Analysing title sequences

This is a screenshot of a website I found which shows small shots of title sequences and what they use for them, it shows that most title sequences are just random shots which dont always relate to much to the film but still make it understandable. I quite like the first shot with the name of the film and the darkened figure as it looks mysterious this would be a good opening that we could use as it look creepy and thriller like. This is also another shot which shows the titles sequence of the director, photographs, costumes and title of the film, this looks quite professional and has a good effect with the fonts, we will take into consideration lots of different title sequences before we begin to make ours as it will be good to have a range of variables to compare to.

Se7en
The title sequence for Se7en uses many different techniques to make the audience feel the suspense, tension and mystery. The director, David Fincher, used sounds, editing and images to allow the audience to feel uneasy and to make them question how the narrative will follow on

after the title sequence. The title sequence is made up of a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds; the drum beat and rewinding tape are both diegetic and the robotic noises are nondiegetic, There is a constant drumbeat throughout the first minute of the clip; one might suggest that this beat is symbolic of a heartbeat the audience may feel that the tension has been increased as the pace 'heartbeat' has increased - suggesting panic. Sound is also used effectively when one can hear the tape rewinding backwards. This sound gives the audience the impression that someone is being recorded/monitored which is quite disturbing. Additionally, this fits in with one of the typical genre conventions of being watched/followed because to record someone the criminal would have to follow them. The editing in the title sequence of Se7en may mirrors the possible state of mind that the criminal has as it keeps jumping around and jump cuts are used this could demonstrate that the criminal is in his element and he has planned what to do. Mystery is built is by one hand being in the light area and one hand being in the dark area (as seen to the left). This could be a sign that the criminal has two sides to him. the camera is looking down on the crooked hands; suggesting that these hands are not that of the criminal because they are below him, therefore whoever's they are is seen to be of a lower status than him in his opinion. The image of the blade symbolises danger and thus builds tension by representing the criminal as a dangerous figure. The fact that you can analyse and begin to think about what the film is about from only the title credit sequence shows that we need to put a lot of thought into our title sequence and have it relate to our film and what may be happening later on, by using a main actor from our thriller in the title sequence would be a good idea as it allows the audience to know that maybe they are a bit strange and the villain before the thriller even begins.