Textual Analysis of a title sequence: Hannibal

Hannibal is a visually enticing TV thriller that aired between 2013 and 2015
based on the classic novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, following the events
in the life of the notorious serial killing cannibal, Hannibal Lector, and tortured
detective, Will Graham. The opening sequence reflects the overall abstract, vivid
and artistic sequences that await in the show itself and give you a taste of whats
to come.
The title sequence itself takes place on a white background and shows flows of
what is presumably blood or perhaps red wine across the shot, forming faces and
resting in the shape of the lead characters face, whilst the names of the lead
actors in the show and the name of the person adapting the book for TV,
appearing beside the red liquid in the same crimson colour, all the while a
disturbingly eerie theme is played over the sequence.
The red liquid on the white background is extremely effective as it represents
the purity of the majority of characters, overthrown by the translucent flow of
ruby red that could represent the evil lurking among them. In my opinion, the
liquid could be red wine, made to look like blood, or vice versa, which is linked to
the thriller/horror genre. Also, the theme of red wine is apparent throughout the
series, as it keeps viewers guessing whether Hannibal Lector is truly drinking red
wine or if he is in fact drinking human
blood.
The sound in the sequence is minimal yet
effective for the thriller genre. The sound
effects in the background are heard when
the titles appear on the screen in the
same flowing action as the red liquid
movement, starting off quiet, becoming
louder, then fading back out as the titles
themselves disappear. The sound itself is
sharp uncomfortable sound, mimicking
the disturbing the themes of the programme ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz3qclEk5kI