analysis of skyfall title sequence

Media Studies

Research Work

SKYFALL

The title sequence of Skyfall starts at 12:54 and begins with the song Skyfall performed by Adele. The first scene of the title sequence is Bond being pulled down in an underwater setting giving users a sort of suspense as to what takes place next.

The production title (left) is the first text of the title sequence to come at 18 seconds into the sequence. The font is white fitting to the setting and although in the centre of the screen but small enough for viewers to see what is happening in the background.

Then 20 seconds into the sequence the name of the leading actor is displayed (right) according to top billing. The setting in the background is all dark and shadowy giving viewers an impression of suspense and mystery. We can also see Bond being pulled down in an unknown place.

The next text of the title sequence is the Movie title displayed at 28 seconds into the sequence. The font is same for the title

however it is displayed with a slightly larger font size. The music in the background really matches with the setting and mise-en-scene giving the viewers the experience of mystery,

thrill and suspense.

Blood shown depicts that the movie is action based with scenes that will show violence. An over the shoulder shot of a woman (below) is shown with the setting all dark and shadowy giving the viewers a hint of suspicion and mystery.

The setting and location of the sequence is continuously changing giving us a glimpse of how the movie is possibly based. From the scenes shown and the mood that is set the genre of the film can be predicted as Action/Thriller.

All through the title sequence the setting often switches to red showing blood and setting a very thrilling and suspensing mood.

Also at many points weapons such as guns and daggers appear again setting an action genre of the film. Here (right) we have a shot of guns and daggers being depicted as tombstones.

(Left) Here we have a shot of a skull showing danger. All of these things clearly point Skyfall in the direction of Action/Thriller as a genre.

(Right) We can see in the picture bond shooting at people but another thing to notice is that the titles displayed here are duller, of smaller font and in the corner which shows that these people are not as important as the leading cast of the movie.

(Right and Bottom) Finally as we near the end of the title sequence the names of the most important members of the cast appear i.e the names of the Producers and Director.

The reason why they are displayed in the end is because these are the final names which the viewers see before the film commences and are able to stand out from the rest.

The title sequence was fairly long which allowed many members of the cast to be given credit.