Title Research: Charlie's Angels (2000)

The third title sequence Hannah and I reviewed is called "Charlie's Angels". The primary reasons we choose this movie because of its accessibility and it is an action movie. This title sequence is found on "Art of the Title" / www.artofthetitle.com. This title sequence is about 1 minute and 30 seconds so, there will be less information about this particular title sequence.

1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences in the film?
There were 4 titles in total: one title of the movie and three titles of protagonists which were Natalie, Alex and Dylan.

2.What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence is the three girls. In the title sequence, most of the scenes have the girls together or separate. In the title sequence, it displays the events of the girls lives like backstory and interest.

3. What connotations do the images carry?
The connotations the images carry is empowerment and happy. Since the three protagonists are female, female audience would feel empowered because they can do action-packed scenes, be spies and go on adventures.  The images carry a happy connotations because of the music. The background music for one part of the title sequence "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham! . This upbeat  and catchy song helps convey happy feelings.

4. How is the genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
The genre was reinforced through the kidnapping  and their music. In the opening scene, it opens to a guy being kidnap on the boat. In most action movies, there are forms of kidnapping or violence. So, by having this scene it reinforce the action genre. The music in the first 15 seconds and in the scenes with the trio, there is dramatic music with a deep tone to foreshadow something bad is going to happen or something action-packed will occur. In the title sequence, there was a variety of angles: high, low, and eye-line. In the kidnapping scene, it was shot from a high and low angle to demonstrate the vulnerability of the man and the power Drew Barrymore's character possess.  The last way this title sequence reinforces the action genre is the presence of fire. Although the fire is graphic, it reinforces it because in most action movies fire is a by product of explosives.

5. How does the film establish enigma from the outset?
The film establish enigma from the outset by the kidnapping scene, scenes from the movie and curiosity for the three angels. In the opening, the title sequence opens with a kidnapping scene. It is implied through the man yelling at them and is trapped on a boat. This leaves the audience to wonder how and why they kidnap that man. Also, the title sequences foreshadows scenes in the movie. For instance, there was one scene where one of the girls were in handcuffs. This makes the audience wonder why and how she is in handcuffs or whether is was used for a comedic effect. The last way the film establish enigma is through the girls. Through the scenes, the audience sees their individualism and their teamwork. This makes them wonder how and why they became "Charlie's Angels".

6. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The target audience is adults . The primary way the film appeals to its target audience is its inclusion of women. The main characters are female and in most action-packed movies, the spies are male. This targets the female audience because it shows women can feel empowered and do action-packed scenes. The film appeals to male because males love to see beautiful women as the main protagonists.  The main protagonist are played by Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and  Lucy
Lu, three beautiful women in 2000.  Also, it targets audiences who watch "Charlie's Angels" because this movie is a remake of the tv series "Charlie's Angels" as a nostalgia moment.

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

There was a variety of editing techniques used in this movie. The primary editing techniques are wipes and split screens. The wipes were used to transition to the next scene and the split screens were to emphasized the individualism of each woman and how their different background help develop a good team dynamic. Other editing that was used to emphasize their differences was the sound. During the split screen of each individual girl, different music was used  to accompany the scene. For Natalie's backstory, the sound "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go " was in the background while in Alex's backstory,  the song "The Best Thing is Life Are Free". The lyrics were about being the best can demonstrate how Alex wants to be free from being perfect.  Minor editing techniques that were used was flash in and out. When the photography took a picture of Alex wining an equestrian competition, the flash in/outs help transition into Drew Barrymore's character. . In the kidnapping scene, it was shot from a high and low angle to demonstrate the vulnerability of the man and the power Drew Barrymore's character possess.