3 Title Sequences Reviews

I will be reviewing 3 Title Sequences in the Thriller genre.

Psycho (1960) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Sequence made by Saul Bass

We are jumped into a set of grey lines moving across the screen. the sequence is also combined with the iconic non-diegetic sound of the film "Psycho" which are created by a variety of string instruments that are played in a sharp and fast paste tone to create tension and nerves throughout the sequence. As the grey lines go past the screen, the director name Alfred Hitchcock appears on screen in a white colour combined in a strong font in full caps. During the sequence there are no actors included. the whole colour of the sequence appears in white writing , black background and grey lines passing by. This creates a pressure of fear in the film as there being very limited colour in the film. The title name being "Psycho" creates the idea that the theme of the film is craziness and fear with madness. After 2 minutes the lines transition across to show a city in black and white to show the film plot is beginning.

Vertigo (1958) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Sequence made by Saul Bass

In the beginning very much like "Psycho" the sharp string music jumps in. However, instead of a black background we are viewed with an extreme close up of a woman's closed mouth. this gives the impression of the unknown and that unknown character may have a vital part in the entire film. After 3 seconds the camera begins to track up keeping in that extreme close up only this time to her eyes. judging by her emotion we can tell that she is showing very little emotion showing that she may suffering from something that the audience has not discovered yet. Again after 3 seconds the camera begins to zoom in further to her left eye again showing little emotion. All of the writing appears see through with a white outline of the words. Then suddenly the filter of the shot turns into a violent red with the colour showing that it may be trying to represent love, danger and violence. then shots begins to black fade and vertigo lines in different colours appear for brief seconds each been different with the start been pink then turning into blue which gives the idea the vertigo lines and colour can show the idea of madness and illness. Finally it transition back to the woman's eye and black fades to show the film.





Fargo (1996) Directed by Joel Coen Sequence made by  Balsmeyer & Everett, Inc.at the start of the sequence we are given a black background with white writing saying how the film is a true story. while this is happening, sad acoustic guitar music and piano is playing. It then white fades into what we see a long shot of a car moving forward through a blizzard. the music is still playing only this time a sad violin is added in. This shot lasts for 1 minute and 2 seconds till the car drives past to which follows the next shot. Which is transitioned by a fade to what appears black bold writing of the title.