Brief - create the opening credits for a new cult TV series (25 seconds - 60 seconds)
Group size: three or four
You must include some* of the following:
- Clear generic conventions, and clear generic subversions
- A bleak, edgy aesthetic
- Themes of paranoia and hyperreality
- Copious use of intertextuality
- Dark and gloomy mise en scene
- An enigmatic title
- Main characters and the names of actors
- The use of stock footage
- A range of exploratory cinematographic techniques including a variety of camera angles
- An edited version of a song selected from the short list
nb: elements may be added to this list as the task goes on
If in doubt, use an existing opening you like the look of as a template. What have they included? What didn't they include?
Stock footage
One highly postmodern element you must include is the use of stock footage. From a Baudrillardian perspective, it infers the wilful destruction of discursive elements, both intra and extradiegetic, reflecting the uncertainty and sense of displacement inherent to postmodern existence.
It also looks cool.
You will be provided with a range of grainy stock footage to muck around with. Lucky you!
Song list
You will be provided with a range of edgy tracks to use. In every case, they must be edited down substantially. This gives you an opportunity to select the part of the song that best reflects your aesthetic vision.
And before you ask, yes, you must pick one of these tracks**. Such is life...
Aphex Twin – Xtal
Autechre - Eggshell
Fuck Buttons – Surf Solar (single version)
Gescom - Mag (Ae Remix)
Mogwai - Superheroes Of BMX
Mono - Where Am I
Zomby - With Love
Inspiration
The following films and TV shows are overflowing with stylish mise-en-scene and themes of paranoia and hyperreality.
Entries marked ^ are film trailers. Remember you are making a TV opening, but can take inspiration from anywhere!
Anti-Clock ^ (UK, 1979)
Decoder ^ (West Germany, 1984)
Humans (UK, 2015)
Max Headroom (US, 1987)
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Westworld (2016)
The X Files (1993)
Why are we doing this?
In the exam, you will be expected to explore important concepts such as hyperreality, simulacrum, fandom, generic conventions, audience targeting, the role of ideology in the construction of representations, the role of non-mainstream media products and, perhaps most importantly of all, how meaning is encoded through media language. This project, if carried out whole-heartedly, will allow you to explore this.
*Let's not get bogged down in how much. The more the merrier, yeah?
**Remember, if you are commissioned to assemble and design opening credits, you will have no say over song choice and footage, and even the overall style will be heavily dictated.