Thriller Films Title Sequences

 The title sequence is an important part of our film opening project. Today I'll be exploring 3 title sequences in thriller films, the title sequences of Se7en (1995), Casino Royale (2006), The Silence of the Lambs (1991). 

Se7en has one of the most disturbing and influential title sequences, which is why I've used it for both my opening and title sequence blog posts. It's a fragmented unsettling montage of the film's antagonist John Doe. The credits appear in a jagged, handwritten style and there are close up shots of his gloved hand and notebooks. There's rapid, erratic editing and an industrial, haunting soundtrack.

It's an abstract introduction to John Doe and immerses the viewer in his meticulousness before they even meet him, setting a grim and unsettling tone.

Casino Royale is a spy thriller and its title sequence is a bold reinvention of James Bond's iconic intros, using a graphic animation technique. There's card game symbols, stylized animation and a bold color palette. 

The title sequence signals a fresh start for the Bond franchise. It's grittier, more intense and thematically tied to the story, and the card imagery reinforces the film's theme of high-stakes gambling.

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller like Se7en and takes a unique minimalist approach to its title sequence. There's cold, desaturated cinematography as Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) jogs through a foggy FBI training course. The simple, bold typography contrasts with the bleak background. There's no visual effects, just imposing text. The use of diegetic sound over the music, whether it being Starling's breathing or the rustling of the trees establishes an eerie mood. The sequence immerses the viewer in the film's atmosphere through realism.

All 3 films take different approaches to the title sequence. Se7en uses chaotic imagery to introduce the killer's psyche. Casino Royale uses animation to reimagine Bond as a more modern spy. The Silence of the Lands lets its realism build tension. Each sequence complements its film's style and subgenre, whether psychological horror, action thriller, or realism.

Me and my group will have to think about how our title creates meaning/tone in our film opening.

See you next time!