Film: 300
The opening sequence does not really contain any specific clue to how the films narrative takes place but does give us clues to the themes through the use of props, colours and costumes using Computer generated images and of course through the titles used. We pick up that the film is about the Spartan soldiers and war through the images of blood being split, soldiers on horses and the constant use of the colour red representing blood of soldiers. The sequence is set with the sky being colours such as red, gold and yellow representing the sky burning - an idea of hell for the viewer.
This is the institution logo that Warner Bros (institution responsible for 300) use. The logo was not included as it would damage the themes and ideas of the sequence. This may be because the logos colour scheme does not match that of the sequence. Also, the institution may not have been the selling point of the film explaining why it was not included in the opening sequence.
Typography used
The font is red and used in italics. This emphasizes the intensity of the film that the editor may be trying to show us along with the constant referral to the colour red which brings us to recognise the blood that is split in the wars of 300.
The font is slightly carved on the edges to prevent it looking too straight and formal. This could also give us the feeling that the fonts have been cut with swords of the Persian army or sliced in the mix of the battle in the opening sequence.
Also, the names are larger in font size to ensure the audience get a good view of who is featured in the making of the film. This enables the audience to spot out their favourite actors, directors, producers etc.
Lastly, the font is placed behind the darkest part of the frame, again to emphasize the names that are present on the screen so that the audience can spot out the people involved in the film that they are fans of.
The font is slightly carved on the edges to prevent it looking too straight and formal. This could also give us the feeling that the fonts have been cut with swords of the Persian army or sliced in the mix of the battle in the opening sequence.
Also, the names are larger in font size to ensure the audience get a good view of who is featured in the making of the film. This enables the audience to spot out their favourite actors, directors, producers etc.
Lastly, the font is placed behind the darkest part of the frame, again to emphasize the names that are present on the screen so that the audience can spot out the people involved in the film that they are fans of.
Title Annotation
1) "Directed by Zack Snyder"
-The person in charge of the overall look and feel of the film.
-This credit may come first as people may recognise the film because they are fans of this Director through their older pieces of work.
2) "Screenplay by Zack Snyder &Kurt Johnstad and Michael B Gordon"
-In charge of the films script.
3) "Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley"
-Where the film idea originates from.
-Comes early on in the credits as the film may be significantly recognised for its plot which comes from the graphic novel.
4) "Produced by Gianni Nuanni"
5) "Produced by Mark Canton"
6) "Produced by Bernie Goldman and Jeffery Silver"
-The person who initiates the making of the film
-Comes early on in the credits as it is again, one of the selling points of the film for fans of this producer in particular.
7) "Executive producers D.Snyder, F.Miller, C.J.Flores"
8) "Executive Producers T. Tull, W. Fay, S. Mednick, B. Waisbren"
-The executives are the ones who are in charge of the decisions made in terms of the production.
9) "Director of Photography Larry Fong"
-The person who supervises the photography in the production.
10) "Production designer James Bissel"
-The person who designs the overall look of the film.
11) "Edited by William Hoy, A.C.E."
-The person who creates the sequence of shots for the film.
-These members of the production all play a vital part in creating a successful film, in this case 300. Their names are shown in the credits to show recognition to who played the bigger parts in creating the film. Also, their names come early on in the credits to ultimately show of all of the big names and promote the scale of the production.
Actors
12) "Jerrard Butler"
-Plays the main role in the acting of the film.
-He is the person who will be most commonly recognised by the audience which is why he is the first actor to be shown. This credit also provides a form of introduction to the following credit - the title.
13) "300"
-Title
-Shown after the main actor and the names of the technical managers and producers etc. to show the scale of the films production and prepare the audience for the intensity of the film.
14) "Lence Henry"
15) "David Wenham"
16) "And Domonic West"
17) "Vincent Regan, Michale Fassbunder"
19) "Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin"
20) "Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro"
21) "Peter Mensah, Stephen McHattie"
-This is the well-recognised members of the cast that help to promote the film and create suspense as the audience builds their excitement to view the film with so many recognised names. The order of the cast is most likely goes in the order of who was paid the most, which then most probably correlates with who is the most famous and the best actors out of the cast.
Others
22) "Casting by Carrie Hilton"
-Shown after the cast as the viewers will be more interested in who is acting over who got hold of the actors.
23) "Co-Producers Steve Barnett and Josette Perotta"
-Giving recognition to the people who played the main roles back stage, which comes later on as people are less concerned with these factors.
24) "Costumes designed by Michael Wilkinson"
25) "Music by Taylor Bates"
-Given recognition because factors such a the films music and actors costumes are vital to the feel of the film and give it a realistic effect.
26) "Visual effects supervisor Chris Watts"
-Visual effects are vital in a film like this as the graphics are what may make the film so successful and popular.
