analyse 2 film title sequences.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) — Art of the Title

The girl with the dragon tattoo, had a really effective title sequence and fulfilled the main purpose of a title sequence.  A very dark background was used, which sets the dark tone of the movie and suggests the genre (thriller/horror).  Most title sequences show a setting, or more than one setting, this title sequence showed no setting, which further emphasises the darkness of the movies tone.  The lack of setting in the title sequence also suggests the movie is not really that adventures, and it is based around one point.  During the title sequence a faded picture of a keyboard is shown, on top of that, several pictures of wires are shown.  This suggests the movie has a more technical side to it as well as a dark side, it also suggests the movie is based around an investigation.  Investigation movies are usually "mystery" based movies.  So the title sequence suggests the genre (mystery), sets the tone (very dark), and it suggests a key concept in the movie (investigation).  It does not give away anything about what the investigation is about, or who is the investigator is.  Therefore, it doesn't give away too much about the movie itself, and the events that occur in the movie, and this is what a good title sequence is supposed to do.

There is a downside to the way the title sequence is presented.  The fact that there is no setting in the title sequence, suggests the lack of adventure in the movie, it may even suggest the movie is based in one place or around one key event.  This definitely doesn't interest the audience and may even give a hint that the movie will be boring.   Also movies that set a dark tone usually have some scenes with a brighter tone.  The fact that the background is dark throughout the whole title sequence suggests the whole movie is dark toned, and this once again may disinterest the audience.

Gone Girl (2014) — Art of the Title

Another example of a good title sequence is "gone girl".  This movie uses title sequence over moving images.  The title sequence of this movie strongly suggests that the movie will be action related.  This is because the voice of the main character is heard saying "i picture cracking her lovely skull".  This suggests the aggression and the hatred between the husband and wife.  The soundtrack during the title sequence anchors the genre of the movie.  The music played is sustained, and a little bit quiet.  It is also really high pitched, which suggests drama/mystery.  A long shot of the ocean is shown, during this long shot, the lighting goes from dark, to bright.  The fact that the lighting goes from dark to light suggests that gradually, throughout the film, the mystery/misunderstanding will unravel.

The order in which the titles are presented is effective.  This is because the main actor and the director (David Fincher) have their name shown before the main title of the movie "Gone Girl".  David Fincher is a well known director, and is known for directing successful movies such as "seven" or "zodiac".  Someone who has watched one of David Fincher's movies before, and enjoyed it, will be excited to see his name written on the screen.  Similarly, Ben Affleck is well known for being credited in successfull mobies such as "argo" or "gone girl".  His name appearing early on in the title sequence is also effective because it intrigues the audience even more into watching the movie.

There are several cross cuts between different settings in the title sequence.  For example there is a cross cut from the ocean straight to a ordinary house.  The fact that the camera takes such a big jump from an ocean all the way to a house, 2 places which are in no way related, connotes some adventure in the movie.  Similairly to the "girl with the dragon tattoo", this title sequence also does what a title sequence is supposed to do.  It suggests the tone and genre of the movie (in this case it is with the soundtrack, suggesting dramatic tone/mystery).  It also doesnt give away too much about the movie itself, (in this case, it suggests Ben Affleck doesn't like his wife by saying he wants to crack her skull, but it does't tell us weather or not it was him who killed her).