Dexter Opening Sequence - Analysis.

(Dexter - Tv Show 2006 - Present)

Back Story:
 Dexter works as a blood spatter pattern expert for the Miami Metro police department. But by night - he takes on an entirely different persona one of a serial killer. however he only kills people who fit a very prolific and precise "moral code" (those who have been wrongly set free) taught to him by his late father Harry.

Summary:
The opening sequence to the TV show, shows the morning routine of  the main character Dexter. We see him complete a number of tasks that include waking up, shaving, eating and getting dressed before leaving for work all of which happen in a linear sequence. However the way these task are pictured in the opening sequence suggests his serial killer persona. Making the audience afraid of what is going on, on screen to be relived when the bigger picture is that of something innocent.

How are the themes, groups and characters represented?

• Themes - The Themes used within this opening sequence all correlate to sinister behaviour, as the shots used suggest cutting, slicing, strangling and smothering all of which are considered sinister.
• Characters- Throughout we only see one individual character and his perspective of the morning. The character of Dexter is portrayed in a combination of ways as to the audience as what he is doing looks much worst until it is made clear. Therefore his representation changes throughout from innocent to guilty of something to innocent again.

Camera Techniques:

• Micro Shots - Throughout this opening sequence micro shots are dominantly used This is to convey a small piece and or an important detail of the story in this case. A number of micro shots are used as there help translate the story of something dark happening fooling the audience as not much is being shown letting them jump to conclusions before the whole picture has been revealed.
• Close ups- not many close ups are used in this piece as most of the story telling is done but the micro shots. A close up is used to get the (facial) reactions of a character. In this case the close up is used near to the end as Dexter is getting dressed, as he pulls the shirt over himself an imprint of his face can be seen, suggesting that someone is being smothered. Once his pulls his shirt down, the close up allows us to see he is lost for breathe as smothering stops the ability to breath adding a nod to that.
• Mid shot- A mid shot is used in the final scene to show Dexter leaving his house to leave for work symbolising his morning routine is over. As well as the facial expression on his face, a kind of evil smirk showing the audience he is aware of their suspicions.

Editing:

• The editing in this opening sequence is in time with the pace of the soundtrack that accompanies this piece. Throughout there is a normal cutting rate between shots however the overall speed of the shots are slow to allow the minor details to be seen as they add to the effect of the shot for example the juice of the orange squirting out, during the scene in which is it being cut with a large knife.

Mise-En-Scene: Location, lighting, Costume, Props and Make up.

• Location: Throughout there are a number of locations used all of which are rooms within the house such as bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
• Lighting: The lighting used throughout continuously changes depending on the shot. At times the lighting is low, this is used to help contribute to the fact that the view is unsure as to what they are seeing raising their suspicions of what is happening. And at other times the shots are filmed with bright lighting to again contribute to unsure of what is happening in the scene as the over use of brightness helps the audience focus on one particular detail with effectively makes them jump to conclusions. 
• Costume: Through this piece there is hardly any costumed used in shot. Only the clothing used at the end as Dexter leaves his house. He is dressed in a causal way suggesting that he is an average man therefore giving others around no reason to suspect him for any of the murders he has committed.
• Props: This opening sequence relies heavily on the props used within to convey the questionable sinister tone. The props used in this piece are fake blood, which can been seen during the shaving scene as drops fall on the bowl of the sink. The food used in the cooking sequence, Floss which is used to make it looks like a strangling is going to be take place And T-shirt which looks as if somebody is being smothered.
• Make Up: In this Opening sequence their is not a lot of make up used if any is, it is most likely used on Dexter to help his features show up more on camera. as well as possibly the blood used in the bathroom scene while shaving in mirror.

Sound - dialogue, ambient sound track, or music other:

• Soundtrack: Throughout there is no dialogue used, only the same consistence soundtrack piece throughout. This piece of soundtrack acts as a contrast to the suggested sinister imaged used on screen as the soundtrack is upbeat and positive.
• Other: while the soundtrack is playing, particularly in the kitchen scene the use of diegetic sound. The diegetic sound used during the kitchen scene takes place during the cooking of breakfast. Here we can hear the sizzling of the meat, cracking of eggs, cutting of food and finally eating the food, all of which can be heard under neither the consistent soundtrack piece.

Who are the target audience?

Dexter is a television series that is designed to appeal to a target audience of 18 and over because of its chilling, innovative and stimulating as well as containing graphic scenes of violence. Its dominant target audience would be adult males who are fans of film and TV shows that are in the genre of Thrillers, Horrors, as the themes of this program are though not commonly associated with females therefore the majority of male viewers would be larger than the majority of female viewers.

What ideas can you take to help you in your own short film?

By looking at this piece as I case study I have been inspired but a few elements used within this piece. The first includes the suggested sinister theme. I have been inspired by this as it is an intelligence way to suggest something bad is happening without haven't to visually carry out the issue, meaning this would make our short film story easier to tell as having to carry out the 'problem' maybe difficult or not possible to carry out due to budget or the way it looks on screen.

The second is the use of Micro shots. The micro shots are used in this piece as an interesting way of suggesting and allowing the audience to raise suspicions as to what is taking place on screen. In my short film, I will include a few micro shots to all the audience to focus on a key point of detail to the story as well as the suggestive element in the way this opening sequence does.