Describe the musical strategies of some exemplary 'titles' sequences in a way that illuminates the function of music in entertainment cinema.

... Shoël Stadlen Describe the musical strategies of some exemplary 'titles' sequences in a way that illuminates the function of music in entertainment cinema. In order to view a variety of techniques used, the title sequences of four films will be analysed: from classic Hollywood cinema Casablanca and Psycho, a modern Hollywood film, Edward Scissorhands, and a recent Russian film, Prisoner of the Mountains (Kavkazky Plennik). In non-musical terms Casablanca, Psycho and Edward Scissorhands all present different versions of the classic Hollywood technique of using a closed, self-contained titles sequence. Meanwhile in Prisoner of the Mountains there is an extended sequence before the titles begin, and this sequence includes music. The following points need to be addressed with regard to each film: how the music in the title sequence coincides with the visuals (i.e. how the sequence works on its own); what kind of role the music plays; how this can be interpreted

want to read more? →