Reasearch Into Titles of Thriller Films - The Usual Suspects

Reasearch Into Titles of Thriller Films - The Usual Suspects

I am going to analysis the titles of 3 different thriller films. I am doing this to find out how to create an effective title that will get the audience intrigued so that they watch the film that we are creating. This research will help me create the title and opening credits of the sequence. In this post I will be taking a look at the title of The Usual Suspects.

 Name of The Film Title

 The title of the film is The Usual Suspects. This suggest to the audience that this film is going to be about a police investigation. Also, it could suggest that this film is about the typical people that are the suspects of certain crimes. This means that it could link to the thriller genre becuase of the ciminal aspect of the film. Also, it could intrigue the audience becuase of the fact that they want to know who the suspects are and who the actual criminal is.

Design of The Film Title

The design of the test is a simple white colour with a block font (Figure 4). The font almost looks like each individual letter is a person standing in s suspect line up. This is becuase the letter are spaced out slightly and the letters are tall rather than wide. The white font is on a black background that is dark sea water at night. This links to what is about to happen in the story becuase a boat is about to be set on fire. The font is very small on the screen which could suggest that there are lots of suspects and the police don't know who commited the crime. This is becuase of the ratio of white lettering to black background. On top of this, becuase the sea is used as a background is could suggest that the police don't know who they are up against because the sea is an unknown area.

Additional Information

Insitutions:

• Polygram Filmed Entertainment (Figure 1)
• Spelling Films International (Figure 2)

The insitutions appear before the title of the film.

Director: (Figure 3, 24)

•  Bryan Singer

Actors: (Figure 5 - 13)

• Stephen Baldwin
• Gabriel Byrne
• Chazz Palminteri
• Kevin Pollak
• Pete Postlethwaite
• Kevin Spacey - Last stand alone name in opening credits (main character)
• Suzy Amis

 Casting: (Figure  14)

• Francine Maisler, C.S.A

Music: (Figure  15)

• John Ottman

Costume Designer: (Figure  16)

• Louise Mingenbach

Prodcution Designer: (Figure  17)

•  Howard Cummings

Editor: (Figure  18)

• John Ottman

Director of Photography: (Figure  19)

• Newton Thomas Sigel

Producers: (Figure 20 - 21, 23)

• Kenneth Kokin
• Robert Jones
• Hand Brockmann
• Francois Duplat
• Art Horan
• Bryan Singer
• Michael McDonnell

Writer: (Figure  22)

• Christopher McQuarrie

Date and Location - there are a few different dates and locations through the opening sequence:

• San Pedro, California - Last night
• New York City - 6 weeks ago
• San Pedro, California - Present day

Whole sequence

The pace of editing is slow and most of the shots are in real-time with only a few manipulating time. The whole sequence keeps the audience questioning what has happened and why it is happening. Mise en scene is used well to keep one of the character's identity hidden, with low-key lighting and it is used well to help make this a thriller film. On top of this, the sound works well with some dialogue and good used of foley's with some off-screen sounds, additionally, the background music is parallel sound because it matches what is happening on screen. All of these things work well together to make this a thriller opening because there is an enigma that is created to keep the audience interested. This opening appeals to the target audience, of young adults mostly males, very well with a balance of mystery and action.

Sound

Throughout the opening credits and the showing of the title to the audience there is sound. The sound is non-diegetic background music that is string and orchestral music with piano music. This create a mysterious mood and atmosphere right at the start of the opening. This is used to interest the audience becuase the music build suspence and mystery.

Film Poster

Figures

 

Figure

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24