Thriller Title Sequences - UPDATED

Font is often used within a film to show certain aspects such as genre or tone. 

The opening sequence of Se7en (1995), presents typeface which suggests danger, the flickering and movement of the font perhaps representing an instability in the killers mind. The font used- sans serif- is a simplistic style, and perhaps foreshadows the killers mind, and their sociopathic lack of emotion or sympathy. This is enforced by the colour of the font, which is white throughout the title sequence, also showing an idea of simplicity which could mean a possible threat. 

The typeface used for names mimics a handwriting style, making it seem more personal. Hands appear to be an important part of the film, and feature in the opening titles, perhaps linking to this style of font. Furthermore, the font continues to flicker, further enforcing the idea of instability of a murderers mind. The placement of each name or title seems unorganised and at random on the screen, perhaps further suggesting instability, the unmethodical and erratic style used to strike fear within the audience.

Another film which uses font effectively is Zodiac (2007). When the film opens the audience are immediately introduced to a newspaper, used for the opening credits. The audience first see the typewritten font 'San Francisco Chronicle', which is an effective way of introducing the setting of the film. 

The typewrite font is relevant to the film because it is about a cartoonist who does drawings for his local San Francisco newspaper, who becomes an amateur detective, intent on finding the Zodiac killer. Because of this, the typewrite font in the layout of a newspaper indicates this theme. 

The camera moves along the newspaper, zooming in on certain articles as a way to introduce the audience to the film further, these areas saying things such as 'Warner Bros Pictures and Paramount Pictures presents'. The use of this is to make it known to the audience who produced the film as any opening titles would do, but also add an undertone of what the film itself includes. The important parts of the opening credits are made with a larger font as well as zoomed in on by the camera, to ensure the audience know this is a part they should focus on. As well as this, the body text of the articles is blurred to create a further focus of the important text. 

Some parts of the text are circled in red, suggesting they are important to the theme or plot of the film, however they are not focused on long enough for the audience to read, creating confusion, perhaps to suggest that clues are transient and momentary. 

The use of red could suggest danger and warning, adding to the idea that these are important clues.

These title sequences could be useful to me when making my own for my own Thriller opening. I want to use a style that will reflect on the meaning or themes within my film, presenting the tone of the film to the audience like these title sequences have done.