Gone Girl Opening Title Sequence Analysis

The film begins displaying the production company in which produced

Gone Girl 20th Century Fox. The popularity of this production company
connotes the fact that the film is going to be successful due to the success
of many films produced by this company. As this is the first thing the
audience see, it encourages them to keep watching. The title of A David
Fincher film is denoted at the beginning of the sequence, and at the end.
This highlights its importance as it is repeated. The crediting of David
Fincher immediately makes the audience aware of the genre of the film
a thriller. This is because David Fincher most commonly directs films of the
thriller genre. The next titles, presented in front of a black background,
are the names of the actors that play the most significant roles. The main
title of Gone Girl is displayed after the names of the actors, meaning the
titles increased in importance up until this denotation. Then, other actors
names and those who contributed to the creation of the film are credited,
e.g. music producers, editors, production designers, etc. As these are
displayed after the denotation of the main title, it represents that they
arent as significant, although still important as they are still recognised in
the opening sequence. These titles appear in a quick motion, remain on
the screen for about a second and then fade out. This creates a stressful
atmosphere for the audience as they must strain to read the titles. This
stress and confusion reflects the narrative of this thriller thrilling the
audience from the get go and encouraging them to continue watching.
The size of the titles are small compared to the shots they are denoted in
front of. This creates a sense of setting, and that its in a large scale. This
creates many enigmas, as the audience want to find out why this setting
is so significant in the opening sequence.
As the sequence begins, the audience are made aware of the everyday
clothing the characters are wearing, intriguing the audience as a
mysterious atmosphere is created because of it. This is also created
through the use of casual and subtle make-up that the female character is
wearing. The lighting differs throughout, and represents the passing of
time. This is because it begins before sunrise, therefore the lighting is
rather low key, creating a sense of enigma. As the sequence progresses, it
becomes brighter, signifying the sun is rising. When the actor Ben Affleck
is displayed standing outside a house in a confused manner, the lighting is
low key again. This has been included to remind the audience that this
character holds a sense of mystery. It could be argued that this film was
Afflecks breakthrough acting role, as his popularity increased because of
it. Although, he appeared in other thrillers beforehand, e.g. Armageddon.
Rosamund Pike, the actress playing one of the most significant characters
in the film, also has appeared in many thrillers in the past, e.g. Die
Another Day. The incorporation of these two characters who have
previously appeared in thriller films, displays the genre of the film as the
sequence begins. Although the specific setting (country, state, etc.) is not
revealed in the opening sequence, the fact that it is set in a large, open
area is denoted. More and more of the town is revealed as the opening

sequence progresses. This creates a sense of realism for the audience, as

well as the rest of the aspects of the mise-en-scene. This atmosphere has
been particularly created in the opening sequence, so that when the
disturbing narrative of the film is revealed, it is unexpected.
One close-up has been included throughout the whole opening sequence,
of the main
female character. This has been included to emphasise the importance of
the character, as this is the first figure the audience are made aware of,
this leads them to believe that the Girl referenced in the title Gone Girl
is this character. It has also been incorporated to signify her emotions as
soon as the sequence begins. Mid shots and long shots are most
commonly used in the opening sequence. Mid shots are incorporated in
areas of importance, meaning the shot is closer to show important
settings of the narrative. Long shots have been used to show the area on
a large scale, creating a sense of normality for the audience, as the
setting seems like a usual, nothing-out-of-place setting. This is connoted
through the use of multiple pans also. In one aspect, the camera pans
from the bottom of a clock to the op, representing the passing of time.
The multiple representation of passing time in the opening sequence
could have been used to resemble a ticking clock, or that time is a
significant aspect of the narrative. An effective match on action has been
used at the end of the sequence when the male lead is stood on the front
porch, seeming to be contemplating something important. This almost
makes the character seem vulnerable as he is being viewed from a range
of different perspectives this may have been used to reflect the
narrative.
The pace of the editing compared to the pace of the soundtrack differs.
The pace of the cuts made in between the different shots creates a sense
of chaos and confusion within the audience. This is also created when the
typography is only displayed in the shot for a short period, before fading
out. However, it could be argued that the calm soundtrack creates an
opposite effect. Secondly, short takes are used throughout the whole
opening sequence, meaning each shot shown is never longer than a
second, creating a disorderly atmosphere, mirroring the narrative. Finally,
only 4 titles are denoted in front of a black screen, in white typography.
The rest are superimposed in front of shots of the town in which the film
was set, creating a sense of setting and enigmas, as the audience wish to
find out why the setting is such a significant aspect of the opening title.
The sequence begins by introducing the production company that
produced the film 20th Century Fox. This production ident comes with an
iconic soundtrack that everyone is familiar with. However, this is most
commonly present at the beginning of a romance or a comedy film
something light-hearted. Therefore, the soundtrack cannot be heard in
this instance, but rather a sound-bridge has been used from the ident to
the beginning of the opening sequence, displaying continuity. The
soundtrack that can be heard in the sequence creates an eerie

atmosphere, due to its lack of rhythm. It could be argued, however, that

the soundtrack subverts the usual stereotype of a thriller soundtrack. This
is because the intensity of the sounds doesnt vary or increase, it stays
the same throughout. After the denotation of the main actors and the
directors, a voiceover from the main character played by Ben Affleck can
be heard. This voiceover mirrors the narrative of the film by using
sinister/sadistic wording and phrases, e.g. I picture cracking her lovely
skull. The voiceover has also been incorporated to introduce the
relationship between the two characters, as he consistently refers to her
as his wife, and as a pairing, e.g. us. The soundtrack and the diegetic
sounds that can be heard in certain areas contrast from one and other.
Ambient diegetic sounds are used, for example, birds chirping, wind
blowing through the trees, soft cars passing synchronous to the footage.
As a result of the Gone Girl opening sequence, many enigmas are
created that the audience wish to solve by continuing to watch the film.
The audience will wish to find out what the main male character is
meaning by what he voices in the voiceover, and whether the two most
significant characters relationship is successful. Another enigma created
is the distressed facial expression the male character holds as the
sequence ends. The audience are going to want to find out what he is
thinking about, encouraging them to continue watching. Finally, the
audience will wish to find out why the variety of different settings
displayed in the opening sequence are so significant. This is the main
enigma created due to the fact that many different areas of the town are
denoted throughout the sequence, and they will want to discover why.
Therefore, overall, this opening sequence is effective in maintaining the
interest of the audience.
Shot Analysis

