Title Research: Watcher

  

Hi There!

Using the website, Art of the Title, I was able to research a multitude of title sequences! The one I chose to describe below is the Watcher (2022) which is a thriller, the same as the genre for our film! 

What titles are displayed during the opening sequence? (3)

    The titles displayed go in this order; the studio name (IFC Midnight and Shudder), the production company (Lost City), the director (Chloe Kuno). Then, it follows the actors' names (Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman, etc.) the person who cast the movie (Romeo Magda), who did the music (Nathan Halpern), the costume designer (Claudia Bunea), the editor (Michael Block), Production Designer (Nora Dumitrescu), director of photography (Benjamin Kirk Nelsen), the executive producers (James Hoppe and Elizabeth Grave), the producers (Mason Novick, John Pinemore, Aaron Kaplan, and Sean Perrone), the screenwriter who is also the director (Chloe Okuno). The final title card is of the film's title (Watcher). 

- What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? (5) 

    The images prioritized heavily feature themes of romance, but under the surface introduce an air of intrusion. The entire opening is framed by a window which signifies someone looking into the scene. However, the scene itself is showing an intimate couple on a couch introducing an air of intrusion. This singular image is portrayed for almost the entirety of the clip but slowly zooms out to include more and more of the window which increases the feeling of intrusion. At the very end, it switches to showing a woman, supposedly the woman on the couch in bed, shifting around as she attempts to get comfortable. 

- What connotations do these images carry?

    These images have been strategically placed to make the audience feel a sense of discomfort, to make the feel as though someone is watching. The singular movement of one image leaves the audience unsettled as if it they themselves intruding. The framing of the window shows the setting of the story as an apartment, emphasizing that this is focused on these singular characters rather than the city around them. However, the final scene of the woman in bed creates a scene that seems almost too familiar, to the unnerve audience. 

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

 The non-diegetic sound and lighting perfectly portray the genre. The music isn't made you make you jump or excited, instead, the slow, classical rhythm puts the audience on edge waiting for something to happen that just is not coming. The dark lighting utilized puts a shadow over the entire scene giving the audience a sense of fear of what is not seen. Psychologically, it introduced the anxiety we associate with the dark. In the final clip, jumping a close-up of the woman creates an unsettling effect that leaves the audience feeling uncomfortable as is important to thrillers.  

- What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? (4)

        This movie is targeted toward those who appreciate suspense. By giving them a hazy preview of what's to come, this title sequence appeals to a suspenseful audience. You know there is an aspect of romance as well as a theme of stalking. Most will be intrigued by the dark lighting and seemingly inconspicuous but mysterious opening.

- How has technology been used effectively? You want to consider camera angles, transitions, and editing techniques?

        One of my favorite things about this title sequence is the camera angles and movement. The slow zoom-out of the scene creates a strong sense of suspense and increasingly builds the feeling of someone watching, the very theme of the movie. Then, at the very end, the flip to the medium shot of the woman creates an unnerving immediate intimacy that with equal suspense, reverses the feelings of the audience.  

Thank you!