Analysis of an Opening Sequence: The Number 23

THE TITLES

Denotation:

• 
  
  Opening of the sequence fades up from black, the first shot introducing the film studio, "NEW LINE CINEMA presents".
• A cut to the next shot introduces the production company, "a CONTRAFILM/ FIRM FILMS production"
• The director, Joel Schumacher is introduced in the next shot.
• There is a quick cut of what appears to be the number 23 repeated over and over again in the shot.
• The protagonist, Jim Carrey is introduced, whilst in the next shot, the title of the film, The Number 23 is shown.
• Following these titles, there are various facts about the number 23, for instance "THERE ARE 23 LETTERS IN THE LATIN ALPHABET"
• In addition to the facts about the number 23, the titles also include other actors and actresses e.g. Mark Pellegrino and  members of the technical and creative team e.g associate producer LINDA HALL
• The shots and titles jerk around the screen.
• The end title shows the number 23 disappearing under spreading blood.

Connotations:

• The typewriter style font used is suggestive of the old fashioned typewriters used prior to the invention of computers. This suggests that the number 23 has historic significance in our society and is of great relevance to both the audience and the film.
• The use of capital letters for the names of the actors and members of the technical and creative team help them stand out from the sequence.
• The facts regarding the number 23 written out all in capital letters show that they have great significance to the film.
• The words and sentences often appearing in red connote danger and death.
• The number 23 repeated again and again connotes obsession.
• The shots and titles jerking around the screen unnerve the audience, causing physical and emotional discomfort. It suggests that the rest of the film will be as jerky and unnerving as the titles are.
• The last shot connotes how everything connected with the number 23 will end in death and destruction.

The Graphics

Denotations:

• Spreading blood spatter over the shots and titles.
• Changing typography (always changing to the number 23)

Connotations:

• The blood connotes danger and death, while its spreading over the shots suggests that this danger and death will spread over all events in the film.
• The typography constantly changing to the number 23 suggests that all events in and people are related to it in the film.

THE MUSIC

• The constant drumming in the background keeps the pace fast moving, not allowing the audience to settle down.
• The sharp noises are meant to throw the audience out of their comfort zone.
• Increasing pitch heightens tension