RESEARCH: ART OF THE TITLE: CREED

 

RESEARCH: ART OF THE TITLE: CREED

Creed is a well known British Sports/Drama film directed by Ryan Coogler. The film is based on the challenging journey of Adonis Johnson (Creed), the son of heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. As he tries to for fill his farther footsteps as a boxer. Within the film we also get to witness the mentorship from, the iconic face, Rocky Balboa.

I chose to analyse this film opening because it allows me emerge into the world of boxing and life of athletes. As well as inspires and personally connects to my sporting passion. This done through the use of powerful visual style. Within the film opening we get to see a collection of still visuals. This helps to enhance the genre of a modern Sports/ Drama film as for the audience getting to witness the hard and gritty side which an athlete of a combat sport, such as boxing, has to face.

The first thing we see is a close up shot of the a young boy with scratch on his face, who we soon realise is Creed as a child. This establishing shot instantly creates a sense of realism and concern. The establishing shot of young Creed is followed by a visual of older creed wrapping his hands preparing for a boxing match in a boxing environment. From this it suggests to the viewer that the film is primarily based within boxing surroundings and based around Creeds lifestyle. The scenes of both young and older Creed are zoomed in and slowed, which is effective in making  him the clear protagonist as we join him through his boxing journey. As well as this, there is minimal diegetic sound, apart from the added wrapping sound put over the top of the visual of him in an isolated gym wrapping his hands. This is effective as helps build an aspect of suspense and competitivity, because the minimal sound drawing our attention to the nervous energy within the scene. This pulls the audience further into the boxing society as we feel emotionally connected to the opening. 

 

The film opening is further developed and explored through the contrasting colour palette in each visual. As it is constantly switching from murky dark tones of grey and brown infer realism onto the audience which emphasises the risk and loss in sport. Contrasting to the brighter more vibrant shots in energetic colours which mirrors victory and success inside boxing.

Furthermore, we can notice that the title sequence has purposely been made from a collage of still images. The images are low opacity and overlap each other as well as fade in and out. Consequently, giving the title sequence a mysterious effect reflecting both sides which comes with boxing as emotions are on edge. The images continually become slightly more blurred deliberately making the picture look more unfocused. Linking to an athletes fatigue and tiredness while competing in sport. Therefore, this makes the audience feel more emerged and part of the film, as if we are boxing ourselves. Equally, it also creates a manic and busy feeling as everything is happening at once. Making the audience feel panicked and emotionally involved. In addition to this, many of the the camera shot are from the point of view of Creed or a spectator, this will once again make the audience feel more involved and personally connected to the film opening. This will make them  have increasing anticipation and excited about watching the film. The POV perspective also gives us an insight into Creeds journey and character; meaning we can appreciate his challenges and upcoming to becoming the best boxer. Overall, it helped influence us as the audience to becoming supporting and relating to Creed. 

  

The audio codes in this title sequence consists of diegetic sound which is motivational, upbeat music .It is effective in creating a sense of meaning and motivation this is achieved through the upbeat tune and quick rhythm of the music because the quick cut editing.  More importantly the beat matches the pace of the changing collage still visual sequence, this results in the opening feeling faster and exciting.