3 Thriller title sequences --- Isaac Hodgkin

Goodfellas:



The Goodfellas tittle sequence is an additional narrative (free standing sequence), this creates a mini narative. It starts will a bullet fired from a gun leaving a black line which we follow to then reveal the Production company. This immediately creates a sense of violence.





The bullet line then rotates to vertical. From behind this line two animated characters appear, one chasing the other with a gun and proceeds to shot him.They run along the title of another production company. Again linking to violence and death. Yet still creating a modern feel through the modern bond, informal front styling, and also using fresh and clean white, blacks and reds.

We continue to follow is line downwards, the line sweeps sideways to reveal another three animated characters, two beating up the third on the floor. Excessive violence foreshadows the films content.
The clean, modern feel is carried on. The music matches the modern theme as its very upbeat.

The background stays neat and modern as it changes black. Money falls from top to bottom of the screen, very cleverly presenting the audience with a producer name. This may link to gangs and organised crime because of the amount of violence and money shown.

The Usual Suspects:






This title sequence is very neat and clean as the background is a dark black and the lettering is smooth and a modern silver. The words seem to flutter onto the screen from above, matching the fluttering highs and lows of the violin playing.

The title then speeds off the screen upwards again matching one of the very high pitched notes of the violin. These sound matching actions creates a very eerie atmosphere yet keeping a modern feel. This continues for another minute.

Until the darkness and music is broken by a close-up of numerous matches being lit. This then goes to set the scene for the opening sequence.

The Insider:

This sequence starts with a black screen showing production companies in a neat white font. In the background is the low rumble of a car engine ever growing louder. This continues for another 30 seconds until the films title is shown and fades out. 

Then matching the sudden introduction to drum beats and music, we cut to a extreme close-up of a material as if covering the camera, we soon find out this is covering a characters face. This creates a sense of disorientation and helps the audience see and experience what the character is. 

While actors names are shown, we get a sense of setting as we start to see more of the surroundings and also the music is very culturally accurate. Next we are introduced to more characters, who seem to be soldiers carrying large guns. This creates the theme of violence and maybe foreshadows the fate of the captured character.