COMPARING TITLES

GREASE- TITLE SEQUENCE 

Genre- greases opening title depicts the films up-beat, comedic genre through the use of editing, sound, color, mise-en-scene, all of which establish the genre. The editing, for example, create the comedic  atmosphere through the fast paced duration of each clips and transitions, along with the non-diegetic, high energy sound track help convey the light heated, comedic tone of the plot. Another factor which contributes to establishing the genre is through the animated, charactiture characters and their 'behavior' which develop the comedy within the film

The key titles that show up in this opening follow the traditional title sequence, including the films title, the main characters, director of photography, music, director etc: 

The tone is similarly set through the openings use of sound, editing, color and mise-en-scene to depict the high energy, and light-hearted tone of the film; for example the colors featured are all vibrant which connect with the tone being established. Furthermore, the openings use of titles, specifically the fonts and sound track to go alongside, set to establish the musical element of the film; for instance as the opening title states the film's name, 'Grease', which works alongside the non-diegetic sound track that reveals the name within the lyrics to hint at a predictable musical element of the plot. The tone is also established through the placement and duration within introducing characters, for instance when 'Danny' and 'sandy' are introduced, there is a subtle hint towards a romantic element between them as they are introduced individually, one after the other which establishes a predictable relationship and because of the gender differences this notion is further imposed upon the audience. 

The location and time period was clearly imposed through the animated sequences and themes onto which state the 60's relevancy to the film. During the opening, the sequence shows clips of key moments that depict the films time period; 

Key characters are introduced through this opening title sequence, giving small insights into their age. We are first introduced to the supposed main characters of 'Danny' and 'Sandy', using editing to suggest a prospect of their relationship through the individual portrayal of the characters. 'Danny' is presented as a typical teenager, showing his messy room, suggesting a laid back personality. this is juxtaposed with the second character introduced, 'Sandy', as she is presented as feminine, loving and a fairy tale tone with the animated animals, presenting the two characters as binary opposites.  We also grasp a prediction of the characters ages through the setting of a school and the two 'gangs' of a girl group and a by group which also emulates the notion of teenage friendship.

American Horror Story: Murder House- Title Sequence 

American Horror story's genre is established through the opening sequence, depicting the unsettling nature of the show through the use of sound, editing, camera and mise-en-scene to enhance the supernatural and uncomfortable tone being set. Firstly, the use of the non-dietetic intrusive and alarming sound track playing throughout sets to emphasis the horror genre of the show which is further emulated by the Gothic, supernatural imagery being shown throughout. The underlying pleonastic sounds within the soundtrack depict the violent imagery of dripping and chainsaws further immerse the horror genre. The fast paced transitions between clips creates a disorientating atmosphere, suspending the audiences predictions upon the violent tone of the shows narrative. the use of the conceptual, unsettling sound within this openig with the dramatic use of editing works to further engage the abstract and 'confused' element of the foreshadowment of the plot and its overall tone and Gothic horror genre; for example, the fast pace of the transitions from what it seems like one genre, depicting extreme Victorian archetypes of dolls and the eras clothing mixed within extreme horror imagery, for example skulls, blood, fire. to then what it seems like a 'supernatural' adventure through the use of the low, 'flashlight' lighting covering the exploration of a house and thus prompting even more at a supernatural and even haunted tone. 

Another key method used to establish the overall tone, time and location is through the use of font; the gothic and Victorian like font displaying the cast further depict the Gothic style of the narrative and more so hints towards the era at which this could take place. 

The use of the rigid transitions between both of these fonts and the stylized choices of the 'ruin' of the image through a burnt photograph suggestion, further emulates the dark and dangerous tone of this opening.

Furthermore, the location is also suggested through the text within this opening:

Clearly suggesting the location is in America 

The overall narrative is also explored through these various concepets; for example, the use of the abstact editing techniques switchign from one era to another, hints towards an eposodic atmosphere of varying contexts and plot lines. This also coinsides with the overall genre through altering audieneces attention constantly and thus causing disconfort and confusion towards the narrative. 

The paranormal activity within the iconic horror imagery explored within, hints directly at the overall narrative of this exploration through time with this haunted style. for example, this opening consists of constant snippets of dark imagery

This continuity of disturbing images bombards the audiences awareness of the narratives obscure and dark themes and through the POv of the exploration of these images through the 'flashlight' lighting and camera tracking, we begin to predict the narratives 'exploration' and 'discovery' aspect which further relates to a mystery unfolding. Another telling element from the transitional aspect of this opening is the foreshadowed episodic quality that it holds through the differentiation of the images and the transition between the two story lines. 

This causes the prediction of the narrative containing multiple elements, characters and perhaps even plot lines; the extended lack of individualistic character presentation within the array of images constructs the prediction of a non-linear plot line being explored with no specific character being introduced. 

COMPARISON 

overall, these two openings differ in both style, genre and narrative with 'greese's opening foretelling a light-hearted and comedic tone with clear representations of individual characters displaying clear plot lines within the gender stereotypes as opposed to 'american horror stories' opening sequence displaying  much more dark and violent imagery and lacking a clear narrative due to the multiple, differenting images being presented through two seemingly different eras.