Title Research: Shirley

 With the use of the website Art of the Title, we were able to come across the film Shirley, a thriller movie. The thriller film Shirley begins with the jobs and occupants’ names. Following these important names, the name Shirley appears in cursive letters with a black screen behind it. There is only one main image priority during the opening sequence seeing that it is one continuous shot. This shot is a slow zoom into a woman and man dancing to music in a house. It shows a bond between both characters and establishes a relationship. Since the shot is in low key lighting and is set at night time, it shows a negative connotation while making the audience feel uneasy and off putting. Although, when the camera begins to get closer to the house window, the light inside begins to get brighter. This introduces a new, positive connotation, different than the previous one. From the beginning of the opening sequence, the audience absorbs the thriller feeling through a fade into a blurry scene. In addition to this, the directors, producers, cast and crew’s names are all in bright white and cursive to show a contrast from the dark, black and simple background. Also, since there is an old song playing, which is usually associated with a creepy feeling, it enhances the feeling of suspense and tension. It appeals to a young adult demographic by ensuring romance in the opening sequence. However, with the use of an old song being played on what sounds like a record player, it draws in the older, mature audience. It also ensures not to appeal to the youngest demographic by keeping the scene dark and mysterious, while also not showing any children in the opening sequence. Through different technology techniques, an effective picture was made. The sequence begins with an edit of a fade into a blurry focus. It slowly begins to zoom into a picture, yet still remains unfocused and blurry throughout. It starts at a wide shot outside the house, but as it zooms in, it changes into a mid shot and finishes with a closeup. The image scene then ends with fade out into black, while the white, cursive text of Shirley appears on screen.