September 16, 2009

CableFAX 2009 Program Awards: Best Opening Sequence

WINNER: DARK PATH CHRONICLES, FEARNET

Cross horror film classic Pet Sematary with music videos, like those for Madonna’s Material Girl and Like a Virgin, and you have an idea of the opening sequence for Dark Path Chronicles. It’s like a dream, a nightmare possibly, composed of blazing fast clips, in black and white, of tunnels, smoke and people (some with fangs) over heavy metal rock. Perfect to introduce a series about the dark, distorted parallel reality known as the Dark Path. And there’s a link between Pet Sematary and those Maddona vids. Mary Lambert directed both. She also directed and wrote Dark Path Chronicles.

Honorable Mentions:

Phineas & Ferb, Disney Channel: A catchy tune frames the stepbrothers’ summer activities — from "building a rocket" to "locating Frankenstein’s brain." The Emmy-nominated series was the #1 prime time animated show for 6-10s and 9-14s.

Sonny With a Chance, Disney Channel: Since Sonny (Demi Lovato) is in a sketch comedy series for teens, each opening features skits, which are usually funny in a clean Disney way (lots of sight gags). Nothing sketchy about Sonny’s 1st season ratings. It was the #1 scripted series for 9-14s (1.6mln/6.4 rating).

The Locator, WE tv: Troy Dunn’s intro usually involves a person trying to find a lost relative (cue the mysterious-sounding music). "You can’t find peace until you’ve found all the pieces," he says. Amen.

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