Title Research: Glass

1. What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? 

The parent company, Universal Pictures, is displayed first during the opening sequence. Following this was the production company Blinding Edge / Blumhosue is shown. After this was the name of the film director of the movie. Then the title of the film, with a broken glass effect, suddenly comes in then fades out. When the title completely fades out, the names of the actors are displayed on the screen. Next were the names of the people who chose the actors who supervised the music, designed the costumes, edited the film, designed the production, and directed the photography. The last names which are shown are that of the executive producers, co-producers, writers, and directors. 

2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence are the first shot the audience sees along with the second to last one. In the first scene, the audience is greeted by a well-known character from the previous films by M. Night Shyamalan. In this shot, he has young girls tied up which showed he is still suffering mentally as expressed in the last movie. As the opening sequence continues, two teenage boys attacked an innocent person while laughing and recording it on camera. To avoid being caught, the boys run and eventually escape making it home. The second to last scene is the one that is prioritized as it grabs the attention of the audience. In this scene, a man comes to their home in which they seem to know and recognize. The man attacks the two boys and it is suggested that he killed them. 

3. What connotations do these images carry? 

These images carry a negative connotation since the audience is made aware of the character from the last film who was dangerous. To add to this negativity, the teenage boys were killed by an unidentified man which peaks the suspicion of who this man is. This shows how the film is already heading in a bad direction within only the first couple of minutes of the movie. 

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 the two boys were killed by a man who is not known yet by the audience. The man seems to have some sort of supernatural ability since he threw one of the boys into the wall with abnormal force. This causes the audience to speculate and wonder who this man is and why did he kill these teens. The lack of answers creates the feeling of anticipation which then establishes a suspenseful atmosphere for what is yet to come. 

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

The strategy of foreshadowing is used to ensure the film appeals to the target audience. In the first scene, the audience is greeted by a familiar face which would draw in the audience who watched the last film. This is also combined with a sense of foreshadowing because the audience knows the background of this particular character and can begin predicting what role he will play in this production. 

6. How has technology been used effectively? 

Technology has been used effectively regarding the camera angles and editing style of the film. When the character from the last film is shown in the first scene, he is shot at a low angle. This made him look more superior and threatening which directly aligns with the characteristics of his character in the previous movie. The reverse shot editing technique was also used effectively in the opening sequence. While the teenagers are being attacked, the camera alternated between shots which showed the attacker at one time and the boy at the next time. This caused the tension to build within the scene and made it progressively scarier. 

Website: Art of the Title