Title Research: Panic Room

Title Research

I found this title sequence on the website Arts of the Title. It is tied to the movie Panic Room, which is a thriller about a single-parent family is trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room during a brutal home invasion and the intruders really want what's inside.

What titles are displayed during the opening sequences?

In the beginning of the title sequence they present the productions studio and company, along with the marketing company. They then give credit to the starring cast, I'm assuming the cast mentioned are the main characters. After the cast, they showcase the movies' title then the credits of all the staff that helped create the movie. You will see the names of the directors, the editors, the producers, writes, designers etc.

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

Essentially, the creators wanted this sequence to be a tour of New York City, which was also the setting of the film. So these pictures included photos of infamous New York buildings, you see central park and you'll see famous billboards. This is just a list of things I was able to identify, but they showed so much of Manhattan that I'm sure a New Yorker would appreciate it.

What connotations do these images carry?

Honestly these photos are very bland and natural. These buildings are natural in there conditions. The images do not necessarily highlight the buildings in a positive light, they look dirty and old, which they are realistically. Overall the lighting and setting seems pretty normal. They aren't saturated in bright lighting so I would associate the feeling of these images with subtleness and anxiousness.

How does the film establish a feeling of the genre from the outset?

This film establishes anxiousness and maintains it. The entire purpose of thriller is to keep the audience on the edge of there seats and constantly hold them in a state of suspense. Which is achieved even from the the title sequence. 

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its targeted audience?

The writer created a movie filled with psychological twists that also triggers character development. They use the element of isolated location with the huge mansion as a setting and an isolated claustrophobic room. Throughout the movie tension is built with suspenseful music and dramatic stalls. There's also that cool element of keeping the audience guessing.

How has technology been used effectively? 

The CAMS and editing techniques used are pretty common to the genre. They use high angles, low angles, close ups, slow tracking, jump cuts, etc. Pretty much the norm to convey an idea and complicate the scenes.