Analysis of opening sequence

 office space

The key function of a title sequence is as a vehicle for the main credits. In Office Space the clip starts off showing the audience that the film is made by one of Americas major film studios, 20th Century Fox. Once again the title of Twentieth century fox is in focus though this time with a black back drop and blu cartoonish letters which gives the audience an idea that the film will be comedy based rather than a standard font, such as Times new roman, to imply a sense of seriousness. Cleverly, throughout the opening sequence the names of those who were involved witht he making of the film have their names also highlighted in the cartoonish blue font which gives themselves credit for their work.
The music chosen for the opening sequences is by damaso perez prado, mambo number eight. It is a playfull song which succesfully reflects the whole film therefore allowing the audience an insight into the film in which they are about to view. In addition to this at 1:50 the film cleverly sounds out the main theme tune to bring in the non diegetic sound of the cars radio in which it plays Scarface's song "no tears." This song deliberately contrasts to the stereotypes of what type of people would listen to rap music by showing a white business man wearing glasses to be overly enjoying it. Once again the use of this enables the viewer to understand that the theme will be that of a comedy.
However I feel that it is the mise en scene that plays the most important part in establishing the tone and genre. All three characters are depicted being stuck in traffic on the motorway seeming to all be on their ways to work due to their attire of suits and ties. The sense of endless traffic relates the viewer to the film as each of the characters refletcs every type of driver when stuck in traffic; the driver who tries to swerve their way in and out of the traffic thought without success, drivers who simple relax whilst listening to the radio and the impatient driver who finds themself getting easily aggitated and frustrated.
The old man who walks past using a zimmerframe is used to highlight the slow speed at which the traffic is going at and therefore adds a comical feel. The use of cutaways are used well to portray the idea of so many people being apart of the traffic though so many being alone at the same time which is once again another give a way to the tone of the film which may arise later in the film.

 trainspotting

‘Trainspotting’ has a very different style and this is very apparent to the viewer from the short clip. We are shown the production company in a plain font which doesn't make us prejudge the genre before seeing anything. We are shown the main character who is speaking throughout, giving us an insight in to his and his friends lives, it proceeds to freeze on each character and show us their name and some basic information about them; already we feel as if we know a lot about the film and involves the audience. The soundtrack stays the same and with its fast beat it really compliments what’s actually going on. From the opening scene we are given a lot of information about the film, location, and lifestyle and although its very action packed I think its good as it really makes you want to watch the rest to see what happens.