rajt ma rajtx title sequence documentation of work
erika buttigieg
A process book which documents the step by step work flow in creating a new title sequence for the paranormal documentary drama “Rajt ma Rajtx.” This project was part of the B.A (Hons) in Graphic Design and Interactive Media dissertation’s criteria and completed by Erika Buttigieg.
Part of my dissertation’s criteria required me to create a corresponding visual project. My idea of the visual project inclined towards the possibility of collaborating with a local production. I got in touch with Sharp Shoot Media, one of Malta’s leading production houses, and expressed my intentions in wanting to collaborate with them in order to design a title sequence for their show, “Rajt ma Rajtx” as part of my dissertation.
collaboration As a degree student in Graphic Design and Interactive Media, I opted to base my dissertation on title sequences for film and television. During my research I explored how motion graphics in title sequences could aid in setting the audience in the right mood. I also looked into how they could even foreshadow what they are about to watch.
A meeting was set up between the show’s directors, Justin Farrugia and Steven Dalli, in order to talk over this collaboration. They were more than willing to help me out. We discussed any requirements and limitations as they encouraged me to use any preferred visual style, typeface and music. They were also willing to pass me over some of their footage in order to get a better idea of what the show is about. I was allowed to use any footage from the show itself and even add my own when designing the title sequence.
Few days after the meeting, I was given 12 episodes from the show. This allowed me to fully analyse the footage. I did so by watching each episode and marking any scenes which I found visually appealing or possibly useful during the upcoming editing stage. For every episode, I kept taking notes of what it was about. By the end of the 12th episode, I was able to draw out the recurring themes of the show.
Analysing Concept 1
For this concept I also combined still photography and stock footage for the ouija board and candle scene. The scene with the close up fearful eyes was shot particularly for this title sequence itself. Once the montage was put together, I continued to edit the video by colour grading the footage. I wanted all the footage to have a consistent look. One which gives off a sense of horror, since it is one of the show’s theme. I was aiming towards a cold look with contrasting hints of warm colours in a few scenes.
Concept 1 video editing At this stage, I started working on the first concept for the “Rajt ma Rajtx” title sequence. This concept was a montage of scenes from the show itself which did not necessary indicate or spoil the show but rather hint what could be happening in the episodes.
The typography used was animated in a way that blurs in and out to represent the ghostlike element of the show.
Once the visuals were complete, it was time to move on the next stage and design the sound for the title sequence. I met with sound designer and music composer, Elvio Cauchi. He was the man responsible in creating the sound for this title sequence. However, we worked together in choosing the adequate sounds to compliment the visuals. We used Sonar by Cakewalk as the prime audio editor. We started off by going through a list of preset sounds and beats, and listing them down if they sounded applicable. However, eventually we had to choose the most suitable ones.
sound design
The melody created, features sounds from various instruments. Such instruments including the synthesizer, the thumb piano, church organ, bells and chimes. Sound was also enhanced with certain sound effects and foley sounds. The music is also accompanied by a child’s voice reciting lyrics from a slow rhythmic Maltese song. The voice was recorded in Cauchi’s own personal studio. This particular Maltese song is associated with a traditional game, where one player is blindfolded and has to guess who out of the other players is tapping him. These lyrics were used as a metaphor for the characters in the show who are trying to figure out what is causing the unnatural events they are witnessing.
concept by revising the recurring themes of the show once again. I established that the most evident themes of the show included Maltese culture, ghosts and religion. Therefore, I wanted to focus on those themes more in the new concept.
Concept 2 Analysing Upon finalizing this concept, it was analysed bearing in mind the pointed out research from this dissertation. However, it appeared that the project was not complimenting the study very well. Therefore, due to lack of graphics, narrative and personal input, the first concept was discarded. Immediately, I started working on a new
Sequentially, I also looked into already existing title sequences. I have done this multiple times before, however, this time I made sure to set up a moodboard and identify what makes them so spectacular. I was highly inspired by works of Kyle Cooper in Se7en, The Walking Dead and American Horror Story. I was also inspired by True Blood’s and Six Feet Under’s title sequences. While analysing the “Rajt ma Rajtx” episodes and the other title sequences, I jotted down brainstorming ideas and notes as possible scenes and effects which I could include in the new concept. I also wanted to upgrade the sequence by having at least one scene that changes from one episode to an other. Nonetheless, I was quite confident with the work done on the music for the title sequence, so only a few changes were made to it.
filming This time round, I created a photographic storyboard to help me get a clear idea of direction in order to enhance the narrative aspect of the title sequence. I filmed in an old, unused, typical Maltese house in the heart of Hamrun. I followed closely the storyboard when filming, however I did replace a few props and scenes.
Scene 1: a shot of a traditional Maltese balcony. This indicates that the show is set in Malta. Scene 2 & 3: a shot of a man on his knees, immediately followed by a close up of a cross. This gives the audience an indication that religion plays a part in the show. Scene 4: the burning photograph features what seems to be a very old family picture. This represents the fact that the now deceased are the ones responsible for the unnatural incidents occurring.
Concept 2 video editing For this sequence, I filmed the majority of the footage myself and used only one scene from the show’s footage. I worked with still photography for a few scenes and included 2D animation video effects in others. The new montage was put together and edited in a quite similar manner as the previous one in terms of colour grading, as I found that the tone of colours suited the mood.
Scene 5: the door is opening on its own. This exhilarates suspense and the possibility of supernatural activity. Scene 6: the shot of a smirking statue, with a dark shadow hovering over it, adds to the unnatural events that will occur during the show. Scene 7: a drawer opening on its own. Once again, this gives off a feeling that there is an invisible power in the surroundings. Scene 8: the unplugged television switches on by itself, as it features a shot which hints what is to come in that particular episode.
The typeface and its animation differed slightly from the previous concept. For this concept I used a condensed bold sans serif font. The typeface in itself gives off a distress feel with its grunge design, however, yet it is still legible. To further engage the audience with the presence of unexpected abnormality, I animated the typography. Instead of having all the words fading in and out, like I did in the first concept, I worked with a technique in which some of the letters are given life by suddenly appearing and disappearing. Where suitable, the typography is also texturized with VHS scratches and old television jagged lines. This ties in well with the ever changing scene at the end of the title sequence, as it is shown within an old television screen. The same typographic techniques were repeated during the end credits. Which was the final step in order to finalize and deliver a good packaged visual product.