Looking at title sequences

In thinking for the future, I've decided to take a look at some title sequences and how they correlate to the theme of the films or tv programmes. While these examples are of not films, they show the same techniques that film title sequences have.



From the american SHOWTIME programme Dexter. This title sequence is a perfect example of how a title sequence can tell the audience everything they need to know. Without watching it before, some may think this is the daily routine of the eponymous character, but after watching it you'll understand the themes shown. The premise of the show is that Dexter is a serial killer who kills other killers who have escaped the legal system. In knowing this, the audience can see correlations of the title sequence to actions of killers. The cooking and eating of meat as mutilation of bodies, the splattering of ketchup relating to blood, tying shoelaces wrapped tightly around his hands as in strangling. Many of the actions shown in the title sequence would look normal without knowing the programme, but it is a perfect title sequence as it tells the audience everything they need to know about the programme in hindsight.



The next title sequence is from HBO's True Blood. While this title sequence isn't as directly linked to the programme like Dexter's, it definitely gives a feeling and sense of what the programme is about. The title sequence shows a mix of religious images and scenery to tell the audience it's set in a southern state of America. The programme is about vampires being a reality and are revealed to the public and the media, some "mainstreaming" which means becoming an integral part of society, while some are revered as what they are. There is constant friction between the vampires, the media, society and religion. Which is why there's an apparent religious theme, especially set in Louisiana, mixed with sexual images relating to the hedonism of vampires.