Title Sequence Research

Se7en

Se7en's title sequence can be described as one word to me: Unnerving. The music in the background consists of grating, high-pitched squeals while short-cut scenes of the writings of a madman play out onscreen. These scenes cut in so fast you cannot really tell what is being written out, an editing choice that mirrors the fast-paced mystery based plot of the movie. The font onscreen is also reminiscent of the handwriting on the paper- sharp and scribbled and set at an angle, with words flashing larger and blurred out. The overwhelming vibe surrounding the entire sequence, as well as the mystery and confusion audiences may feel watching this character's book be sewn together, really sets the audience up for the rest of the movie, along with the only words spoken right at the end of the sequence: "Getting closer to God." The emphasis on this phrase at the very end helps the audience understand what this movie is going to be about, with the title Se7en referring to the seven deadly sins according to the Bible.

Legally Blonde

On a completely different axis, Legally Blonde's title sequence is a pleasure to watch. It's bright and colorful, with a happy pop song- Perfect Day- playing over the scene. The font is glittery and pink, as if it was being written in gel pen. The scene cuts between shots of our main character, El, getting ready for a "special" night she is going to have, and El's sorority girls getting a letter for her passed along and signed. We are also introduced to some of El's achievements, such as her being the president of her sorority Delta Nu. This title sequence explains the entire movie- the irony of the song "Perfect Day" contrasts with how this day will actually end horribly for El, as it results in a breakup- although this breakup encourages her to apply to Harvard. Throughout the film, she is supported by other girls, similar to how they are so set on signing this letter for her in the beginning. The achievements we are shown through the title sequence also show El's people/leadership skills and ability to rise to the top- just as she will throughout the rest of the film.

From

Returning to a mysterious sequence, the TV series From has one of my all time favorites. Through this title sequence, we are shown images of a town, both in reality and in crayon-based drawings, while a slow cover of "Que Sera Sera" plays. The song is incredibly important to the development of the story- the accepting attitude to reality mirroring that of the characters' own of the world they are trapped in- "whatever will be will be" being an important phrase for many, as they live day by day with no idea what could happen next. Additionally, the town being compared to the drawings is important both to the plot- with the drawings being revealed to be those of a main character, Victor- and to the idea that this world is perceived much differently by the youngest characters- the drawings are significantly brighter than the dull reality, despite the horrors they equally depict. The title sequence also ends with a nighttime scene, which is important to one of the main gimmicks of the show- the nighttime is dangerous and mysterious, holding both terror and the answers to this universe.