Research: Textual Analysis

Double Indemnity

Synopsis:

Phyllis Dietrichson seduces insurance agent Walter Neff into murdering her husband to collect his accident policy. The murder goes as planned, but after the couple's passion cools, each becomes suspicious of the other's motives. The plan is further complicated when Neff's boss Barton Keyes, a brilliant insurance investigator, takes over the investigation. Told in flashbacks from Neff's perspective, the film moves with ruthless determinism as each character meets what seems to be a preordained fate.





Genre: Film Noir, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Release Date: 1944

Duration: 107 mins long

Produced by: Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom

Distribution company: Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios

Director: Billy Wilde




Main Actors: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson

Box Office: $5,000,000

Facts:

• Based on James M. Cain's 1943 novella of the same title

• Nominated for seven Academy Awards

• Billy Wildes also wrote (with 10 others) the first James Bond movie in 1967 - Casino Royale

• Ranked number 27 of the American greatest films

Links which helped me find this information:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036775/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Indemnity_(film)

Typical conventions of film noir in Double Indemnity:

• Non linear
• Black and white
• Venetian blinds to cast shadows
• Theme of murder
• Suits
• Red lipstick

Conventions of an OTS

Core conventions of an opening sequence to a film:

• Title
• Main Actors
• Short scene
• Production company
• Director
• Distribution company
• Opening credits

Conventions of Title Sequences from reigatemedia
This slideshare was given by the teacher,.

Why does an opening title sequence include these?

An opening title sequence must include some information about the film (such as main actors, production company, title) so you know what film you're about to watch. Some opening title sequences may include brief scenes of the following movie, I prefer opening title sequences that do this, as it gives the viewer an idea of the film, and is a good way of anticipating whether you'll enjoy the film.
Although the opening title sequence should include part of the film, it shouldn't give away too much of the plot or the viewer will already know the story and so will not be interested in wasting an hour or so watching.
A good opening title sequence should end on a cliff hanger, as the viewer will be thrilled and anticipating what the film will include.

Opening sequence of Se7en consists of:

Production company: 

Director: David Fincher

Main Actors: 

Title:

Stills taken from http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/

Conventions of an OTS extended

Activity 1:

Conventions of an opening sequence from emiliefreddie
Emilie Freddies' is successful at identifying conventions as she uses short explanations for each point. However only some conventions in her slide show show examples. I would use examples in every convention slide. I think this presentation is for pupils however the slide show isn't ideal for this audience as the font style and back ground is rather boring.

Codes and conventions of opening sequences from kcasmedia
I think kcasmedia's slide show is the best at identifying the conventions. It gives examples from films and explains each convention clearly. Their slide show uses a lot more pictures and examples so I think it is aimed at pupils. I think the format is the clearest and looks the best overall.

An Analysis Of The Opening Sequence Of Vertigo from Media Studies
Media Studies used word, and although you can see they have put a lot of thought and effort into it, it looks boring and is a struggle to read all the way through. I think because of this their document is aimed at teachers. If it were aimed at a pupil it would be more interactive. However the content is full and is explained well. The example used is well explained, just like the whole document and is very informative. If the document was more interactive (on a format such as a power point) it will be designed for my age range.

Conventions of a thriller opening from zubairkhan93
I think zubairkhan93's power point is the worst overall. It specifies with just Thriller opening titles and although you can kind of understand what they are trying to get across, it doesn't make sense. Also the power point is too short and doesn't give much information as they didn't identify all conventions.

Sweded Film Examples

Sweded Film Examples