1. The name of the film (the film title): How does it suggest the Thriller genre, connect with the audience, create interest or anticipation for the target audience?
When you hear the word ‘Argo’, nothing really comes to mind as it is not a common term. To an audience, this is useful for them not to get a sense of what the film will entail because it creates enigma which is a useful tool when creating a tense thriller film. However, in classical mythology, the ship Argo is the ship in which Jason sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece. If some member of the audience understands this reference, they then know that the film will involve a quest which is a good setup to a thriller film.2. Consider how the film title design might further communicate meaning to the audience about genre, meaning or story. (Colour, font, animation, size, background etc).
The title shot of this sequence is comparatively smaller to other thriller films. This could still be useful, however, because it requires the audience to look at it in more detail before they can read it clearly. This means that they will then appreciate the animation sequence that's just about to happen. Also, the use of the black and white colour scheme, like the other films that I have analysed is used because it is simple and easy for the audience to take in before the intense animation and film sequence to come.3. What institutional info is included?
The sequence starts with the animation of the Warner Bros logo with the black background which then gets larger and transitions into the second part of the logo with the red background. This part shows that Warner Bros is a division of the Timewarner company. This is useful to an audience because they are an influential production company and have a long experience in that field.
The second production company is GK Films, albeit lesser known is presented to the audience with their animated logo that flies onto the screen and positions itself in the centre. This institution is clearly less developed in comparison to Warner Bros as it hasn't become a household name like the above. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing for the audience to interpret because it is unlikely that Warner Bros would let them release a film that would besmirch their name. 
All of the above institutions are then repeated on the plain black background like the title shot. This then allows them to take it in if they got distracted by the animations.
What should also be noted is that a company called 'Smokehouse Productions' was noted in the black and white titles but they didn't provide an animation like Warner Bros and GK Films did. This suggests they were a lesser partner in the film but still provided a big enough service to be noted.
4. Is additional story info included - eg date or location of story? If so, why?
The entirety of the opening sequence is presented to the audience as animatic style comic book of making a film, with intercutting shots of footage that is relevant to the voiceover. This creative style allows for exposition to be given in a way that isn't as dull as reading information off a screen. In Argo's case, the first shot shows a drawing of a map and the non-diegetic voiceover says "This is the Persian Empire, known today as Iran". This is then clear to the audience where the film will be set and it is means that it wont be confusing to them at all.
The exposition continues with the date; towards the end of her dialogue, the voice over says "in 1979, the people of Iran overthrew the shah". After it's finished completely and there's a fade to black, the words "U.S. Embassy, Iran - November 4, 1979" fades in and then quickly off screen. This is useful because it provides the audience with a more specific location in Iran and a date. This then allows them to understand the actions that unfold.
Finally, this opening sequence explains the political history of Iran to the audience that isn't an expert on Middle Eastern politics. For example, the narrator explains that In 1950, the people of Iran elected Mohammad Mossadeqh, a secular democrat, as Prime Minister. He nationalised British and U.S. petroleum holdings, returning Iran's oil to it's people". When this happens, the audience can see file footage of the above (please note, the film doesn't normally include subtitles but this video of it did).5. Are actors included? How are they introduced in the title sequence?
There is no actors included in this sequence, but instead they focus on the dialogue spoken by the voiceover and the footage provided that relates directly to it. This is a good technique because it means they don't get introduced to the protagonist or the antagonist which means that they have to explore the characters before they come to their own decision when the film's main scenes start. A understanding of the characters then makes it more relatable to the audience and contributes to a dramatic, memorable film.
6. For the sequence as a whole - consider the relationship between title and credit information and the background for that frame (onto black, a still image or moving image of the actual film). Suggest reasons for it being effective as part of the Thriller opening.
Overall, as the only titling is white writing on black canvass, the simplicity of it allows the audience to focus on the exposition and the very limited amount of written information so that they don't get baffled at what could be a potentially confusing political movie. Also, as the titles don't move, it isn't confusing which allows for the audience to focus. This concentration is then needed for the audience to fully appreciate the movie as the plot becomes very confusing.
7. Is the sound diegetic or non diegetic - how is the title and credit sequence edited to the music? Are sound bridges used?
The soundtrack to this opening features a non-diegetic backing track featuring traditional Middle Eastern instruments and the non-diegetic voiceover that gives the exposition. It also features sound clips of a prayer call and the wind. These sounds are closely associated with the Middle East and this is conveyed to the audience, which works well with the location information given above.
Sound bridges are also used. When the soundtrack starts to climax in terms of volume, the noise of an angry crowd, which is shown to the audience in this screenshot previously, flows into the last shots (the location and date shots). This is a perfect use because it cuts to a shot of another group of protesters who are burning an American flag after the opening credits have finished.
8. Study carefully the relationship between moving image segments of the film (the start of the plot) and the introduction of titles. What is the order in which they are introduced? Why do you think this is?
I feel that because there are titles before and after the first section of footage is introduced to the audience, there is a nice 'sandwich' of information for the audience that won't overwhelm them. I feel that this is done to make the audience understand the complex plot because it would be very difficult to watch without any basic level of prior knowledge. This is done in such a way that the audience can watch and appreciate the film without feeling out of their depth and can't appreciate the thriller.
Excellent Sam and an interesting choice
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