TV Drama Title Sequences

Narcos

The title sequence used for the Netflix series Narcos uses a number of conventions, from music to camerawork to illustrate the overall theme of the TV drama.

I split the sequence into three sections; each section represents a different theme that the show includes. The first section of the sequence introduces the main plot of the show, which is the investigation and tracking down of the infamous Pablo Escobar; we are shown various shots of high tech equipment, diagrams and maps to represent this main story associated around the DEA. We are then shown the next main topic associated with the show, money and cocaine.

Already the audience is familiar with what the show is about. We are then later introduced to a luxurious aspect of the series though the shots of attractive women and private planes. This first section illustrates the overall theme of the show: the DEA, money, drugs and luxury. 

The music used helps create an exotic feel to the sequence, as it is associated with the country of Brazil and the language of Spanish. The music plays a key role to help create the sinister tone later on in the sequence.

The whole sequence is shown in a rustic filter to help create the feeling of the show being based on true events in the 80’s. The shots are made to look as if it is found footage which most of it actually is.

The second section introduces Pablo himself, but surrounded by nature, animals and friends; the music helps accompany this as it begins to sound a lot more pleasant. 

 Shortly after this section, the music becomes more sinister as we are shown the destruction of buildings and real footage of the deaths of police back then. This third section severely contrasts the first two section’s themes to allow the audience to understand the horror of the Medellin cartels actions back in the 80’s.

The sequence finishes with an Ariel shot of Medellin, where the drama mostly takes place

True Detective

The title sequence keeps a similar theme throughout; a number of double exposure shots are used against a white background. The sequence follows similar conventions to the Narcos intro, in which they give a flavour of the shows themes through the images and colours. Whereas Narcos used very exotic colours, true detective uses more pastel colours. This is to illustrate he dark and bleak theme that is used throughout the series.

The show revolves around the main characters feelings about a past case and how they fight their own buried demons, the double exposure effect is an excellent way of representing the main characters internal feelings about the case. Images of fire, derelict factories and locations from the series show the emotions felt by the characters.

The title sequence manages to capture the main themes of the show through the images they use; themes that include murder, religion and prostitution.

The music used for the title sequence, similar to Narcos, represents the era and location used in the show. In true detectives case, it is set around southern America in the 1990's, so the music used is typical for this location.

Overall, the title sequence follows similar conventions as the title sequence for Narcos; they use the appropriate colours and images that represent the overall theme and feel of the show. They both show the main characters and create a theme around them that matches them in the actual show and use music that is appropriate for the location, era and theme of the show.