Title Research: Lady Bird

 Found on Art of the Title 

What titles are displayed during the opening sequences?

 In the opening title for Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird, the first credit we see is for the film studios that produced it A24 and IAC. Shortly after this, we see the title of the film in the center of the screen, written in a medieval calligraphy style font. After the title is shown, the credits for the actors are displayed on the bottom of the screen in a much similar font, it should be noted that these credits do not specify what character the actor is playing. The credits for the production team are shown last in the title sequence, with the final 3 titles of the opening reserved for the producers, and the writer/director. 

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

The opening sequence shows us what the titular Lady Bird would see on an average day in her catholic high school. We see fellow students, religious iconography, teachers, and an assembly. 

What connotations do these images carry? 

The images that are prioritized in the sequence connote common ideas about highschool, specifically catholic high school very well. None of the settings feel very polished, giving the title sequence a realistic, almost nostalgic feeling. There is also a slight feeling of anxiety in the scenes, as we hear about plans for the future, some more philosophical, like in the sermon, and some more literal like in the teacher's speeches. 

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

Lady Bird's drama largely comes from how uncomfortably raw and real it feels. This title helps to set that tone perfectly. The awkward chapel and the fact that the characters rarely smile are some ways this tone is established.  

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

Lady Bird's target audience is current teenagers and adults who came of age in the early 2000s. In order to appeal to this demographic, the film does not try to glamourize the highschool experience, as has been done in other films, but rather shows all of the awkward, weird, and uncomfortable parts of adolescence. The film is attempting to win over its audience not through glamor or spectacle, but through its relatable characters and situations. 

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

 I believe that technology has been used effectively in this scene. The director used lots of wide and long shots in order to show the audience the locations and characters in full view. Occasionally we will see a close-up of an important character, allowing us to see who they are early on. Transitions are not particularly elaborate, quickly cutting from one setting to another, sometimes with overlapping dialogue. However, this fits the tone of the film, as the film is quite simple. A common editing technique used in the opening sequence is eyeline match, when Lady Bird looks at an important piece of the setting, like the crucifix or the paper 9/11 memorial the camera will cut towards her. This serves as a way to draw the viewer's eye to a particular object.