I used the website "The Art of the Title" to investigate and analyse title sequences. The website showcases various title sequences such as the title sequence for the series "Elementary". The television series features a title sequence that depicts the fast paced mind of Sherlock Holmes of whom the series is based on. The detective is well known for having a fast paced intelligent mind. The title sequence features a domino effect where a contraption is set in motion and a chain of events begins to unwind. This chain reaction consists of various objects moving that results in a trap being executed. This chain of events is used to represent these qualities of the main character. Various objects are involved in this chain and many represent the key themes of the story. The theme of a pinball is demonstrated and developed through use of circular object such as hamster wheels and gun barrels. Specific colours are used such as Red where this is associated with danger, death, blood.
As well as this the shots have all been edited so that they all feature a brown and yellow tint. This is effective as it creates an old fashioned tone to the shots in the title sequence. This colour demonstrates the victorian era and mise-en-scene of the series. This could help to establish the time the series is set in or perhaps show the style of Sherlock Holmes as an old fashioned mind. The final shot contrasts with the rest of the sequence as it is calmer and the font used is enlarged to accentuate the title of the series. The colour theme however is in keeping with the previous shots; throughout the sequence there is an old fashioned dingy tone to the shots. This could help to establish the time the series is set in or perhaps show the style of Sherlock Holmes as an old fashioned mind. The music used creates a pace that compliments the motion of the objects in the clips and shows the climax of this domino effect as the trap is activated. Again, this links with the mind of Sherlock Holmes where he is a fast paced thinker and shows the suspense of solving a murder mystery.
You write lucidly and in detail: good quality analysis. The pinball theme is developed through a number of circular images (coils, hamster wheels, gun barrels) as well as the 'domino' effect of a trap set in motion. The urgency of the music matches the forward momentum reaching its climax as the trap is sprung. All these sound and vision codes construct the processes of Holmes's analytical mind and pursuit of solutions to crimes. The colour is dark as befits the Victorian era and the underworld mise-en-scene.
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