What is the Purpose of a Title Sequence & Analysing Two Title Sequences

Title sequences are used in film as a way to introduce the general themes of the film. They often help establish setting and main characters. The main purpose of them however is to give credit to the cast and crew members involved in production. They are mainly based on visuals and music which set up the mood for the rest of the movie.

The opening sequence for the film “Black Swan” left audiences feeling on edge and excited for what’s to come. Throughout the title sequence we see a ballet dancer dancing to violin music. The ballerina dances behind a thin white sheet and quite a few times we see a dark liquid that resembles blood splash on the fabric. The fabric is also ripped a few times.

In the opening the first person who is given credit is Natalie Portman. In movies such as The Stepfather which don’t have a lot of popular actors, it’s better to advertise the movie based solely on its title. But, when you have such a big name like Natalie Portman in your film, it’s best for production companies to advertise it as a Natalie Portman film because it will draw a larger audience. 

We see close ups and cut ins of the dancer as she moves gracefully, but this is contrasted majorly by the intense sound of violins. As the sequence goes on the music becomes even more intense and fast paced. As this happens the camera cuts quickly from shots of the dancer and the blood splattering. This quick movement could confuse and possibly scare the audience and leave them wondering what exactly is happening. Also, the mise-en-scene element of colour is mainly white, which represents purity or innocence. But the dark silhouettes of the aggressive dancer and the blood completely oppose the themes of purity. 

“The Stepfather” begins with establishing shots outside a family home. We are then shown a close up of a barber’s kit neatly lined up. This close up gives the audience an insight into the personality of the character we are about to see. The fact that the tools are so perfectly aligned shows that this character may be slightly obsessive. We are shown through mid-shots of the character that he is attempting to change the colour of his hair and his appearance as he shaves and puts contact lenses in. This makes us wonder what it is that could have happened for him to want to change the way he looks. 

There is an overall theme of the colour red in the sequence, we see Christmas decorations and blood as the character cuts himself shaving. At first we don’t suspect that anything major is going on, however there’s a drastic change when we are shown a mid-shot of a young boy covered with blood. This leaves the audience worried wondering what could have happened. We then see the bodies of several other people as the stepfather leaves the house.

In the sequence, the music is quite intense and quiet at first, but then it slowly changes into a Christmas Carol. This gives a sort of eerie feeling as Christmas is meant to be a happy time. But the intensity in the house hugely contrasts the music to give a spooky feeling.