Title Sequences: Thrillers

Film: Hostage (2005)

Genre: Thriller

Director: Florent Emilio Siri

Screenplay: Doug Richardson

Producers: Bruce Willis, Bob Yari, Arnold Rifkin, Mark Gordon

The movie Hostage features an incredibly crafted title sequence which for me is one of the most memorable parts. This title sequence was created by just one man: Laurent Brett and his initial inspiration came from Frank Miller’s Sin City comics. It immediately places the viewer right in the centre of a crime scene taking place in one of LA’s suburbs. The scene is rendered in black and white contrasting colours, with deep blood red as the only supporting colour. Dark colours such as black and red are very conventional within the thriller genre; they both create feels of danger. Red is the colour of blood, so can be associated with energy, war, danger, rage and anger, whilst black can be associated with death, evil and mystery. The camera pans across the scene, alternating between wide and close shots which builds the tension. This tension is further created by the haunting instrumental that plays throughout the titles, accompanied by the occasional sound of faint sirens which can suggest the scene we are in. Below are a selection of screenshots from the title sequence, where there is a clear theme amongst colour (red/black/white) and font (large/bold).

Use of shadows to create mystery and tension, essential in a thriller

Follows a theme of red, black and white which are dark and contrasting colours- conventional within the genre

Bold font which contrasts from background to stand out

Scenes of the city to establish location

Features weapons- a convention within the genre and suggest something violent will take place

Titles written on police tape: gives idea on the scenario and type of film it will be