Title Research: The Black Phone

 

The movie I chose to do research on is The Black Phone. I found the opening scene of this horror movie on the website Art of the Title.  

- What titles are displayed during the opening sequences?

    The opening sequence starts with the names of the production companies involved in making this movie. The title then appears in big bold letters. As the opening sequence continues, the actors names are displayed in the same font but smaller size followed up with the name of the casting director. Co- producers, costume designers, editors, executive producers, and producers are listed scene by scene. The movie is a based on a short story so the title and author of the story are included in the opening sequence. The opening sequence ends with the title of the director of the movie. 

- What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

    The opening sequence starts with a boy riding his bike and all of sudden a black van appears. Images of missing person posters are constantly shown throughout the opening sequence. One of the missing person posters had the boy from the beginning of the opening scene on it. Children and blood are also frequently shown. 

- How does the film establish a feeling of the genre from the outset?

  The opening sequence begins with a happy boy riding his bike while upbeat music plays in the background. The boys' smile fades as he sees a dark and mysterious van coming his way. As the van approaches him the music slows down and the screen turns black. This establishes the feeling of the genre horror because it creates suspense and sparks questions surrounding what happened to the boy. The setting is gloomy and the colors are muted developing a feeling of uneasiness.