This title sequence has a series of visual codes all of which are taken from the life of a police investigator who has a process to record, analyse and display evidence throughout a detailed and important investigation.
The sequence uses different types of innovative and thoughtful film work, including some live action, newspaper cutting and still photographs. The title sequence first starts with a model recreation of the JFK assassination which is one of the most well-known unsolved murder mysteries in history. Mise-en-scene and multiple different shot types are used to make the title sequence more intriguing and a better watch for viewers.
The editing of the title sequence is extremely intricate and well thought out, so through this fast pace and continuous editing the audiences are very gripped and the continuity of the editing makes it easy for viewers to travel through the sequence rapidly and understand what is going on. The audience is hooked immediately through the piece of red string that comes the car model, this string links together all the pieces of evidence to the police board. The start of the title sequence begins by the audience looking through a magnifying glass to then unravel all of the mystery. The use of this stereotypical visual code, immediately makes the audience aware what kind of series it will be.
The editing is fast paced and connotes urgency, hard cuts are used as the camera travels around showing all the evidence from the murder. This could connote the restless mind that is trying to deconstruct the murder and try and solve the case. This is extremely effective in showing how curious the mind is and how the hard cuts connote all the constant thoughts going on in their mind.
Specific shot types are used in the tile sequence such as the low angle shot from the car window shows the point of view of certain people connoting which point of view the audience are looking from. This shot is followed by the red string leading from the car into a building. This is extremely effective to create an immersive quality for the audience and it clearly shows the detective trying to unpick the murder. Following on from this, the opening sequence does a very good job at drawing the audience in and keeping them engaged the whole way through, this is a prime function of an opening sequence.
Not only this, but important dates are also used to create authenticity and make the title sequence of higher quality. By showing a number of different newspapers in the police office pin board in extreme close up shots reflects how important the murder was as multiple newspapers have headlined it, titles included "Kennedy Killed" connoting how tragic and out of the blue the death was.As the title sequence unfolds, the audience seem to almost be in the footsteps of the detective, as it feels as if we are following the assassin around to where he prepared the murder and the build up to it. The open suitcase on the bed is remembered by the viewers due to it being lit up by a spotlight connoting its importance. Within the case lies clothes, letters, pens, notebooks and the gun. The gun is placed in the centre of the suitcase and is on top of everything else, connoting its importance and showing the audience this must be the gun that killed Kennedy. The use of the visual codes of a gun, presents to the audience that the genre must be a thriller/ mystery/ action movie.
This specific title sequence follows all genre conventions including names of actors, producers, directors, writers and many more. In addition, the soundtrack is intriguing and the orchestral, dramatic music drives the action forward. The xylophones rhythm adds a sense of eerie and mystery into the atmosphere, which makes it extremely effective and makes the viewers want to watch on and even watch the movie itself. The further on the title sequence goes, the faster and more dramatic the music becomes once again adding suspense for the viewer. The final clips of the clock ticking transitioning to an extreme close up of the riffle shooting a bullet. At this point the name of the movie is suddenly revealed, in old typewriter font. It ends by the final dot in 11.22.63 turning red, connoting the murder and the blood from where he was shot.
Excellent thoughtful comments. You show isight into how this title sequence works and show knowledge of the conventions.
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