American Psycho Title Sequence

For this next part of our project we were instructed to research an example film of our genre.Then research what they did for the opening titles of the film. One of the example films we choose is the movie American Psycho. Directed by Marry Harron, made in 2000, this horror film told a story of  a wealthy New York City investment banking executive that had an alter ego that had a psychotic urge for killing. The reason we chose this film was because the opening of this horror film has great images that makes the audiences think about whats happening.
1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
       While watching the movie American Psycho, my group and I watched and notice thirty opening titles. These titles went from the beginning to 04:26 minutes in the movie.
2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
       In the first part of the movie sequence, it shows what looks to be drops of blood dripping onto a white background. A few sends later we soon find out the substance that looks like blood is actually a red sauce that is being poured onto a dinner dish. Along with the "blood" the camera shows a big, sharp knife that swing up to then chop a big piece of meat. The sequence then continues to show what seems to be a normal group of men, then only to show the main character yelling in a psychotic why to a bartender in a loud and crowded bar.
3. What connotations do the images carry?
      The images that were shown in the opening sequence of this movie made the audience think that the red sauce was blood and that in the knife scene someone was probably going to stab someone. The images gave a feeling of surprise when the audience finds out the images were not what they seemed. The image of the main character shows how easily he can turn his psychotic alter ego on and off.
4.How is genre reinforced though symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
     The purpose of horror movies is to scare and to bring the feeling of fear into the audience. This film used the visuals of the "blood", the knife and the scene of the "American psycho" yelling at the bartender to bring the feeling of fear int the audiences. These scenes in the opening sequence gave an unsettling and eerie feeling to the beginning of the movie. The red sauce symbolized blood. When the audiences saw the red substance it reminded them of blood.
5. How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
      The film established an enigma from the outset by not establishing any specific characters or the plot. The film makers didn’t explain who the group of men were and where they were in the opening. The eerie scene when the main character yelling at the bartender created a tense and eerie feeling to the opening of the movie. This makes the audience entriged in the movie, ensuring the audience will watch the movie.
6.What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its targeted audience?
     Film makers will use many different tactics to ensure their films appeal to its targeted audiences. When people watch horror movies, they usually want scary and eerie aspects in their movies. The film makers use this and make sure to add these aspects into the title sequences to grab the audiences’ eye.
7. How has technology been used effectively?
      Technology has been used effectively by using technology to create the image of “blood” in the opening titles. Along with the CGI the editors also used technology for the eerie music that played in the background while the titles were rolling. All of these techniques come together to help reinforce the genre of horror in the film.