The colour used in this particular title sequence is overexposed in a way that suggests the antiquity of the home videos. All of the clips appear to have been shot on sunny days, to keep the mood happy. In the background of the two clips that play simultaneously, it is plain black so that the focus is on the characters. The introductory credits are in a simple white font upon the black background. There is a certain theme of simplicity.
There is a general bluish tone over the clips of young Zooey Deschanel, as compared to a warm tone over the shots of young James Gordon-Levitt. For example, there is a scene where teenage Gordon-Levitt is playing guitar in his bedroom, and parallel to that is a scene of Deschanel indoors where she is making a paper crane. I think this is done as a premonition of their attitudes in the movie. Summer is more of a cold character, who doesn't allow too much emotion into her life, whereas Tom is searching for love and falls head-over-heels in love with Summer at first sight.
The colour looks desaturated and overexposed because the quality and resolution are not the best, but I think this adds to the intentional vintage effect. The use of colour in this title sequence contributes to the mood by keeping it simple and positive. There are no overly bright or dull colours that will distract the eye from one clip to another, the tone is either neutral and slightly warm/orange or neutral and slightly cold/blue, in order to keep the viewer intersted in both simultaneous clips.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Monday, 28 March 2011
3. Music
The song playing during the title sequence is 'Us' by Regina Spektor. It is a beautiful combination of piano, vocals, and orchestra.
The lyrics of the song are very relevant to the story of the characters itself. The first line is "they made a statue of us, and put it on a mountain top". I love the whole concept of the world edifying love by making a statue. It suggests that the person who's perspective it is and her significant other had something so profound and honest that they immortalized it. In the chorus, there are the lyrics "We're living in a den of thieves, rummaging for answers in the pages" and also "it's contagious". This signifies the lovers are going to spread it throughout without caring.. Though the line with "den of thieves" makes it sound like the love is being stolen, I prefer not to think of it that way. Love can't be stolen. :)
This song is the only music playing during the title sequence, there is no background noise. In a way, this isolates the characters within the song, creating more of a connection between the meaning of the song and the depth of their lives.
This was a great song choice for the title sequence because the piano part is playful and bouncy, as are the children in the videos.
The lyrics of the song are very relevant to the story of the characters itself. The first line is "they made a statue of us, and put it on a mountain top". I love the whole concept of the world edifying love by making a statue. It suggests that the person who's perspective it is and her significant other had something so profound and honest that they immortalized it. In the chorus, there are the lyrics "We're living in a den of thieves, rummaging for answers in the pages" and also "it's contagious". This signifies the lovers are going to spread it throughout without caring.. Though the line with "den of thieves" makes it sound like the love is being stolen, I prefer not to think of it that way. Love can't be stolen. :)
This song is the only music playing during the title sequence, there is no background noise. In a way, this isolates the characters within the song, creating more of a connection between the meaning of the song and the depth of their lives.
This was a great song choice for the title sequence because the piano part is playful and bouncy, as are the children in the videos.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
2. Genre / Atmosphere :)
Tone;
The initial tone of the title sequence is positive because of the happiness of the children in the videos, which gives the viewer false security that they are watching an average Romantic Comedy movie, which isn't true because there is a lot of depressing moments of heartache throughout the movie from Tom's behalf, caused by Summer. I think the director wants people to understand that sometimes not everything is as perfect or as simple as it once was, that things change, and that it's okay and usually for the best.
Mood of the opening;
The mood of the opening is very picturesque and simply put, it is happy. It portrays how simple childhood is and how there are a lot less things to worry about when you are young. I think this creates a reminiscing mood for the viewer, maybe even subconciously making them think about the happiness of being young.
How it is created;
It is created by using the faded home videos of Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt in a way that portrays happy memories. They have not used any more realistic cliched home videos that feature anything that ruins the mood, such as a clip of a child being upset about something for example. Instead they have used the positive clips to create an idealistic childhood on the screen.
The initial tone of the title sequence is positive because of the happiness of the children in the videos, which gives the viewer false security that they are watching an average Romantic Comedy movie, which isn't true because there is a lot of depressing moments of heartache throughout the movie from Tom's behalf, caused by Summer. I think the director wants people to understand that sometimes not everything is as perfect or as simple as it once was, that things change, and that it's okay and usually for the best.
Mood of the opening;
The mood of the opening is very picturesque and simply put, it is happy. It portrays how simple childhood is and how there are a lot less things to worry about when you are young. I think this creates a reminiscing mood for the viewer, maybe even subconciously making them think about the happiness of being young.
How it is created;
It is created by using the faded home videos of Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt in a way that portrays happy memories. They have not used any more realistic cliched home videos that feature anything that ruins the mood, such as a clip of a child being upset about something for example. Instead they have used the positive clips to create an idealistic childhood on the screen.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
1. Reason for selection. :)
Brief Description;
The title sequence of 500 Days Of Summer is a collection of old-style home videos from the two main actors, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.
It shows videos of each of them side by side as they grow up. The first clips are of them as young children, a close-up shot of their eyes. Then, of them playing by themselves. Her on a swing, and him balancing and jumping off a rock. The title sequence continues to show how they had similar childhoods, in their way of life and interests.Then there are home videos of their teenage years, with Joseph playing the guitar and soccer, and Zooey being interested in origami and horseriding.
How it fits into the film as a whole;
It fits into the film as a whole by suggesting that the characters were destined to meet, as if they grew up side by side but in different places. It shows that they both have the same generally happy mood, and that if they knew each other, they could really have a connection. Summer Finn (Deschanel) and Thomas Hansen (Gordon-Levitt) both show a passion for life in their childhoods which suggests that the characters will get along well. Although happy, the title sequence misleads the viewer that the movie will be positive through and through.
Why it appealed to me;
This particular title sequence appealed to me because it is creative and because this is my favourite movie. It was also interesting to see celebrities in their childhood years, and how children in other parts of the world grow up and the different opportunities/hobbies that they have. I also really like the song that plays during the title sequence, 'Us' by Regina Spektor. It fits well with the title sequence and contributed to the overall appeal of it.
:)
The title sequence of 500 Days Of Summer is a collection of old-style home videos from the two main actors, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.
It shows videos of each of them side by side as they grow up. The first clips are of them as young children, a close-up shot of their eyes. Then, of them playing by themselves. Her on a swing, and him balancing and jumping off a rock. The title sequence continues to show how they had similar childhoods, in their way of life and interests.Then there are home videos of their teenage years, with Joseph playing the guitar and soccer, and Zooey being interested in origami and horseriding.
How it fits into the film as a whole;
It fits into the film as a whole by suggesting that the characters were destined to meet, as if they grew up side by side but in different places. It shows that they both have the same generally happy mood, and that if they knew each other, they could really have a connection. Summer Finn (Deschanel) and Thomas Hansen (Gordon-Levitt) both show a passion for life in their childhoods which suggests that the characters will get along well. Although happy, the title sequence misleads the viewer that the movie will be positive through and through.
Why it appealed to me;
This particular title sequence appealed to me because it is creative and because this is my favourite movie. It was also interesting to see celebrities in their childhood years, and how children in other parts of the world grow up and the different opportunities/hobbies that they have. I also really like the song that plays during the title sequence, 'Us' by Regina Spektor. It fits well with the title sequence and contributed to the overall appeal of it.
:)
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
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