Themes and style
in title sequences
What’s the difference between the two?
A theme is the underlying idea that exists in a subject that acts like a
foundation for a particular piece of work or art or medium.
In title sequences, there may be a key theme in the film that is then
reflected in the title sequence. It gives the audience an indication of
what to expect regarding genre, location, narrative etc
For example: Dexter is a TV drama focusing on a blood spatter analyst
whom is also a serial killer. Blood is a key theme throughout the series.
How is this theme reflected
in the title sequence?
A similar theme is used in the titles for the film ‘American Psycho’
What theme is evident in the title sequence for
‘Game of thrones’?
• Style relates to the method and aesthetics. A style is
symbolic. In other words, how is something visually
created? Does it use an innovative editing
technique, colour or camera angles?
• These all create a style or look to the titles.
‘Superbad’ has a style. It uses a silhouette
in contrasting colours of the main actors
dancing. The low budget animation
effect, and colour scheme is a visual style.
It has little connection to the narrative or
genre of the film.
However, it also has a theme. The theme is
How is this communicated in the titles and why do you think that they have done this
when the film is not set in this time period?
How do the following titles create a style?
What style is used in this title sequence?
What themes are evident in this title sequence?
Does this use a theme or a style?
Cold openings may have a main title
(name of the film) but do not include
credits or even music. They go
straight into the film/TV show.
This is becoming popular in TV
drama where it is important to hook
the audience in before they become
This is less evident in film (although
In a blog post:
Explain the difference between ‘theme’ and
style’. Include and explain screen grabs from
titles that we have explored today to support
Choose one title that we have explored today
and analyse the theme and style created.
Watch the three part documentary before Mr
Coppard’s lesson on Tuesday