Title Sequence / Dexter Analysis

The close up of this shot makes it first seem like the skin of a human is being cut up and a body being dismembered, but once it is zoomed out we realise that in actual fact it is just meat which is being cooked. This helps to create suspense in the opening scene and puts the audience on edge as they are unsure of what is going on, creates a sense of mystery. The editing in this is quick and fast changing so that is helps to create tension and a "jumpy" feel to the sequence.

The music in the background is sinister which helps to create an atmosphere and make normal everyday activities appear suspicious. The use of the sharp knife connotes murder and criminal activity which makes you think about the man who is featuring in the title sequence and what it is he does and you question why he is so mysterious.

Blood is featured a lot during this title sequence, which could relate murder. The close up helps to focus in on blood and keep the audience watching as the main focus is the brutal killing of people, which the blood represents. The blood dripping into the skink leaves the audience thinking about what may have happened, when in actual fact it is just that the man had cut himself whilst shaving. The use of the blood dripping into and near the plug could represent someone's life draining away as they have been murdered by the mysterious man. The editing is again quick paced as it is indented to keep your heart racing as we see more things which could relate to a murder and the death of someone of someone. There is sound effects as the blood drips into the skin which is aimed to make the audience feel uncomfortable and "squeamish."

In this shot there is a close up of a mosquito landing on Dexter's arm. He kills the insect without any hesitation which shows he is fearless and brutal and does not care for others. It again is another action which connotes murder. The close up makes you focus in on the killing of the mosquito and makes the audience think about what this could represent. The sound effects of the mosquito and it being killed are very realistic and makes the audience feel disgusted as it is
being squished. It is also loud which emphasis the killing of this insect making you think about what it could mean. This shot is very dark which suggests that Dexter is a mysterious man and that maybe he is not what he is supposed to be or seems.     

                                                                                                       
This title sequence is effective to the thriller genre as it helps to create tension and suspense within the first few minutes of the programme. The sequence gives subtle hints and clues as to what is in store of the viewer and what you should expect from this typical thriller style series.