Title Research: Antebellum

1. What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? 

The first title that is displayed during the opening sequence is the studio that produced the film. In this case, QC Entertainment was the production company. An epigraph then fades in and then out of the scene which reads, "The past is never dead. It's not even the past. - William Faulkner". The parent company, Lionsgate, is then shown on the screen with the setting of the movie in the background. The subsidiary company, QC Entertainment, is shown once again following Lionsgate. Following this, the names of the film directors, producers, and actors are displayed. Next are the names of the people who selected the actors, supervised the music, designed costumes, edited the film, designed the production, and directed photography. Lastly, are the names of the executive producers, other producers, the directors, and writers. 

2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

The images prioritized in the opening sequence are the different scenes within the plantation. In the beginning, we see a young white girl who is running happily to her mother to give her flowers. The scene is bright and gives off a cheerful vibe. The camera then follows armed men who are monitoring the work performed by black workers. The lighting in the shots which show this is darker than that of the little girl who was shown in the beginning. There is then an armed soldier seen raising the Confederate flag up in the center of the work areas. Towards the end of the sequence, a black man is seen being restrained by the soldiers and a woman is crying on the ground near him. After a while, she gets off the ground and runs away from the action. The sequence then closes with one of the soldiers looking off in the distance while drinking as the woman runs. 

3. What connotations do these images carry? 

These images carry negative connotations since it shows the struggle of black people during the times of slavery. Even though it is only a couple minutes into the film, you can see the disparity of the slaves working on the plantation.

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

The film established a feeling of the genre from the outset because it shows a man being held back by the soldier and a woman running off. This immediately causes the audience to wonder what happened and why is the woman running away. A woman is also shown beforehand being pushed off of a horse which also incites some questions as to her importance within the film. 

5. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

I believe that the increasingly dramatic music, the contrast in the lighting, the showing of the slaves working hard, and the conflict between the soldiers and the slaves appeals to the target audience. This is because it would grab the attention of both races during the times of slavery. 

6. How has technology been used effectively? 

Technology has been used effectively in relation to the camera angles and movements throughout the opening sequence. The camera is constantly panning to the different work locations around the plantation which gives off a solemn or sunken feeling. Tracking shots are also used as the soldier patrol the plantation. This created the mood that the soldiers are seen as superior and authoritative figures compared to slaves. 

Website: Art of the Title