Basic Course Intro

Foundation Portfolio in Media


(From OCR Specification)
The purpose of this unit is firstly to assess candidates’ ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills (AO3); secondly to assess candidates’ application of knowledge and understanding in evaluating their own work, showing how meanings and responses are created (AO2); and finally to assess candidates’ ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research (AO4). The unit requires candidates to engage with contemporary media technologies, giving them the opportunity for development of skills in these technologies.


This is a coursework unit, internally assessed and externally moderated. Candidates produce a media artefact in response to briefs set by OCR plus some appropriate evidence of research and planning. The task provides progression from a pre-production, preliminary exercise to a more fully realised piece in the same medium. This offers the opportunity for skills development to be assessed, as well as a final finished piece.


From this introduction, I know that I need to produce a piece of work (title sequence) that shows my knowledge and understanding of media and it's modern technologies. I will need to create a meaning in my work and show that I know what my intentions are, and then be able to evaluate this. This coursework will help expand my skills within media and my creative ideas.


For my coursework i'll be creating a title sequence for a film that I will create. During the process, I will be making several blog posts explaining research and the process which will lead up too my final sequence. This includes: Research into genre, other films, other title sequences, storyboards etc. STINCS
S- Setting- where it will be filmed
T- Themes- what ideas run through
I- Iconography- images and symbols used which we'll associate with the film
N- Narrative- The storyline, the plot
C- Characters- Who will be the main focus, protagonist and and antagonist. How will they play an important part?
S- Style- The use of cinematography, mise-en-scene, props, sound, editing, how this helps keep the theme running consistently.


Creating an enigma- Another feature of Title Sequences is creating an enigma, something that leaves the audience thinking 'what is this about?' or 'what will be the result of this?'. This can be done by showing parts of the narrative without showing the whole picture.

Introduction to title sequences

A title sequence is usually a short clip played at the beginning of a film or TV show to introduce the title, cast & crew and key concepts of the film. As an introduction to title sequences we looked at Skyfall

By watching this title sequence I got an insight into what title sequences are, they're basic structure and why they're important. I can see from the Skyfall title sequence that it links to the narrative of the film and I can see who's starring. This is important as the audience can get a clearer picture before watching the film. Some title sequences also crate an enigma for the audience, leaving them to question what will happen next. The Se7en title sequence, by David Fincher, is said too have revolutionalized the conventions of title sequences, inspiring many more too come. I will do an analysis of Se7en in a separate post.

  History Of Title Sequences
Title Sequences can initially be found in silent movies where cards would be held up naming cast and crew and title. These were used to show the title and production company and were ale used to show the film had started and finished. Here's a screenshot from a 1932 film

However, over centuries, and due too technology advancing, title sequences now include animations and computer graphics, being a big feature towards the film.