Untraceable
I have looked at the opening title sequence (OTS) of Untraceable. This movie, released in 2008 in the United States, was directed by Gregory Hoblit. He has directed such films as Primal Fear and Fracture. The film focuses on a serial killers live footage of his grisly murders on a new untraceable and unstoppable website.
The first thing the audience will see in the OTS is the opening credits on a black background. As white represents innocence and red represents blood, it could show that innocent blood will be spilt. The white of the credits also flash to a dull grey colour and this could represent the removal of innocence. also as white could also represent hope the flashing could show the loss of hope the characters may feel throughout the film. This could effect the audience by making them feel like the innocent people involved have no hope from the start and the killer will win no matter what.
The first sound the audience will hear are footsteps, a door opening and a cat meowing. This would scare the audience because it gives a feeling of the unknown and therefore creates suspense. Another thing that makes the OTS more sinister as there is no music. This is because it means we can hear what is going on but we cannot see it. This also creates a sense of the unknown.
When a picture finally comes onto screen we can see a cat box in the background and a computer in the foreground. The rest of the screen is still quite dark and black. This could represent the evil and dark nature of the killer. On the computer screen we see the killer nail something to the floor which helps create suspense and the feeling of the unknown as the audience know its something but it could be anything. Milk is then poured into a bowl. The milk is white and this again represents innocence and hope of characters in the film. the computer in the foreground is important because it is the killers main weapon throughout the movie. As this is the main weapon it makes the OTS scarier because at this time a lot of homes had computers and therefore makes what the killer is doing and will do in the realm of possibility.
The killer then moves a camera so the cat box comes into the foreground. This is so the audience know that it is important. The kitten when released we can see is white which again shows innocence has a bright white light shined onto him/her which shows the audience that the kitten is innocent not the man. The fact that it is actually a kitten not a cat again shows the innocence of the victim.
The pace of the OTS is slow as nothing sinister has happened yet but the pace helps create suspense. This is so the audience know that something is coming and that they should fear it. The pace could represent the fact that the killer is comfortable with what he is doing.
During the OTS we do not see the face of the killer but we do see parts of him. This is effective as it could give the audience the feeling that they know him a little bit and therefore anyone could actually do what he is doing. Also as it could make the audience feel that they know him it could make them feel somewhat responsible for what he is doing. The killer is also in control of what the audience sees because he carries the camera. This could give the audience the feeling that they are also at the mercy of the killer.
In conclusion this is a suspense filled opening title sequence with the killer in total control, that leaves the audience wanting more. It is made with skill that shows what the animosity of the internet makes possible which in itself is a scary thing.
The first thing the audience will see in the OTS is the opening credits on a black background. As white represents innocence and red represents blood, it could show that innocent blood will be spilt. The white of the credits also flash to a dull grey colour and this could represent the removal of innocence. also as white could also represent hope the flashing could show the loss of hope the characters may feel throughout the film. This could effect the audience by making them feel like the innocent people involved have no hope from the start and the killer will win no matter what.
The first sound the audience will hear are footsteps, a door opening and a cat meowing. This would scare the audience because it gives a feeling of the unknown and therefore creates suspense. Another thing that makes the OTS more sinister as there is no music. This is because it means we can hear what is going on but we cannot see it. This also creates a sense of the unknown.
When a picture finally comes onto screen we can see a cat box in the background and a computer in the foreground. The rest of the screen is still quite dark and black. This could represent the evil and dark nature of the killer. On the computer screen we see the killer nail something to the floor which helps create suspense and the feeling of the unknown as the audience know its something but it could be anything. Milk is then poured into a bowl. The milk is white and this again represents innocence and hope of characters in the film. the computer in the foreground is important because it is the killers main weapon throughout the movie. As this is the main weapon it makes the OTS scarier because at this time a lot of homes had computers and therefore makes what the killer is doing and will do in the realm of possibility.
The killer then moves a camera so the cat box comes into the foreground. This is so the audience know that it is important. The kitten when released we can see is white which again shows innocence has a bright white light shined onto him/her which shows the audience that the kitten is innocent not the man. The fact that it is actually a kitten not a cat again shows the innocence of the victim.
The pace of the OTS is slow as nothing sinister has happened yet but the pace helps create suspense. This is so the audience know that something is coming and that they should fear it. The pace could represent the fact that the killer is comfortable with what he is doing.
During the OTS we do not see the face of the killer but we do see parts of him. This is effective as it could give the audience the feeling that they know him a little bit and therefore anyone could actually do what he is doing. Also as it could make the audience feel that they know him it could make them feel somewhat responsible for what he is doing. The killer is also in control of what the audience sees because he carries the camera. This could give the audience the feeling that they are also at the mercy of the killer.
In conclusion this is a suspense filled opening title sequence with the killer in total control, that leaves the audience wanting more. It is made with skill that shows what the animosity of the internet makes possible which in itself is a scary thing.
RB