27) "A Warner Bros pictures presentation" (REPEAT)
28) "In association with Legendary Pictures"
29) "And virtual studios"
-Vital to the production and therefore must have some recognition in the credits.
30) "A Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari production" (REPEAT)
31) "A Zack Snyder film" (REPEAT)
32) "Unit production managers, Jack Lavore, Jeffery Silver.
-Responsible for the administration of the films production.
33) "First assistant director Martin Watters"
-Given recognition as he helped to create the feel of the film and therefor contributed the the success.
34) "Visual effects by Grant Freckellon"
-Visual effects are vital in a film like this as the graphics are what may make the film so successful and popular.
35) "Associate producer Wesly Coller, Silenn Thomas, Nathalie Petercentesse"
The order in which the credits are shown commonly correlate to the amount of money each person has been paid, for example Zack Snyder comes very early on and also gets a repeat towards the end. He most probably got paid the most by far.
1) "Directed by Zack Snyder"
-The person in charge of the overall look and feel of the film.
-This credit may come first as people may recognise the film because they are fans of this Director through their older pieces of work.
2) "Screenplay by Zack Snyder &Kurt Johnstad and Michael B Gordon"
-In charge of the films script.
3) "Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley"
-Where the film idea originates from.
-Comes early on in the credits as the film may be significantly recognised for its plot which comes from the graphic novel.
4) "Produced by Gianni Nuanni"
5) "Produced by Mark Canton"
6) "Produced by Bernie Goldman and Jeffery Silver"
-The person who initiates the making of the film
-Comes early on in the credits as it is again, one of the selling points of the film for fans of this producer in particular.
7) "Executive producers D.Snyder, F.Miller, C.J.Flores"
8) "Executive Producers T. Tull, W. Fay, S. Mednick, B. Waisbren"
-The executives are the ones who are in charge of the decisions made in terms of the production.
9) "Director of Photography Larry Fong"
-The person who supervises the photography in the production.
10) "Production designer James Bissel"
-The person who designs the overall look of the film.
11) "Edited by William Hoy, A.C.E."
-The person who creates the sequence of shots for the film.
-These members of the production all play a vital part in creating a successful film, in this case 300. Their names are shown in the credits to show recognition to who played the bigger parts in creating the film. Also, their names come early on in the credits to ultimately show of all of the big names and promote the scale of the production.
Actors
12) "Jerrard Butler"
-Plays the main role in the acting of the film.
-He is the person who will be most commonly recognised by the audience which is why he is the first actor to be shown. This credit also provides a form of introduction to the following credit - the title.
13) "300"
-Title
-Shown after the main actor and the names of the technical managers and producers etc. to show the scale of the films production and prepare the audience for the intensity of the film.
14) "Lence Henry"
15) "David Wenham"
16) "And Domonic West"
17) "Vincent Regan, Michale Fassbunder"
19) "Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin"
20) "Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro"
21) "Peter Mensah, Stephen McHattie"
-This is the well-recognised members of the cast that help to promote the film and create suspense as the audience builds their excitement to view the film with so many recognised names. The order of the cast is most likely goes in the order of who was paid the most, which then most probably correlates with who is the most famous and the best actors out of the cast.
Others
22) "Casting by Carrie Hilton"
-Shown after the cast as the viewers will be more interested in who is acting over who got hold of the actors.
23) "Co-Producers Steve Barnett and Josette Perotta"
-Giving recognition to the people who played the main roles back stage, which comes later on as people are less concerned with these factors.
24) "Costumes designed by Michael Wilkinson"
25) "Music by Taylor Bates"
-Given recognition because factors such a the films music and actors costumes are vital to the feel of the film and give it a realistic effect.
26) "Visual effects supervisor Chris Watts"
-Visual effects are vital in a film like this as the graphics are what may make the film so successful and popular.
27) "A Warner Bros pictures presentation" (REPEAT)
28) "In association with Legendary Pictures"
29) "And virtual studios"
-Vital to the production and therefore must have some recognition in the credits.
30) "A Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari production" (REPEAT)
31) "A Zack Snyder film" (REPEAT)
32) "Unit production managers, Jack Lavore, Jeffery Silver.
-Responsible for the administration of the films production.
33) "First assistant director Martin Watters"
-Given recognition as he helped to create the feel of the film and therefor contributed the the success.
34) "Visual effects by Grant Freckellon"
-Visual effects are vital in a film like this as the graphics are what may make the film so successful and popular.
35) "Associate producer Wesly Coller, Silenn Thomas, Nathalie Petercentesse"
The order in which the credits are shown commonly correlate to the amount of money each person has been paid, for example Zack Snyder comes very early on and also gets a repeat towards the end. He most probably got paid the most by far.