Dexter Opening Sequence case study

Synopsis: Dexter’s a blood spatter-pattern special analyst for the Miami metro police department, who also leads a secret life as a serial killer.

Summary: the opening credits of the TV show depict the morning routine of Dexter.  We see the mundane tasks of Dexter such as: shaving, getting, dressed and eating. These simple tasks are given a sinister edge by multiple micro shots and suspious drops of red to create the theme of blood.

Themes: blood is major theme in the opening sequence. It is effectively used in order to create a sense of unease in the audience. The multiple shot featuring a sharp knife, again illustrates a far more sinister picture than what is actually happening. Death or murder is the biggest theme of the opening sequence, with implications of strangling, smothering and slicing.

Characters: only one character (Dexter) is apparent all throughout the opening credits. Despite their only being one person present, the sequence implies shades if guilt to the cheeky play of innocence with Dexter smiling. These mixed messages of good and bad quickly establish that the character of Dexter isn’t what he may seem to be.

Camera techniques:

Micro shots: A large fraction of the opening sequence features micro shots. It is used to focus on what seems to be quite injurious behaviour (putting on the t shirt). These shot a detrimental in transferring the idea to the audience that there is something malevolent about this character. However these shots are countered by the final scene which is a mid-shot of Dexter leaving his house with a cheeky smile. For all the micro shots used in the opening sequence this is the first time the audience is shown the full picture. What’s intriguing to note is that the seemingly friendly character Dexter shows the world is a complete contradiction to what is implied behind closed doors. Furthermore the micro shots also suggests that if people were to focus more on Dexter, like the audience have been inclined to do, you would find cracks in the facade of Dexter. Close ups are again used to foreshadow something ominous about Dexter.

Editing:  The editing of the opening sequence is used to bare minimum with most of the editing focusing to cut in sync with the accompanying soundtrack. The sequence switches from slowing the speed of the scene as shown with the slowing down of the coffee grinder, to a quick cut of the same scene. This is effective in showing the passing of time, also the slowed down scene aid in showing the minuscule details such as the orange juice squirting out as Dexter cuts it. These are all visual metaphors for the oddity of Dexter’s life.

Mise-En-Scene: Location – the opening sequence is situated in his house and features Dexter’s bathroom and kitchen.

Costume - When the audience see’s Dexter’s full profile for the first time, he is dressed quite casually in a shirt and light trousers. This casual appearance reinforces the image that Dexter is trying to show everyone.

Props – A number of props are used during the opening sequence, most notably the fake blood and knifes used in the cooking sequence.  

Sound: no dialogue is used throughout the credits. The piece of music played is quite jaunty, adding a sense of creepiness. In addition to this, there are diagetic sounds, particularly in the kitchen scenes with the sound of sizzling and cutting.

From this opening sequence, there is major points and directions that have inspired me. The main one is the use of micro shots, and in the way they create a sinister feel to them without need any dialogue to explain to the audience what they are trying to convey. Furthermore the way they have used subtle drops of blood to indicate and imply the act of murder is something that I found to be a very effective and efficient way to allow the audience to create the idea of what is going on on-screen.