This shot is denoted after the title of A David Fincher film. This represents
the thriller aspect of the film as he most commonly directs films of that
kind. This makes the audience aware that this character portrayed at the
beginning could either be the protagonist or the antagonist. The character
is wearing casual clothes and make-up, creating a sense of realism. The
lighting of the shot is low-key, emphasising the enigma of the film, with a
grey undertone. Grey holds connotations of sadness, representing to the

audience that quote heavy-going events may take place in the film. A
close-up of the main character is displayed, which is also a point of view
shot. This creates enigmas because the audience want to know what shes
looking at, and why she looks so unhappy/disappointed. The constant eye
contact the audience are forced to make with this character makes the
uncomfortable, perhaps mirroring events in the narrative that may make
them feel the same. The slight use of slow motion in this clip elongates
the shot, representing the importance of her emotions, and her role. A
voiceover can be heard as this shot is denoted, making the audience
aware of the fact that the man in the voiceover is speaking about her, the
girl that is referred to in the film title.

This shot displays the main title of the film, the most significant title in the
opening sequence. This title is denoted initially in front of black, however
it dissolves into this image, with the title becoming superimposed onto it.
The typography is initially denoted in white but fades to grey. This could
represent the disappearance of the girl in the narrative. It may also
connote sadness, as grey is consistently used throughout. Again, the
lighting of this shot is rather low-key, seeming like pre-sunrise. This
represents the point that time is passing throughout the whole opening
sequence. This emphasises that time or a ticking clock is an important
aspect of the narrative. This setting creates a calm atmosphere,
juxtaposing to the stressful, disorderly narrative of the film. The water
denoted in the shot may contribute to the narrative regarding the
characters. The long shot used creates a sense of setting, along with the
rest of the opening sequence. Finally, the soundtrack continues from the
prior shot to the current shot, presenting a sound-bridge.

The actors name Tyler Perry is superimposed onto this shot. This title is
displayed after the main title since he is not a main character, but still
important in the solving of the mystery created in the film. The
typography is denoted in white, and placed in an area which contrasts.
This has been used in order to show that the title presented is significant.
Secondly, low-key lighting is also apparent in this shot, much like the rest
of the opening sequence. This, along with the denotation of an abandoned
sign/building, creates an eerie and mysterious atmosphere. This may
represent the fact that abandonment or rejection is a large aspect
contributing to the narrative. This mid shot is the first mid shot denoted in
the opening sequence. This shot has been used rather than a long shot to
emphasise the desertion of the setting. A low angle shot of the area is
incorporated into the sequence, making the audience seem weak,
vulnerable and powerless, perhaps reflecting the feelings of characters in
the film. The titles throughout fade in and then out in a quick transition.
The consistent transitioning of these titles could have been used to signify
a pulse, as its regular and relatively of that rhythm. Due to the speed, it
could represent the stress of the characters and the audience as parts of
the narrative are revealed to them. It may also have been used to connote
death.

As the opening sequence progresses, more than on title are denoted in

one shot. This signifies that the opening sequence is coming to an end
and the film is about to begin. It is apparent in the shot that it is early in
the morning, due to the slight sun-rise and the deer displayed in the
background. Again, the sun rising in the background represents the
importance of the passing of time, while still incorporating low-key lighting

to create a sense of enigma. The denotation of a deer connotes a sense of

innocence to the audience. This contrasts, but relates to the narrative of
the film, as they try to find out whether the characters are innocent or
not. Although, it contrasts since the majority of the characters lack that
sense of innocence. As this shot is established, it pans slightly from left to
right, revealing more of the setting, highlighting its importance. In this
clip, birds can be heard chirping, creating an ambient sound as its quite
soothing, and produces a calm atmosphere for the audience. As a result of
this, the thrilling narrative will come as a shock to the audience,
encouraging them to continue watching.

One of the final shots credits the author in which the film is based on.
Giving the author recognition is extremely important, so that the audience
are aware of the fact that all the ideas that contributed to the creation of
this film came from her. Low-key lighting with the grey undertone is once
again apparent in this shot. The character is also denoted wearing a grey
t-shirt, emphasising the importance of the colour that represents
depression and melancholy. Moreover, the fact that the man presented is
wearing a wedding ring reveals that he is the man thats talking in the
voiceover, and the audience are aware immediately that he has a rather
menacing personality because of what he said. An effective mid-shot has
been incorporated in this shot. It is effective because, despite showing the
setting and the rest of the characters body, his emotions are still clear to
the audience. This has been done without the use of a close-up. The
character looks dazed and confused, creating enigmas that the audience
wish to solve. The denotation of the bins in the foreground, and the house
in the background creates a sense of normality for the audience, as this is
something they are familiar with and see in everyday life. A successful
match on action has been included in this aspect, to represent the
importance of the character. The soundtrack plays a distinct ringing noise
throughout, which is uneasy on the ears. This could have been used to
resemble the feelings the characters in the film.