Genre research - Detective and mystery - Title Sequences

Since I have chosen Detective and Mystery to be the genre which I intend to peruse, I have been researching title sequences of some films from the Genre.

• Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo 

This, in my view, is an extremely effective title sequence. The use extreme close-ups on a face at the beginning of the sequence almost suggests someone is examining the person, which perhaps ties in with the detective - suspect scenario. Also, the ECL on the eyes connotes mystery as we, as the viewer, are almost thrown in with the assumption that this person has done something wrong, as when she looks around it almost suggests she's hiding from something. In addition, the use of a woman makes it all the more compelling as you feel she is more vulnerable than if you were to use a man.

Another aspect of this title sequence which makes it successful is the bridging shot between the woman's eyes and the notorious spiraling shapes which really begins to introduce the film. These shapes give the impression of falling, as we slowly zoom in on them it makes us feel like we are falling into them. This reflects the need to link the title sequence in with the story line.

This is something which I am going to need to do in order to make my title sequence an effective one.

In addition, the music in this title sequence is also effective. The constant increase and decrease in dynamics gives it an unpredictable edge, which not only makes it intriguing, but relates to the film in the sense that there are a lot of twists and unexpected turns in the plot. 

• Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009)

This is the end credit sequence from the latest Sherlock Holmes film. The effects used on this, in my view, make it very original and very effective. The transition from the real life to almost a sketch on paper reflects the genre very well. It connotes mystery as the drawings seem to suggest a plan of some sort, which pushes the viewer to make the assumption that something has/is happening. It almost makes the sequence incredibly dynamic. The freeze-framed action shots make the sequence engaging and perhaps reflects the action side of this genre, which links to the gangster roots of the genre.