An Analysis of Edward Scissorshands’ Title SequenceElleah Stanton

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Audience and Representations Edward Scissorhands is aimed at the younger generation as it

contains fantasy and extremely fictional ideas. However another audience of this film is teenage girls aging from 14-18 approximately.

The title sequence appeals to the younger generation by including shots of snow as children stereotypically enjoy this weather. It also plays a soft classical song with choir sounding voices which connotes fantasy and alerts the audience that what they will be watching will be a stereotypically family friendly film.

As for the representations, there are not any social groups that are presented in the title sequence. However the film represents youths in both a positive and a negative way. It shows the typical high school ‘jock’ in a negative light however it shows the soft female character in a positive light to be more understanding and willing.

First the distributer logo is shown, a bespoke studio ident is used as there is snow falling in front of the well-known 20th Century Fox logo. The colour has also been changed to a deep blue. This change in the logo gives the audience a slight thrill as it is a stretch from the norm which excites the viewer, especially the younger audience. The shot of the logo then fades to a black screen for a few seconds

Next is a pan/downward tilt shot of some peculiar concrete stairs that appear to be leading to a wooden, medieval door with a large black door knob. This would first suggest that the film was a period drama as the wooden door is iconographic of medieval Britain. However after watching the film we know that this is not the case, as it is set in a modern-looking and perfect village. Therefore this gloomy looking location signifies that there will be a darker theme within the fantastical and family-friendly atmosphere.It is symbolic of the way Scissorhands hid away from the world, held captive by his own conscience.

With regards to the credit shown here, the director is credited very early on. Usually the name of the director is placed at the very end of the title sequence. They have decided to put his name first as he is a very well-known director and is known to specialise in weird fantasy films. It prepares the audience for an idea that they have probably not come across before.

The Film TitleThe Film TitleThen, the title of the film appears on the screen. It is a white text against a black background. The text looks quite dramatic and poignant as it is long and bold, which reflects the fantasy-style nature of the film.The two words then begin to move outwards as if they are a pair of scissors. This is cleverly done by the creators to resemble the characters name. This then lets the viewer know that his name literally represents him. The idea that there is a character with scissors for hands is iconographic of fantasy, and certainly Tim Burton. Next appears another pan shot of a gargoyle that is

covered in cob-webs. Cob-webs are iconographic of the stereotypical ghouls and haunted mansions and therefore signifies, again, that there is a darker tone to the film.

Regarding the credit shown here, Johnny Depp is well-known for appearing in Tim Burton’s films. He is also a very large Hollywood actor and the big-brand name intrigues an audience of many. His name is also placed first because he plays the main character.

The fact that Johnny’s character is tormented by his fears of the outside world is reflected in this shot. The threatening look of the gargoyle symbolises Scissorhands’ past and conscience forever being stuck with him. This then shows that his character could be shy and an introvert.

A point-of-view/ tracking shot of a concrete stairway s then shown. This use of camera movement makes the audience feel intrusive, as if they are walking up the stairs to an unknown residency. This lets the viewer know that they could be following the character’s life in the film, and that they will be getting an insight into his emotions.

Furthermore, cob-webs are shown on the railings of the stairs, which symbolises Edward’s loneliness and banishment from reality. The viewer then knowns that they will be looking into the mind of a character that is fragile to the outside world and is maybe scared/ apprehensive of leaving his self-given prison.

The audience is then given their first glimpse at the more fantasy-style tone of the film. A strange mechanical device in a tilt/pan shot that is moving downwards is shown, then comes a pair of giant scissors. This then suggests that there is some experimentation or mechanics involved with the film. Putting two and two together the audience can see that the scissors link to Edward Scissorhands and that he could possibly be the result of a mechanical experiment.

Another downwards tracking shot is used to show a steampunk-esque piece of equipment, extending the experimental idea from the previous shot. Then an actor is credited, however this time the words ‘as the inventor’ are used. These words then confirm the viewers thoughts on the mechanical experimentation as the word ‘inventor’ suggests a man who has been testing and conjuring up a product.

The following shot is a shot of a steampunk production line, with machines stomping down onto a presumed conveyor belt.

Then a shot of a odd looking piece of machinery is shown which slightly resembles a face. The credits then appear for the producer of the special make-up and scissorhands effects. This credit has been used on this shot because it links directly to the character, like the shot of the machinery does.

A pair of hands are shown using an outward zoom. They look as though they have been prepared ready to be given to the creation the inventor had made. However the following shot is another outward zoom of a picture of a old man who appears to be dead. The audience assumes this is the inventor and therefore provides the narrative. The fact the hands have been left untouched and that there is a dead man resembling an inventor suggests that the creation was left unfinished or unperfected, leaving Edward with scissors for hands.

The title sequence, therefore, provides a slight insight into the events before the main character was around and acts as a piece of the narrative puzzle.

My Project I am aware that this film does not fall under the

category of thriller. However I decided to analyse it because I liked the camerawork and wanted to adapt them into parts of my project.

The way the shots have been darkened and tinted blue also caught my eye as this idea could be used for a thriller film title sequence.

My Project I am aware that this film does not fall under the

category of thriller. However I decided to analyse it because I liked the camerawork and wanted to adapt them into parts of my project.

The way the shots have been darkened and tinted blue also caught my eye as this idea could be used for a thriller film title sequence.