Titling

In order to get an accurate feel for what titles would look authentic alongside our film, we had to look at the codes and conventions of titling for period dramas. One thing we found that all period dramas had in common was that often, the titles are in white font against a black background. This is slick and formal. As well as looking at the various styles associated with titling, we also decided to look at the running order for all of the titles. Before adding our own titles in the editing stage, we made a rough plan of what order they should be in and where exactly they should be in connection with the shot.
This can be seen below:

1. Idents: Film 4, Irish Film Board, UK Film council, Bronze age films
2. A film4 production
3. In association with Irish Film Board, Uk Film Council, Bronze age films
4. Starring Emer O’Kane
5. guest starring Andrew Murray
6. Directed by Ellie Wildman
7. Produced by Caoimhe Beare
8. Cinematography by Eimear McCann and Charlie Beare
9. Sound design by Ellie Wildman
10. Original Score by Eimear McCann
11. Editing by Ellie Wildman
12. Production design by Dan Miskimmon
13. Main movie titles

Here are all of our titles:

Whilst we followed the typical codes and conventions for titling period dramas by having our titles positioned around the film in white font. However, we wanted to have our own edge on the film, therefore we added the 'feature' effect on editor so that each letter would fade in. I felt like this would give it an eerie effect which was in parallel with the tone I was trying to create. As well as this, I transitioned the main movie titles into negative, to create something new and atmospheric.

Below are the title sequences of my five films that I analysed for inspiration:

1) Mother Joan of Angels:

The text was in white and the titling came at the start of the movie. The language was in Polish as that is where the movie was made. We followed this to a degree with our main movie title, which is in Irish, adding to the description of our film. The text came over the film, however the movie is in black and white and so the movie still stood out.

2) The New World:

The start of this movie is purely film as though an introduction of some sort and then there is a small animatic section where the soundtrack also starts, this is where the titles are shown, beginning with the main movie titles. The font is standard and in white.

3) The Young Victoria:

The opening to this film has a short introductory section and then the titles are shown in medium, white font.

4) Jane Eyre:

Unlike the other films the font in Jane Eyre is gold like fading embers. It fades in and out lightly much like the soundtracking, creating an overall tone and mood for the film.

5) The Duchess:

The titles for this film wipe in from the right of the screen and the font is medium white ground on a black background. However, the main movie title is in white and shows alongside the film.