Title Research: American Psycho

 I found this movie on Netflix.

What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? 

The opening scene started with the presentators, the association, the person who owns the film, and the title. Then it started listing the actors names. They are in white, middle-sized font. The letters of the font are also spaced out which makes it easier to read.

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

The opening scene starts with a blank white screen and drops of red liquid. Then the liquid is dropped and plopped on a white surface. Then it fades into a scene of a knife viciously cutting into a piece of meat. Then a scene of raspberries falling. These scenes show a dinner plate being prepared in a fancy way. Then there are images of people dressed formally in a restaurant.

What connotations do these images carry?

These images make me personally think that this is a normal movie with normal characters, but I think that is what the directors want us to think. However the incorporation of the red liquid makes the watchers think of blood and can make the audience wonder what the movie is really about. Also, the incorporation of the knife, which can be used as a weapon, can foreshadow to what will happen in the film and make the audience feel uneasy.

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

Thrillers typically have some sort of violence or mystery aspect and this opening scene shows both.  The red sauce gives a feeling of mystery because the audience doesn't know if its ketchup or blood until the meal is presented. The knife also gives a sense of violence with the object itself and the amount of pressure the person who cut the meat put on.

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

Again, with the red liquid, the audience wants to know what it is, whether its blood or ketchup. The white background makes the film seem pure and the audience will want to know how it becomes impure.

How has technology been used effectively?

Slow-motion is used to show the setting in a slow manner. This makes the scene ominous as to what is going to be shown. Dollies are used also in a slow manner to do that same effect.