Technical Analysis- Credits in Openings

"How are credits used to create tone and atmosphere in the opening scenes of ..."?

...Panic Room
The first thing we notice is the large, bold and capitalised text in the middle of the screen which appears intermingled in high-shots within the high rise of a large city. The high shot is used to present the font in a mysteriously bold fashion. Usually, we expect an abandoned house or a dark forest as a stereotypical setting. The fact that the city makes an appearance may be a surprise to the audience thus creating a peculiar and suspenseful scene. The shots are usually no longer than 4 seconds and sharply change to the next credit. This editing is consistent with the fast moving theme throughout the clip and is emphasised as the credits shift instantly. At the same time, the film companies and the main actors names appear. The order and the size of the font and text imply that these are important. Other connotations such as fear and danger can be picked out from such large text. Another important feature is the sound. The music in the background is made up of string instruments producing low and deep notes. This also adds to the dangerous/sinister theme being produced from the early pictures. As a Thriller audience this music may be related to films such as Jaws which also include its famous deep and booming soundtrack. The music changes after the title "Panic Room" appears into a faster and higher sounding piece. It is non-diegetic and goes from a fairly soft tone to a rougher, more foreboding one. The beat picks up and ticking can be loudly heard which adds the theme of time into the film.
At one moment during this change, a couple are displayed on a billboard. This section of the Mise-En-Scene can be interestingly interpreted that relationships will take a role in this film. As the sound picks up so does the action in the following shots. We see traffic start to move as well as our first glimpse of people walking on the pavement. Although these are very insignificant props, they help to set the scene.

...Shutter Island
A dark, prison corridor is the first thing presented to the audience with dark red credits in the corner. We can see the dirty floor leading up to a barred door with lights from the ceiling taking a particular presence in the scene. This instantly creates a spooky setting and darkens the mood which increases tensity. Edited in is water which appears to be dripping in front of the camera. The red text may even go the extent of implying that this liquid dripping down is blood. This implies that the living conditions here are very bad and is  further emphasised as shots from inside the prison are shown. The credits appear to be flickering throughout the opening scene which is soon after followed up by a close up shot of a match being lit in the dark. Although this seems insignificant, the flickering could also resemble the movement of a camera shutter as it opens and closes linking to the title of the film and giving us a disturbing theme of being watched. The next part fades in and shows a set of spiralling stairs. It is disorientating to watch because these stairs enter the scene spinning.The non diegetic music is mainly deeply pitched but has elements of high pitched parts too. The sound echoes and plays throughout the opening scene which also adds to the disorientating feel of moving down these stairs.
Props such as chains hanging from the ceiling, a gun and the match are highlighted boldly with the use of lighting and close up shots and all give of a strong hint that the film is a psychological thriller.  

...Catch Me If You Can
The opening shot is an establishing shot of an airport; the establishing shot is used at the start of the scene to establish the relationship between the characters and location. In this case we are introduced to an airport so the opening shot already introduces us to part of the storyline. Next we see a series of graphics where two silhouetted characters appear to be in a chase in a variety of colourful and dynamic backgrounds and locations.  The fingers snapping jazz theme tune is significant to the success of Catch Me If You Can’s opening. The theme tune is a key passage of music linked to the subject and style of the film which helps create the mood. The titles appear simultaneously with the beat of the music; every time there is a “finger snap” we are shown a new credit or image. The writing relates to the 60s era along with the music however there are huge black lines descending from some of the letters streaming up and down. We see again through Mise En Scene that Leonardo DiCaprio takes on many different characters for example a doctor, pilot and legal prosecutor shown through the costumes the silhouettes appear in. This is emphasised by the locations relating to the storyline which involves a lot of luxury and riches. However we always see Tom Hanks in these locations emphasising the title ‘Catch me of you can’ the last shots we see is Tom hanks chasing Leonardo DiCaprio dramatically on an illustration of the outer shape of the world again suggesting the storyline to the audience. The whole opening scene does not portray the stereotypical thriller film in the sense that it owns unique, dynamic and colourful visuals and jazzy music. A heavy sense of mystery and excitement takes a central role rather than a dark and spooky tone.

These three titles all have completely different storylines and openings but all come under the Thriller genre. Panic Room has bold and intimidating visuals with deep and foreboding music and quick editing. Shutter Island puts emphasis on its dark setting, spooky music and slow fading. In contrast the the previous two, Catch Me If You Can draws the attention of the audience to the speed and dynamic situations using the jazzy music to reinforce this. Lighting and sound appear to be the best features of setting the mood with the camera and props to certify themes in the film. These will all be considered when it comes to creating my final Thriller opening.