Title research: Austin Powers

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
There was a total of 18 titles in the opening sequence to the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. I watched the beginning sequence off of a website called artofthetitle.com The beginning sequence was a total of four minutes and ten seconds. These included the title of the movie along with who casted the people for the film, and who picked out the movie, ect.

What images were prioritized in the opening sequence?
 The whole beginning sequence was based around girls going crazy over Austin Powers. The opening scene starts with him walking down the street in London, England. Everyone is wearing crazy 80's clothing and they begin to dance. Austin proceeds to walk down the street while a big crowd of girls begin to form. He starts running shortly after this, trying to get away from them. He finds various disguises to conceal himself from the mob of women.

What connotations do the images carry?
The meaning of the opening sequence being the way it is which is women chasing him is to set up a basic knowledge of him for the rest of the movie. It shows that he's irresistible to some and that he's famous.

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
The genre is comedy for the Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movie. Genre is reinforced through symbolic codes because it it shows in the beginning that the movie is going to be funny and light-hearted. The women chasing him is never serious, as he's always smiling throughout the time.
Every time he tries to disguise himself it's always in a comedic way, it's never scary or serious.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to it's target audience?
 The target audience for the movie is anyone from ages 13 through 50.  It's anyone that wants a good laugh but also likes crime involved as well. So the director keeps the theme of comedy throughout the film by adding funny gestures and dialogue throughout the film.

How has technology been used effectively?
Technology has been used effectively by using a variety of it that will enhance the theme of comedy.