Shape Theory

We started our class by sharing ideas of the connotations of these shapes:

The overall impression of the triangle was negative in contrast to the circle which was interpreted as being more approachable and positive. The rectangle however, wasn't neither to one side but appeared as a bold and straightforward to everyone. After the discussion, we tried to apply this theory  into our analysis of the opening of a TV show called "Dexter".

From this opening we are able to determine the general theme and genre of the TV series which is crime film and mystery. The sequence is composed of a series of clips showing a man doing his morning daily routine before heading off to work. Although this sounds very ordinary, the director smartly uses extreme close up shots of certain objects and actions to create a disturbing image for their viewers. A lot of these shapes are used in a way to suggest the audience the idea of violence:

The sequence starts with Dexter innocently killing a mosquito and smiling at the bloody bite mark. This is followed by drops of blood on the main character's name "Dexter" suggests injury and death that he will be involved in (he is a Forensics Expert and a serial killer). This also makes the audience want to carry on watching as they want to find out where the blood is from.

Here, we can see a triangular knife slowly slicing through the red meat. The colour of the meat is light pink, making the audience feel slight sick as the close-up makes it seem like it is human flesh being cut since the previous shots show human skin and blood dripping. The shape of the cut is a triangle as well, which reinforces the connotations we had about the shape, being violent and harmful.

The objects that were being cut are circle in shape therefore implies the sense of disruption and violence. We are able to see the small droplets of the orange juices spraying out while being cut, suggesting blood since the background is also a deep red colour.

This shot shows Dexter carefully putting on his T-shirt and holding it tight to his face where we are able to slightly see his nose and mouth. By Dexter holding extending and emphasising this movement expresses the idea of suffocation which is a method of murder.

Dexter's opening sequence succeeds in creating a very smooth transition which gradually exposes the violence and Dexter’s true nature. Initially, Dexter's face is obscured and not shown as we can only see some extreme close up parts of him (the stubble on Dexter's neck, his fingernails) as we approach the ending of the title sequence, Dexter's face becomes clearer to the audience.