Title Design Research prison break- O Brother, Where Art Thou?

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 Sourced from Youtube.com

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which ones?

The first title seen shows Universal pictures and touchstone Pictures, followed by Studio Canal. Then, a production company (A working title). Then, what seems to be a hymn or bible verse of sorts, seemingly irrelevant to the movie. Then, it shows footage of the chain gang doing their work, with a few horseback sheriff holding guns. After a while of that, the title card is displayed. Next, it cuts to the three escapees running away before presenting the stars. Soon after, it begins trading off between footage of the men running and introducing other minor actors. After a little over a minute of showing the men and the actors, we begin to see cards for (in order), the supervising sound editor, film editors, music by, costume designer, production designer, director of photography, co-producer, executive producers, produced by, written by, based upon, and directed by. While it shows the behind the scenes folk, it also switches between footage and cards.

2. What connotations do the images carry? (how do you they make you feel)

A lot of the footage in this opening sequence is thrilling. We see the men escaping, running with everything they've got. We see them in scenes such as forests, and trying to find food. Later on, you begin to worry for the characters as you hear dogs in the background as diegetic sound, showing that they are close to being caught. Lastly, we feel relief as they hop a train getting away.

3. How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? (Can you tell what genre the film is)

The genre was made very present due to the fact that the men were able to escape the prison work crew  we see them running away from the chain gang and further through forests and other places, not where they should be.

4. What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

I really liked the low angles of the prisoners, and the eye-level shots of the guards. The height difference made for an interesting power dynamic. Seeing the wide shot/long shot as the men get up and down while running was also very appealing.




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