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True Detective – Opening Titles Analysis
- 1. True Detective – Opening Titles Promotional Video Analysis Hayley McCarthy
- 2. http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/true-‐detective/ As I do not watch the show, much of the imagery will not be read in the intended manner, so I researched further into this title sequence. The image below is taken from Elastic’s Opening Title Sequence Concept book.
- 3. Created in it’s various stages at Elastic, Antibody, and Studio Breeder (those behind ADBNE title sequence), this technically executed opening sequence really pushes the boundaries of double exposure. Portraying the relationships between characters and locations, each shot demonstrates internal struggles that each character faces, which is made increasingly obvious as the shows narrative progresses. Fiercely symbolic with religious iconography really draws the viewer in, despite only being 1:32 minutes long. Shot Length: 0:00-‐0:04 (4 sec) Shot Type: Establishing Shot -‐ Petrochemical plant, physical location of the show, connotes pollution. Shot Angle: Low Angle with central focus point to ground viewer Mise En Scene: The colour grading of this shot immediately grabs my attention, with a muted but contrasting palette complimenting the intentions of the establishing shot; portraying the atmosphere of this location, with the slightly wet grass offering connotations in itself. I also love how the double exposure gradually appears, framing the sky perfectly. This could be achieved in After Effects using key frames to transform the opacity layer, and perhaps setting the layer type to ‘Add’ to retain the definition of the face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxXRkqXfhYM
- 4. Shot Length: 0:12-‐0:16 (4 sec) Shot Type: Close Up Shot Angle: Eye level-‐ adds a simplicity to this shot which is beautifully complimented by the overlaid footage. Mise En Scene: One thing I have noticed with the majority of the background footage in this sequence is the tracking or panning motion which offers movement to the scene which I really like. My previous experiments have been static time lapses, but this has definitely inspired me to push this footage further, perhaps through the use of pans. I also love how the upwards towers of the Petrochemical plant (a reoccurring location) frame half of his face, which is later revealed though the slight title of his head. This creates a really interesting outline which is visually appealing, with the revealing elements adding that extra visual appeal.
- 5. Shot Length: 0:16-‐0:19 (3 sec) Shot Type: Medium shot – Zooms into CU, retaining focus on face. Shot Angle: Low Angle – Slight low angle most likely used to add interest which is met by the zoom. Mise En Scene: Movement is once again used here through the use of a track in the background scene in a left to right motion, which is mimicked by the turning of the figures’ head from left to right, emphasising this progression. The overall colour grading of this is also really appealing, with the muted tones matching perfectly with the off-‐white solid background. In this clip the camera slightly zooms in, drawing the viewer into the frame. Zooms were common in Dmitri Basil’s 60/70s inspired work, and could be useful in my final video.
- 6. Shot Length: 0:29-‐0:31 (3 sec) Shot Type: Close Up -‐ Face fills frame, emotive, engages audience (purpose of opening titles) Shot Angle: Eye level -‐ Focus on eyes which open Mise En Scene: The change in colour with the action on screen is very subtle but also very effective. Starting with the lovely overlaid footage of jellyfish on the person’s cheek, the dark navy colours shift into brighter turquoise when their eyes open, connoting revelation and ‘shedding light on the dark’; fitting with the original concept of documenting the “internal division” of each character.
- 7. Shot Length: 0:51-‐0:53 (2 sec) Shot Type: Close Up Shot Angle: Low Angle – adds to intensity (overly dark, black grading) low angle connotes power and dominance Mise En Scene: A really clever shot, here the double exposure is used to re-‐ contour the face, creating an almost skull-‐like image which parallels his menacing stare. The green screen footage is also slowed down, really savouring this graphic match. The definition and depth retained in the original face is also really inspiring, and is something that I would quite like to achieve to really emphasise the lip-‐syncing.
- 8. Shot Length: 0:29-‐0:31 (3 sec) Shot Type: Long Shot -‐ Focus on what would normally be the background footage Shot Angle: High Angle -‐ slight high angle used to show spherical nature of object, giving the impression of 3D on a 2D surface. Mise En Scene: Interestingly, the background footage immediately takes focus here, with what would be the green screen footage projected onto it, suggesting that this can be achieved without the use of green screen should the surface be flat enough. The flipped footage also sparks interest, connoting a discordant landscape and adding visual interest. The blur of this clip is also very interesting, and I love the idea of the blur used almost to soften the cuts between shots.