Fargo

Fargo (Coen Bros, 1996)


The sequence begins with production companies name on a black background which then changes to some white on black text informing the audience  'THIS IS A TRUE STORY.' The use of capitals and the white of the text immediately draws the audience to read what it says, also the statement about it being a true story with the other information in the text makes the audience on edge as they want to know what happened. Furthermore when the text appears a harp and piano starts playing in the background the use of these instruments gives an eerie effect and creates tension.  However on its own the music wouldn't generate this effect as it has the pragmatics of innocence and of something angelic, but by accompanying it with the text gives it a more sinister feel.

The text then fades out to a bluey white background this fog like colour has been used to disorientate the viewer in order to create narrative enigma as to what is going to appear next. The background remain this colour with only titles appearing on the screen until a bird appears into focus. The reason for the bird is to draw the audiences attention towards it, this is important because as the audience follows the bird with  their eyes it is used to then draw their attention to the car appearing in the distance. By doing this it builds the suspense as to who is in the car and what is the relevance of it. 

As the car starts coming over hill, loud drums and symbols start this creates tension for the audience and identifies to them the significance of the car. The car then moves into the foreground of the screen and travels past the camera where the title of the film then fades in and then out to show the car again, this identifies to the audience that the story line will focus on whoever is in the car. In addition the inclusion of the shot below of the travelling car, portrays that it is in a deserted area, this again adds to the suspense as to where they are.

The text of the titles are all in an uppercase font and black each are shown at the bottom of the screen where the first name is on the left and the second name on the right and spaced out, in exception for the title of the film which is placed in the middle of the image, this has been to show the importance of the text to the viewer. 

For each title that appears they all fade in and out  again, however the main title of 'Fargo' dissolves out. Similarly to the first names of the actors, text such as 'in association with' aren't spaced out this is done so that the text which then follows is prioritised. The titles that appear are as follows in chronological order;

• Poly Gram filmed entertainment presents
• In association with Working Title Films
• Frances McDormand
• William H. Macy
• Steve Buscemi
• Harve Presnell
• Peter Stormarve
• FARGO (main title)

After a tracking shot of the car the screen then fades to black where 'Fargo, North Dakota' appears on the black screen in white writing the screen then dissolves to the next image where the text remains at the bottom for a few moments, this is done place the audience where the film will take place.