\”Sex and the City\” Title Sequence
Title sequences, seen at the beginning of films and TV shows, utilize sound and visual elements that change over time. They not only introduce the production team and actors, but also relate to the content of the film or show. The title sequence of the television show “Sex and the City” features the two prominent elements of the show, New York City (the setting) and Carrie Bradshaw (the main character). The upbeat musical accompaniment and the visual elements helps convey the tone and mood of the program.
The title sequence effectively uses the elements of visual design. Reviews of “Sex and the City” have often said that New York City is the fifth character in the show, so to establish the setting of New York, the designer created a pattern by including city images of landmarks like the Twin Towers and the Brooklyn Bridge. These images benefit from a skewed perception as the camera captures them at a usual angel. The designer also incorporates symmetry into the sequence through the shot of the Brooklyn Bridge that has identical vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines. These shots add interest to the sequence. The title sequence also uses repetition by showing different angels of the actress’s face as she walks down the street. Because we see the actress multiple times throughout the sequence despite three other actresses being credited in the sequence, it is clearly established that she is the main character. The title sequence also shows repetition in the shot of traffic and taxicabs. The multiple taxis remind the viewers that the fast-paced comedic show takes place in a bustling city.
The designer incorporated color contrast into the title sequence by using alternating between white, black, and grey text. The title sequence also incorporates contrast by positioning the actress, who has blonde hair and is wearing a pink tank top and matching tutu, against a less vibrant setting of a city street with pollution, grey skies, and pedestrians wearing dark colors. The images of the city (buildings, bridges, taxi cabs, etc.) are shown muted with a blue wash over them, this creates visual interest so when we see the actress wearing bright colors, our attention is immediately drawn to her. This visual element is indicative of the character of Carrie Bradshaw herself, as she has become known for her outrageous sense of fashion, thus the sequence relates well to the content of the show.
