K A I T L I N Q U I C K

MEMO

November 14, 2010

To: Hania Musiol
From: Kaitlin Quick
RE: Unit 4 Prospectus

I am writing a review of the title sequence for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. I will take into account the
critiques it has already received, but make an argument as to why the “flaws” the other critics see are
actually what make this sequence successful. The company who produced the title sequence, Imaginary
Forces, has produced many critically acclaimed title sequences, and much of the critiques this particular
sequence has been enduring seem to, in my opinion, stem from a preconceived notion that a different
firm, Digital Kitchen, should have been chosen to produce the titles. Thus, creating a less than welcoming
audience no matter the visual success or failure of the title sequence itself. I plan to attempt to break
through the negative attitude many motion designers and enthusiasts have about this title sequence by
addressing this unspoken prejudice, and presenting a shot by shot breakdown and review what I see as a
successful title sequence. This review will be written, and intended for an industry blog called Art of the
Title. This site posts and celebrates successful title sequences, and often times has interviews or articles
about the sequences that have been publicly praised by others or won awards. I plan to use the other
reviews on this title sequence to enhance my argument about the preconceived notions. I also plan to use
stills from the sequence within my review as visual examples. I will be using the same style of
documentation as the site I would publish this review to. They simply list the sources/credits at the end of
the post.

A N N O TAT E D B I B L I O G R A P H Y

• Ulloa, Alexander, and Angel Tagudin.Art of the Title. Web.11 Nov. 2010.<http://www.artofthetitle.com/>.
a) This is the website my review would be published on.
b) Art of the Title is a respected industry blog. It’s gotten press attention from publications like The
Boston Globe, and is featured as a link on many other industry sites/blogs. This site often offers
interviews with those who created the sequences they showcase, so much of the information is
straight from the source, the creator.
c) I’ll use this site as a template for writing my article. I’ll format it visually as they do, and not exceed
the length of their longest articles.

• Boardwalk Empire. Dir. Karin Fong and Michelle Dougherty. Perf. Steve Buscemi. Http://
www.imaginaryforces.com/, 2010. Title Sequence.
a) This is the title sequence I am reviewing. This clip can be found on the website of the company
that created it.
b) This is a copy-written title sequence by an Emmy award winning production company.
c) I will use this clip, and stills from this title sequence in my review.
 PA G E 2

• Lori, Brandon. "Imaginary Forces: Main Title for “Boardwalk Empire” | Motionographer | Digital
Filmmaking, Animation, Motion Graphics, Design, Film, Visual Effects and Experimental Moving Image
Storytelling." Motionographer | Sharing the Best in Motion Graphics, Design, Animation, Filmmaking
and Visual Effects. 30 Sept. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://motionographer.com/2010/09/30/
imaginary-forces-main-title-for-boardwalk-empire/#comments>.
a) This article is merely presenting the work of imaginary forces, the Boardwalk Empire title sequence
in particular. Many have commented with their opinions on the sequence.
b) This is an industry blog that only showcases the best work. Everyone in the motion graphics
industry keeps up with Motionographer. Those commenting on the post are people who work in the
industry, or my target audience.
c) I plan to make an argument that Motionographer has strict standards as to what gets posted on
their site, so if this title sequence is really as bad as everyone is making it out to be why would
Motionographer choose to endorse it. I also plan to use the opinions of those who have commented
on the post as examples of my target audience.

• Apter, Simon M. "In 'Boardwalk Empire,' An All-Too-Real World." The Nation. 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 11
Nov. 2010. <http://www.thenation.com/article/155139/boardwalk-empire-all-too-real-world>.
a) This article is a review of the show Boardwalk Empire including a less than glowing review of the
title sequence.
b) The Nation is the oldest continuously published magazine in the US. Not only is the publication
reputable, but the author is widely and frequently published.
c) I plan to respond to the articles critiques of the title sequence, specifically referring to it as
“overindulgent.”

• Iep, Ralph. "Comaparing Main Titles Sequences Dexter and Boardwalk Empire | Suspended Blog."
Suspended. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://suspended.tv/blog/2010/10/18/comparing-titles-boardwalk-
empire-v-dexter/>.
a) This is a comparison between the title sequences for Dexter and Boardwalk Empire. The author
attempts to highlight the flaws of the later by comparing it to the widely acclaimed title sequence for
the show Dexter.
b) This is simply an opinion piece, but in conjunction with the other opinion pieces on the subject
seems to be a popular opinion.
c) I plan to respond to the articles critiques, by turning them on their head. What he views as cheesy
I find to be appropriately over the top.

• Gilbert, Matthew. "'Boardwalk' Opener - Viewer Discretion." Boston.com. 26 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 Nov.
2010. <http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/blog/2010/10/iim_really_lovi.html>.
a) This is an article on boston.com that showcases a conflicted review. The author seems to want to
like it, but also regurgitates the same critiques as every other review without question.
b) Boston.com is a reputable source and Gilbert Matthew has been a TV critic for the Globe since
1998.
c) I plan to point out Gilbert’s reluctance to write this title sequence off as bad to support my
argument/review of the sequence.

• Poniewozik, James. "Review of Boardwalk Empire, Home - Tuned In - TIME.com." Tuned In - A Blog
about Television by TIME’s TV Critic James Poniewozik. - TIME.com. 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
<http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/01/boardwalk-empire-watch-the-persistence-of-memory/>
 PA G E 3

a) This is an overall review of the show Boardwalk Empire. It begins with a nod to the title sequence.
He remarks that the comparison to Magritte many have been using as a negative point can actually
be seen as a positive. He draws direct connections between Magritte and the Surrealist style with
the time period the show is set in
b) This blog is linked with TIME.com, and written by TIME’s TV critic James Poniewozik. Poniewozik
has been writing for TIME since 1999.
c) I will use his logical connections between surrealism and Magritte to the 1920’s era to support my
argument that the title sequence is in fact successful.

• Wymer, Bryce. "Boardwalk Empire Open Titles "Digital Kitchen"" Bryce Wymers Blog. 22 Sept. 2010.
Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://brycewymer.blogspot.com/2010/09/boardwalk-empire-digital-
kitchen.html>
a) This is the concept art Digital Kitchen pitched for the Boardwalk Empire title sequence gig.
b) This blog is written by one of the Creative Directors at Digital Kitchen.
c) I will draw comparisons to this concept art and the title sequence produced by imaginary forces.