama genre

Case Study: US Broadcast

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: US Episodic Broadcast Media Format 

Supernatural by Shooters Post and Transfer

• Genre: mystery thriller/drama
• Motion graphics animation
• Short
• Changing throughout seasons but keeping within brand
• Showing little of storyline
• Creating atmosphere through visuals and audio
• Hint to/reminder of main storyline
• Jitter of title and visual style are consistent with trend of horror genre
• Title card, main graphic of sequence

The Supernatural title sequence is created with the shows mystery/thriller genre in mind. The title emits mystery by not giving away details, instead only showing the mere gist of the current season. Supernatural has retained its style throughout all 7 seasons with the name of the show in the centre of the screen and season related motion graphic animations alongside it. It has never been more than a logo come animated indent. The most recent title starts off with a black splatter that spreads towards the screen in slow motion before it is rapidly sucked into the “Supernatural” lettering. The show title is displayed in black on a white background with the black fluid moulding itself around the lettering before said, jumping back and forth a few times, moves towards the screen in a quick motion. The brevity of the title cleverly conceals the details of the story but revels enough of the main storyline through hints in the visual style. The black substance, referring to the main enemy of the current season, creates a reminder of the golden thread that runs through the entire season despite the story diverting to a separate issue for almost each episode, occasionally loosing sight of said thread. Creating a title sequence solely with motion graphics without the use of live-action footage seems a deliberate choice in order to compose an atmosphere appropriate to the theme. It evokes mystery through emission of detail not only of the story but also about the villain the shows’ heroes have to face for the current season. From the first viewing the audience does not know if this villain is man or monster and that the black substance in fact relates to it. With this, the title orchestrates intrigue that reels the viewer in and acts as a reminder from there on out thus playing into the hands of the genre. Live action footage might spoil this intrigue and not have the same, mysterious effect.

The mystery genre is reflected in the title sequence visually as well as aurally. The sound is reminiscent of a creature that you might encounter in such a world of supernatural beings. The jitter of the lettering towards the end of the title is very typical of the mystery/horror genre as seen in films such as Paranormal Activity and prepares the audience for the kind of experience they are about to encounter. Despite the ever changing visual style of each seasons title, the animation and “Supernatural” type face as well as the audio has remained similar if not the same creating a recognisable brand. Short, animated sequences of this style have become a trend since Lost and are a continued technique used for secret bearing, mystery themed shows as Breaking Bad and Ringer.

Mad Men by Imaginary Forces

• Period drama
• Motion graphics & 2D Animation
• Saul bass 60s style
• TS is story of Don Draper, man losing his footing in the changing ad business and changing times
• Possibly deferrable onto any male character in show – faceless man makes it possible
• Style detached from realism, just like the advertising business
• TS underpins some themes and storylines of show
• Title card at the end of sequence

Big Bang Theory by The Picture Mill

• Comedy drama
• Science orientated, reflected in title sequence
• TS is fast forward of evolution and human invention in still frames
• Some 3D elements at the start
• End on a main cast live action frame, similar to comedy drama shows like friends
• Tying together the genre, through comedic soundtrack and visuals, subject of discussion (science) and relationship/friendship story references through last shot
• Title card at the end of sequence