From Concept To Screen : Dexter

In the opening title sequence of "Dexter", we see the normal everyday occurances of what appears to be a middle aged man, from the moment that he awakes. However, his actions have a somewhat sinister and weird  aspect which is conveyed by an odd, upbeat yet slightly austere non-diegetic music, which creates feelings that there is something odd and unexpected about this character. The actions of this character that may we may usually consider normal or acceptable are accompanied by close up camera shots, an unusual track and visible suspicious facial expressions of the character which convey an aspect of severity and weirdness of this character, and cause the audience to re-think that what he is doing is normal. The clever mise-en-scene and camera shots convey an aspect of violence to what would otherwise be considered normal. For example, the shot above shows him squashing a spider, something which an everyday person may do without thinking twice about, yet the diegetic sound of his hand smacking it convey an aspect of violence. The smug look on his face along with the non-diegetic music that accompanies this opening sequence convey an idea that there is something odd within this character, he appears to be getting joy out of taking the life of a living thing.

Again, the following shot also conveys an aspect of underlying violence to his typical actions. The blood on his arm where the spider previously was conveys thoughts typically associated with murder.

The title is in block capitals, writing which is completely normal and offers no obscurity, yet it is a deep red which conveys both violence, again again thoughts of murder. The smudges on the writing appear to be blood,  and it also demonstrates splatterings of it. Again this conveys feelings of violence. As the writing is fairly typical and of normal yet with a hint of the smudged blood, it backs up the idea that at first glance Dexter appears a normal character yet there is an underlying aspect of obscurity and violence.

Here is a shot with the protagonist looking in the mirror. There is a shallow depth of field which causes the audience to not be able to see his face clearly, again making the character seem slightly odd and perhaps intimidating. The sillouhette of his body is clearly visible, which conveys him as just a normal man, but the way in which his face is not visible again conveys obscurity on behalf of the character.  The lighting that is used is noir, creating an aura of darkness to what lies ahead and to the characteristics of this man. The fact that he is looking in the mirror and his face is still not visible suggests that maybe he is unsure of himself and is perhaps suffering with something mentally.

Again, this shot shows another reference to blood, along with the read typical style writing that appears in block capitals throughout the opening sequence. He is engaged in what is typical considered a normal everyday activity of a male: shaving. A male cutting skin resulting in bleeding is also a very normal thing to happen, yet this shot shows the blood slowly trickling down his neck, making us focus on it and creating feelings of unease as this opening sequence seems obsessive over the idea of blood. Again, the non-diegetic music that accompanies the opening title sequence make this everyday occurance seem all the more odd.

Again the feelings of murder are again apparent in this shot which shows him slicing through meat with a sharp knife. This is also something that is completely acceptable in everyday life, however the non diegetic sound which accompanies it is that of a slight tearing, a suspicious noise which is somewhat severe and conveys an aspect of violence. 

This is a typical breakfast associated with anybody that leads a typical British lifestyle. However, the tomato ketchup that is present on the plate appears suspicious after all the other references to blood. It creates an element of suspicion over whether this normal everyday condiment is what it first appears. Likewise to Dexter, there seems an underlying aspect and complexity to this character which first appears normal.

Shots which appear to have an underlying aspect of violence continually appear throughout the opening sequence, showing the protagonist engaging in his usual morning rituals yet with an aura of severity and uncomfort.