Types of ots
There are three types of of opening title sequences. These include linear, non-linear and symbolic.
1. Linear
Linear filming is the process of selecting and arranging images and sound in a chronological order. Regardless of how it is filmed is must be ordered sequentially. It must feature the act of continuity throughout to make it obvious as being linear.
Here are some examples of linear opening title sequences.
Here are some examples of linear opening title sequences.
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The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Ring (2002), Supernatural 12x04 and Poltergeist (1982) all use linear opening title sequences. It is clear to see that they all begin with linear as they are in chronological order and all carry out the act of continuity.
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2. non-linear
Nonlinear filming is a disjointed or disrupted narrative through the use of flashbacks or events. The narrative will not follow a normal chronological order but will switch to different events at different times. Making it nonlinear as it does not follow the direct causality pattern as a linear.
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Oculus, House at the End of the Street, The Purge and Sinister all use a nonlinear opening title sequence. This is clear to see because the film begins with an event from the middle of the film or an unexplained event. This makes the film disjointed and uses flashbacks to disrupt the flow of the film.
3. Symbolic or visual
Symbolic or visual opening title sequences focus on the objects within the scene such as pictures of short clips of people. This is symbolic as it usually gives references to a certain genre or action within a film.
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American Horror Story: season 5, The Exorcist (1973), Se7en and the Walking Dead: season 7 all use a symbolic opening title sequence. This is clear to see because they use short clips of objects rather than beginning a standard storyline.
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EXAMPLES OF BOTH LINEAR/NONLINEAR AND SYMBOLIC
insidious (2013)
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Insidious is both nonlinear and symbolic. This is because it focuses on elements such as a light, the sun/moon and 2 people. However, it is clear to also notice it is a nonlinear because it shows us a scary looking woman who we are yet to meet and understand why is she is there.
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World War Z's opening title sequence would be both linear and symbolic. It is symbolic because it focuses on elements such as birds, people in the streets and traffic. It is also linear because of the sound, we hear people talking as if on the news about a disease that has started to spread, and therefore telling the audience what the film is going to be about.
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