Title Sequence Analysis

American Horror Story: Coven

I have chosen to analyse the title sequence of American Horror Story: Coven as it a horror and so is our film and it is also in a similar location to our film as they are both set in woods for the majority of it.

Our film's location 

American Horror Story: Coven location

The title sequence contains a lot of fast paced editing with a mixture of transitions such as fade to dark, fade to light, flash of light and jump cuts. It has mainly short-fast shots with a few longer ones which are followed up by more short shots, this is effective in creating a dramatic effect. Some of the shots are also distorted and the angles on some shots are canted. There is also a range of height between low, medium and high, with a lot of erratic movement throughout the title sequence.

Low angle

High angle

Canted angle

The mise-en-scene of the title sequence is also a factor to consider. In this one the location is mainly in the woods, the whole of the title sequence contains dark scenes with some having poor lighting, creating a dark, eerie feel. Furthermore, some of the shots are in black and white. The clothes which are worn are also dark and mysterious and there is a shot of someones shoes with spikes on which looks quite threatening. The props follow the forms and conventions of horror as well, for example voodoo dolls, fire, smoke, blood and animal skulls.

Threatening costume

Poor lighting

Poor lighting

Voudoo doll

Smoke

Blood

The sound in the title sequence is all non-diegetic, there is no dialogue. The music is quite slow however it builds up and there are quite a few strange and unusual sounds. It contains eerie sound effects however it is hard to tell what they are supposed to be which makes it uneasy to listen to giving it an uncomfortable feel.


The titles and graphics are black and white, with an unusual font, a creepy picture beside it and some of the shots move and flicker or have some sort of effect on them. The title sequence doesn't really tell you anything, it just creates a scary atmosphere and a sense of fear to the audience. The title sequence is very mysterious and you don't find much out about the characters as they are only seen quickly in some scenes.

It looks like a low end budget in the sense that there aren't any massively expensive special effects and the props and location etc are basic such as in the woods which is easily accessible to anyone, however this doesn't mean it looks low budget in how good it is as in my opinion it is a really effective opening sequence.

The styles and codes are all relevant to the horror genre, from the very beginning we can tell it is going to be a horror film for example with the props, the lighting, the fast paced editing and the location. It is mysterious and intriguing and contains a lot of elements of horror which makes it very gripping.