Title Sequence Coursework - Analysis 4

The Game

We comprehend that the time this is filmed is in the 1950s. We can assume this because the kitchen is designed in a 1950’s style. Also most of the features in the title sequence suggest the setting was 1950s, such as: the costumes, the colours, lighting, etc. We assume the costumes and colours are from the 50s because they are quite old fashioned and dull. Dull shades of white and cream are used to get across the period of time it is set. The effect on the camera also makes us believe that it is set in the 1950s because the qualities of videos at that time were not so good.

Furthermore, only the middle or upper class could afford camera at that time, it was rare for people to have them because they were expensive. The setting of the title sequence is that garden of a big mansion. This suggests, the family that owns the mansion, are rich and have a middle or upper class status. We also see this when the camera has a mid-shot of the father wearing a suit suggesting he has an important job, and the boy is also wearing a suit, showing again that they are a middle or upper class family. In addition, when we are shown the large kitchen filled with staff, we assume that they are middle or upper class because not many people can afford staff to work in The shot of the women arranging the white flowers connotes senses of purity. The flower signifies the purity at that time, as they are home videos. We know that these are home videos because the camera is hand held and the quality of the picture is poor.

As a group of people walk down a long path in the garden, we see their purity and innocence in the title sequence. We see this because they are wearing white and the colour white is normally associated with being pure. This implies that these people are unaware to any troubling elements in the sequence.

The themes that are being expressed through the title sequence are mystery and drama. We assume this because on the mid-shot of the father and son posing for the picture, the father turns and walks into the dark, leaving the son standing by him self. As the father walks into the dark and leaves the son, the low-key lighting makes it look like the father is disappearing from the boy’s life. The shot of the group of children watching the puppet show could suggest mystery. This is because there is always someone, the puppetmaster, control puppets. This could suggest elements of crime and corruption.

When we see the man in the shots, his body language is reserved and distant. We see this when he has his hand on his son, it looks false and it suggests that he is disconnected from his son. We also see this when the shot of the man is walking towards the camera is cut. His angry facial expression shows that he doesn’t want to be seen doing something. The shot adds a layer of nostalgic and the colours look washed out on this shot.

When we see three people, including the father and what seems like the wife, having a conversation, they are shown to be smiling except from the father. The father is looking around and is taking out a cigarette as the other two look in to the camera and smile, showing he is unaware of what is happening and maybe his unawareness will affect others in the rest of the film.