Title Research Blog: The Joker

Joker

 Hey guys, welcome to my blog!  Today I will be researching the title sequence for the movie"Joker" on 

"www.artofthetitle.com".

1. What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? 

During the opening sequences, the first title displayed is the name of the production company, which is "Warner Bros. Pictures". This is first displayed on a red screen with white text. In the next scene, it appears in the middle of the screen in yellow, cursive font. The next titles displayed are "Associated with Village Roadshow Pictures and BronCreative" as well as "A Joint Effort Production" in the same yellow font. As these titles appear on the screen, the Joker goes from spinning a sign to running down the street. Finally, the protagonist is left lying on the ground and in huge, yellow font reads the title of the movie, "Joker".

2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

The images that are prioritized in the opening sequence include the very beginning, where the Joker sits in a dressing room and does his clown makeup in front of the mirror. In the mirror, the audience can see the Joker practicing his signature grin, identifying the clown as not just an ordinary person, but Joker himself. The next images prioritized are extreme closeups and long shots of the Joker spinning a sign outside the business. These are prioritized because it establishes the Joker as someone with a low income and an unenjoyable job. The next images prioritized are of the cars honking at him as he chases after the kids, showing how things weren't going his way. The last images prioritized are of the kids beating the Joker on the ground, which is saved them for the end so that the audience fully understands his unhappiness with his job.

3. What connotations do these images carry?

The connotation the images of the Joker doing his clown makeup in front of the mirror carry is sad and lonely as he ignores everybody else in the background. When the Joker practices his grin and frown, a feeling of fright and concern emerge because of his downcast look. The long shots of the Joker spinning a sign outside the business give a feeling of isolation as the rest of the city goes upon their happy lives while he's stuck in one spot, unhappy. The images of the cars honking at him as he chases after the kids give a feeling of disturbance from the other characters in the movie. The last image where the Joker is being beaten to the ground changes the feelings from fright to sympathy, as the audience starts to feel bad for his situation.

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

Joker establishes a feeling of the Thriller genre from the outset by first including the police radio as background noise so that the feeling of crime in that neighborhood is introduced. Then, when tears come down the Joker's face and ruin his face makeup, feeling of anxiety and concern appears. This shifts the mood and leaves it up to a mystery of why he suddenly turns sad. Joker also establishes a feeling of the Thriller genre by including fast-paced piano keys which add to the mysterious mood as well. Finally, the chase to the ally way adds to the Thriller genre because it heightens the audience's anticipation to see what is going to happen in the isolated location.

 5. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

Some strategies that are used to ensure Joker appeals to its target audience of young adults and mature adults include using cigarettes, suits, and varied shoes as props and costumes. Things like cigarettes appeal to an older audience, and the difference in shoe brands and suits is also to be noticed by adult audiences. Another strategy used to appeal to these audiences includes using work problems such as low pay, unhappiness, and traffic, which older adults can relate to in their personal life. The last strategy used to appeal to these audiences includes using slower, gloomier music which adds a depressing mood that is meant to be taken in and understood by these adults.

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

Technology such as camera angles has been used effectively because the use of close-ups helps capture the Joker's facial expression to distinguish his different moods. For example, in one scene he is grinning, but in the scene right after he is frowning, This closeup helps emphasize the Joker and his Bipolarness right from the beginning. Over-the-shoulder shots are also used to emphasize the Joker and the range of faces he makes as he puts his clown makeup on in the mirror. Another way technology such as transitions has been used effectively in this film is through fade-outs, so that these opening scenes can transition seamlessly, adding to the quiet and mysterious atmosphere. The last way technology such as editing techniques has been used effectively in this film is by editing the clips to flow smoothly between each other, the idea of time passing by in chronological order is made more realistic.