Blog post 14: Micro and Macro Analysis

In this blog post I will be analysing three title sequences, looking at the micro and macro elements in each one. The three films I have chosen to do are: 

• The taking of Pelham 1,2,3 
• The Dark Knight Rises 
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The taking of Pelham 1,2,3 

Micro analysis: 

• Camera - The title sequence opens with the camera panning across the city with the tops of buildings visible. This establishes the setting of the film almost instantly since we can recognise some of the iconic buildings. The camera starts to change every few seconds with close ups on faces, overhead shots of pedestrians and wide shots of locations. There are multiple cut ins to buses and other objects in the city, such as trains and lamps. A two shot is used to establish a relationship between two characters and an over the shoulder shot to place us on the shoulders of the actors. 

• Sound - Several non-diegetic background sounds such as the screeching of tires, train and car engines are used. The typical busy city-life sound effects can be heard throughout and the song playing in the background helps to establish whether or not the character being portrayed on screen is an antagonist. The music playing is fast paced and connotes danger. When the protagonist is shown on screen, the music is tense but quiet and more dialogue and dietetic sound can be heard 

• Mise-en-scene - The tops of sky scrapers can be seen on screen as well as a sun setting across the city. Different locations and colourful clothing from pedestrians as well as lots of yellow taxis help to place us in a very clear and recognisable location as well as set a busy atmosphere. The antagonist portrayed towards the start is wearing dark clothing, has shades and dark facial hair which make him look dangerous, mysterious and under the impression that he is under cover and is on the run from someone.  

• Editing - As the credits appear on screen, they align with the things in the background, making them look coordinated and part of the city. When the taking finally appears on screen, it  moves in the nature of a train and helps to establish the overall theme of the film. The moving images are edited with different filters to make the colours on certain objects duller than others in order to make other things stand out. Slow motion and fast motion is used on several different shots and some look blurry to create the effect that everything is constantly in motion. 

Macro analysis:

• The title sequence introduces the location being the city, the antagonists and then the protagonists 
• The main characters are introduced in the city and the underground, as well as in the office along side atmospheric music for both groups.  
• Pedestrians are introduced wearing casual clothing, making them look ordinary as well as office social group with everyone wearing smart casual clothing 

Credits: 

1) Colombia- production company
2) Colombia Pictures and Metro Goldwyn-Mayor pictures - distribution companies
3) Relatively Media
4) Scott Free/Escape Arts - Production
5) Tony Scott - Director
6) Denzel Washington - Starring actor
7) John Travolta - Starring actor
8) Film title- The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3
9) John Turturro - Actor            
10) Luis Guzman - Actor          
11) Michael Rispoli - Actor      
12) James Gendolfini - Actor
13) Frank Wood, John Bejamin Hickey, Gary Basaraba, Ramen Rodriguez - Actors
14) Ghena Akinnagbe, Kathenre Sigismud and Jake Sicillano - Actors/Actress
15) Alex Aluzhsky, Aunjanue Ellis, Tonye Patano, Jason Butler Harner - Actors
16)  Denise Chamlon,CSA - Casting
17) Renee Ehriich  Klafus - Costume Designer
18) Harry Gregson-Williams - Music
19) Linda Farica, Anson Downes - Co-executive producers
20) Chris Lebzon - Editor.
21) Chris Seagers - Production Designer
22) Tobius Schllesser,Asc- Director of Photography.
23) Barry Waldman, Michael Costigan, Frank Kavanaigh - Executive Producers
24) Todd Black, Tony Scott - Producers.

The Dark Knight Rises

Micro analysis:

• Camera - The camera moves very quickly between shots as it moves into close ups of a pavement and newspapers as well as close ups of pictures being burnt and cut up. Almost the entirety of the title sequence are close up shots of objects relevant to a plot in the story line. The camera editing is very fast paced. 

• Sound - The only sound heard throughout the whole sequence is very dramatic music with a hard beat. This sets an expectation for the audience as it is tense and suggests the film itself with also be like this. 

• Mise-en-scene - Logos of all the production companies are the first thing that appears on screen however they are al in black and white to give it a mysterious and cool look because of the nature of the film. Only cool colours like blue, grey and white are used throughout with the red of the flame being an exception. Multiple images of cut up newspapers and cut up pictures suggest a loss of identity and a close up of Christian Bale's face introduce a familiar face. The dark knight logo appears on the pavement and familiarises us once again as it is an iconic logo. A pair of black gloves poses questions to the audience. 

• Editing - The typography used in the title sequence is integrated into the objects, making them look like a part of the background and making them look seamless. There is a negative filter on everything throughout, making the colours look much cooler and making everything look much more dramatic.

Macro analysis:

• No specific characters are introduced, however almost at the very end of the title sequence, a black helmet, who we know is owned by the Dark Knight appears on screen. 
• No specific social groups are represented either, however we do get the sense that there will be some sort of mysterious criminal activity going on a s the photos suggest a stalker. 

Credits: 

1)Warner Bros. Pictures - distribution company 

2)Legendary Pictures - distribution company 

3)DC Comics - production company 

4)Syncopy - production company

5) A film by Christopher Nolan - Director 

6) The Dark Knight rises - Film title 

7) Christian Bale - Main cast

8) Michael Cain- Cast 

9) Gary Olman - Cast

10) Anne Hathaway - Cast

11) Tom Hardy - Cast

12) Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Cast

13) Marion Cotillar- Cast 

14) Morgan Freeman - Cast

15) Based upon Batman characters created by Bob Kane - Creators 

16) Screenplay by Christopher Nolan Jonathon Nolan - Screenplay 

17) Story by Christopher Nolan David S. Goyer  

18) Excecutive Producers

19) Directed by Christopher Nolan - Director 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 

Credits:
1) Focus Features - Production company
2) an Anonymous content production - Production company
3) in association with This is What - Associates
4) Jim Carrey - Main Cast
5) Kate Winslet - Main Cast
6) Kristen Dust - Casy
7) Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind - Film title
8) Mark Ruffalo - Cast
9) Elijah Wood - Cast
10) Tom Wilkinson - Cast
11) Jane Adams - Cast
12) David Cross - Cast
13) Deidre O'Connell and Debbon Ayer - Cast
14) casting by Jeanne Mccarthy, CSA - Casting director
15) Linda Fields Hill, Michael A. Jackman - Associate producers
16) Melissa Toth - Costume designer
17) Jon Brion - Music
18) Valdis Oskarsdottir - Editor
19) Dan Leigh - Production designer
20) Ellen Kuras, ASC - Director of photography
21) David Bushel, Charlie, Kaufman, Glenn Wiliamson, Georges Bermann - Executive producers
22) Steve Golin and Anthony Bregman - Producers
23) Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry &Pierre Bismuth - Creators
24) Charlie Kaufman - Screenplay
25) Michel Gondry - Director