The Poker Club

Title sequence 9-shot analysis

Crime, drama/thriller sub-genre

One of the first shot to the opening credits displays the director to the film, this is shown in such a way that the graphology to the shot seems to resemble an eye. This is an element to the thriller genre as the eye could represent a character watching another character, leaving a sense of mystery - which causes the audience to ask questions. The dark colours are a typical feature to the genre, however there are streaks of white incorporated into the ‘eye’ which could resemble a “good” force battling the dark, bad side. Although this shot implies that the bad force will win as they are the prominent colour.

Shot 1.

The typical thriller genre conventions are prominent in this shot as in contrast to the previous shot, the colour scheme is much darker – enforcing the idea that the bad force will seem victorious over the good side, this could lead the audience into believing something untrue (such as a red-herring). The introduction to the title of the film and the type of film is apparent here, indistinct in the background is the ‘royals’ of a deck of cards, indicates towards the audience that the following film includes cards – possible a card game. The title of the film ‘The Poker Club’ supports this.

Shot 2.

A change to the previous shots in the opening, the queen card could resemble a possible macguffin , it leads the audience to ask ‘is this card important?’ This aspect is key to the thriller genre as it’s one of the few things you can hide from the audience – its reveal is up to the story creator. The three poker chips could represent three main characters or three characters important to the plot, however they could be the items pivotal to the story –whether it be towards the start or the end. The fact the text is minuscule and towards the bottom could symbolise the characters aren’t the most important aspect to this plot, something else it.

Shot 3.

The progression of the shots could be an indication to the progression of the storyline; this shot reveals the moment when the crime element of the sub-genre becomes prominent – supported by the gun. However, this shot contradicts the title, the gun could possibly lead the audience into thinking the game is more like Russian Roulette, chance is involved which could lead to a disastrous moment which changes the plot. The slightly askew lettering resembles a stamp, as if something has been branded. This again could be to mislead the audience or to throw them off the trail as too much ‘real’ information could have been given away at this point in the credits.

Shot 4.

The growing number of cards included in the shots gives the indication that the storyline is heavily based upon a card game, leading the audience into thinking it may actually be a poker game like the title suggests. The downward spiral draws the audience into reading the credits at the bottom, in the centre, of the ‘production designer’. Before there was an eye watching us, this shot makes the audience feel as though they are the ones watching someone. The deeper red colours suggest bloodshed; this film may be a sub-genre between action and thriller.

Shot 5.

The triangular shape in the centre of the frame encloses the rest of the action in the shot creating a focus for the audience. The snake-like movements of the shapes could resemble the sly actions of some characters, this causes intrigue with the audience as the convention of mystery and confusion have been used. The small hand reaching out of the darkness grasping the lighter colour could symbolise a longing for something or someone trying to escape. A ‘red-herring’ could be in motion here as it’s a ploy to divert the audience into thinking the genre is different – thinking kidnapping is involved.

Shot 6.

As mentioned before, the hand has moved so that less is showing, possibly suggesting the hope of reaching something won’t succeed. The enclosing red spiral and shapes could represent the dark or enemy side seeming victorious at some stage throughout the film. The deeper red colours could denote the contamination of blood, suggesting to the audience that there will be bloodshed. The slow movements of the shapes entrance the audience whilst leading them confused as they aren’t fully shown what these moving items are.

Shot 7.

The suit of cards chosen here being hearts is ironic as the heart implies love and caring, which is clearly not present here as blood is spattered and a gun shot seems to be piercing the heart of the jack. The element of uncertainty is prominent here as the audience aren’t given much information in this shot, other than the poker chip which links the shot to the title, and the drop of blood on the edge of the card, questions may be raised as to who was shot, who shot the gun, why they were shot etc. These questions don’t typically represent love, thus the irony appearing.

Shot 8.

The final shot shows more blood spattered across the card and floor, again raising more questions as to why this person has been injured or killed so violently. The engrossing darkness around the edges could symbolise the growing power of the evil. A second poker chip has been included which suggests that more than one person are involved in the trouble caused at the start, however, the blood spatter on one of the chips could indicate someone becomes injured. All these elements give small amounts of information to the audience, but not enough to reveal the story, thus making them watch on to find out the storyline.

Shot 9.