Soundscape - Ambient sound that we can hear in a scape, for example: birds, clock ticking, e.c.t
Clapperboard - Is a device that is used in both film making and production. It is used to assist the synchronizing of sound and picture. It marks a point in the scene that can easily be identified in editing so that both the sound and picture can be cleverly put together to form synchronous sound.
Dubbed Sound - sound that is added later, over the top of the picture
Foley Artists - Person that creates and adds background sounds and noises later on in the editing. This allows sound to remain clear and avoid background interruptions.
Contrapuntal Sound - Sound that doesn't match the action/scene
Wild Track - Ambient Background noise that you would expect to hear, for example, wildlife.
Sound Bridge - connects or link to pieces of sound over two scenes.
Score - specifically composed music or sound for a film, unlike song which already exists and is chosen not created specifically.
The images to the left both show opening credit timelines, the first being of the movie "panic room" and the second from the film "the bourne identity".
The opening credits to the movie "panic room" are 1 minute and 44 seconds long. It begins with the institution and has between 23 to 24 title shots. The music for the institutional logo also bridges with the music of the main title sequence and fades out to police sirens. It gradually builds and drops from frame to frame. The sequence also giving the setting for the scene, as there are a range of buildings shown with the credits. This connotes that the scene is likely to be of a city, most likely a city like New York. There is no action for the title sequence either. Finally the sound bridges between two frames towards the end of the opening credits. As the original score sound fades out and the talking of people comes in.
Unlike "panic room", the music for the opening credits of "the bourne identity" starts from the very beginning excluding the sound for the institution logo and its animation. The score sound is rather awkward and hard to figure out. This creates a sense of mystery or enigma that may relate to the tone and genre of the film. The opening sequence of the bourne identity is 1 minute and 40 seconds long, 4 seconds shorter than "panic room". There are no bridges of sound here and the sound is very consistent, however towards the end of the sequence the sound does fade out slowly until it is no longer heard. The sequence however (unlike "panic room"), doesn't set the scene of the film, but does show what looks like fingerprints. This is also an enigma code and sets a sense of mystery and identification.
The two films do however use music that has been specifically made or suited for the opening, rather than use an already in use soundtrack.
Definitions
Theme: A theme is the idea that exists in a subject that act like the base or foundation for a particular piece, whether it is work, art or another medium. The below video is a game intro that uses the theme of location and the location of miami city. This city is associated with the rich, high life and living on the edge. The video also suggests that there is a theme of crime and violence. This is evident as in the video we see gangs and bikers and these groups of people are usually associated with committing crimes and participating in violent activities
Style: The style relates to the method or aesthetics used when creating a piece. It is symbolic to what is being created, whether you use specific camera angles, editing techniques, e.c.t. In the below video the intro portrays a 70's, retro style. This is evident from the use of grainy quite deteriorated effects. There a flickers of black dots and white strips. These are often seen in old movies as the technology wasn't there to create high definition products so in using the effect in the intro they relate to and create a 70's style.
Whereas the theme relates to the actual contents of the video, the style is to do with how the piece is presented.
Enigma code: mystery that is connoted through shots used, editing, e.c.t.
Cold Opening: Where at the beginning the piece goes straight into the action.
Title analysis
The Themes presented in the opening sequence of the TV drama Dexter are ones of death, horror, thriller and crime. This is a result of the many connotations to blood, used in the opening. Parts were materials and props such as ketchup, link to blood and to a larger extent death. This is also use of enigma codes, as it draws the audience to have to make assumptions and conclusions about what the show will be about and why they have used these connotations of blood. Symbolic codes are also used as the audience recognizes that the elements of blood are being portrayed in the sequence.
The style that is portrayed, however, is one of mystery. This is something we would usually associate with crime and detection, Mystery. So in the opening sequence it is evident that they have tried to show this as best as possible. For example, the text for Dexter is blurred and in what seems to be blood. The style is also modern and based around the present time. This can be connoted from the scenery and the clothing of the character, seen at the end of the sequence.
