Title Research: Heathers

 How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? Which Ones?

Throughout the title sequence of this film, there is a total of twenty-three titles displayed. It began with main production company's tag and title. This company being New World Pictures. Then in introduced the accompanying company stating, “New World Pictures in association with Cinimarque Entertainment (USA) LTD presents.” It then to goes on to show the names of the actors who play the two main characters, Veronica and JD. Veronica being played by none other than famous actress Wynona Rider. It then displays the title of the film, “Heathers.” Next was the actresses who play the three Heathers. Next is the other main actors, totaling five more people. They then name the two people responsible for casting. Next is the associate producer, then executive producer. After that is the costume designer and production designer. Next is who the music is by, then the editor. Lastly is the director of photography. All together that is twenty-three titles. 

What connotations do the images carry?

The movie starts off very innocent. The Heathers sitting and drinking their tea very civilized gives off a posh, superior vibe to them. They go on to continue this superior vibe when they step not over but on the little garden that surrounds the sitting area. It gives a lighthearted, poised lens to the film as they play croquet, showing bright colors and controlled action. But when we are shown Veronica’s head in the ground being hit with one of the croquet balls by one of the Heathers, we are shown that this movie is more sinister then we were first lead to believe, cadencing into what seems like a sweet movie about three sophisticated teenage girls into something a lot darker. 

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

Showing the Heathers, these three girls who are very well put together reenforce the teenage aspect of a coming-of-age film. But seeing Veronica’s head sticking out provides the introduction of angst usually found in movies of this genre. The transition between these two ideas sets up to introduce the genre in a way that also caters to the story line of the film. What starts out innocent and unsuspecting can be turned into something much worse.

What conventions are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience.

The close up in the first shot the main Heather putting up her hair behind the title of the movie introduces our first character and makes the audience interested in who this first girl is, even if we can’t see her face. This grabs the attention of the target audience, that being of teenagers and young adults, by showing a young teenage girl, whom they might come to relate to throughout the film. Then the fade out and into the next shot of the three girls introduces us to them for the first time and gives us the sense that these will be the main characters of the of the film regardless of if that is actually true, considering we wouldn’t know otherwise if this is our first time watching the film. It continues to show characters that those who are watching want to pay attention to. The close up of the girls stepping on the roses emphasizes they’re superiority and lack of regard to anything besides themselves, which makes the audience want to know more about their dismissal of care. The music playing in the background reiterates the feeling of soft innocence provided by the scenery giving the audience a false sense of security luring them in. the costumes show this young audience colorful clothing that—although most would not wear themselves—are stylish in a way only these characters seem to know how to pull off. The dialogue between the three Heathers gives us incite on the title and more information on these seemingly graceful girls. Lastly the acting between the Heathers and their joy after hitting Veronica as opposed to her displeasure shows the classic mean girl angst of antagonizing others which many of our audience can relate to.