Analysis of opening sequence to One Hour Photo

The opening titles of the film use non-diegetic sound which creates an eerie feel and generates suspense. The titles flash on the screen like a camera when they transition into the next set of titles. the layout of the title sequence is also like a camera screen.

The first shot is a medium shot of the camera used to take mugshots of the man in questioning, there is a long pause and the motif begins to get louder and faster, increasing the intensity. Until the camera flashes then there is a black out. The opening location is a police station, which tells the audience that the man in questioning has committed a crime. This tells the audience that this film is a crime thriller.  

The camera used for the mugshots is old fashioned. This film was based in 2002 and since then there has been a rapid increase in the development in technology. However, at this time the camera used probably would have been the state of the art professional. 

The rooms in the police station are always empty and have the maximum of two characters in them, for example the investigation room and an office. This creates uncertainty for the audience or could imply that this scene takes place in the middle of the night, so people would not usually be around. 

During the investigation the man in questioning and therefore the audience are not allowed to see the photographs inside the file. This creates suspense and further questioning because whatever the crime this man has committed is in that file. Because the man asks to see the photographs, we get this idea that he is proud of what he has done.

We are first introduced to the main character when the camera flashes and we see a mug shot on a screen. The main character is a middle aged man, he is dressed respectfully and doesn't look like your typical criminal.

The investigator is polite to the man in questioning, for example he makes it clear that he does not have to ask any questions until his lawyer is present, this connotes that the criminal is unstable and should seek as much help as he can.