News Opening Sequence Analysis

This is a title sequence from ITV Evening news, from 2009.

During the majority of the opening sequence,  there are rushing graphics with pictures of what seems to be the latest news. This tells us that the team are getting the news to us quickly, showing the urgency of it.  At 0:29 seconds in the sequence, which is nearing the end, you can see a clock which seems to be from the face of Big Ben. Big Ben is a phallic symbol and this shows the power of the news. It is also a landmark which means people watching the news can relate to it, as the news is coming from a country they live in. Clocks that are used in an opening sequence, usually mean that they are showing us the news as it happens.  Straight after the clock is shown at the side, a cut out, transparent map is shown. By showing a map, it means they are covering news from all over the world, and by making this transparent, is showing a "window on the world" - seeing the world as it happens, maybe through their eyes/view(?)

As usual in most news opening sequences, there is a male voice over introducing the show and the news readers. Using a male voice shows power and seriousness. The voice from this particular news sequence sounds very low, and from an older male. Having an older male do the voice over shows maturity, wisdom and authority.
Adding to all this iconography is the beaty, fast-paced music which includes brass instruments. This adds to the fact they are trying to get news to us as quickly as possible. The brass adds importance, as this is usually used when making an important announcement.

Connotations of the newsreaders:

The newsreaders from this sequence follow many of the iconography of newsreaders. During the sequence, you see a lack of facial expression on the newsreaders. This is because they are not there to be of interest to us or give any personal slant, which is common in many newsreaders.

Both of the newsreaders are smartly dressed in suits. This connotes the seriousness and importance of the news, and it also reinforces the idea of no personal opinion. They fit with the idea that many of the male newsreaders are older, and the female newsreaders are younger. The male in the sequence seems to be in his late 40's/early 50's and the female seems to be in her 30's.The reason for this is, in our sexist culture, many believe age in men connotes wisdom and authority, but age in women connotes the loss of physical beauty.

When the female newsreader first speaks at the beginning of the opening sequence, we hear that she uses standard English and received pronunciation, which sets a neutral tone to the news. It also connotes the seriousness of the news as there is no emotion used while talking.

As we see at the beginning of beginning of the sequence, the female is looking down at the camera, which we read as a direct address and this emphasises importance. We also see the desk in which the male is sitting behind. Newsreaders are always, already on the set at the start which connnotes the urgency and importance. At the start the female is standing, which also connotes this.

Mise-en-scene of the studio:

As usual, the newsreaders are already on set behind a big desk. The only part of the studio you see is the desk and the studio lights, which to me look like computer graphics. The rest seems green-screened which means using technology. This shows they are using every means to get the news to us.