The title of the film is shown during the middle of the opening. The font seems like it is from a type writer and it appears quite crooked. It is in red, automatically suggesting that this film is quite evil, even the words themselves - 'The Reaping' connotes an unpleasant feeling. The title is placed on the right centre of the frame, leaving room for editing and quick shots at the left side. The fact that the words are quite small relates to the microscopic like shots. The words sink down the frame, this is a negative action. It is almost as if they are slowly sinking into water as the letters look like they are rippling slightly, this could relate to later events in the film.
The location is left unrevealed. We are unable to see the surroundings, the opening sequence is just focused on the subjects themselves and because we are zoomed in so much, we cannot see beyond these insects/creatures.
This opening sequence focuses on the detail and features on the surface of these frogs, flies, locusts and blood. No characters are even used, only images that reflect the nature of the biblical plagues. The title sequence consists of nothing else other than these subjects.
The camera work in this sequence is interesting, using macro photography as the shots mostly consist of extreme close ups. By doing this, we can really see the detail, pattern and texture in these creatures which we usually wouldn't notice. The camera has been focused in and out. As the shots have been speeded up so that this technique happens quickly it makes it seem more intrieging but also makes it harder to see. The framing appears to be carefully thought out, making sure that the shot doesnt show the full picture, but enough to give you an idea on what it might be. It also shows us the interesting parts on the body of each creature. It has been edited so that the shots are speeded up, by doing this it gives it a fast pace which will keep the viewers attention where as if we were to have long length shots of the surface of these creatures, the viewers are more likely to loose interest. Another way that this sequence has been edited is by including on going transitions between the shots, these are also fast pace and flow well with the sequence. They often consist of graphic splashes of blood or a plain black screen overlayed with credits. The overall appearance or feel to this opening sequence is as if we are looking through a microscope - some shots are edited so that we can only see it through a circle. The fact that it focuses in and out reflect the view of adjusting the focus on a microscope. It gives the clip a scientific feel.
All the titles are of the same font and colour, however they appear in different parts of the frame. They all seem to ripple and slowly glide in a direction. Some are of a bigger scale than others, this probably depends on the importance of the job role or the length of the writing in the frame. The transitions between the titles vary. Each letter either disappears in a random order or morphs into the next title.
By using these creatures - frog, fly, locust and shots of blood, it makes us think why these specific creatures. As the opening only shows shots of these subjects it is then obvious that they play a big role in the film. The film is about strange natural phenomena occuring, simular to the ten biblical plagues so by having these shots, it is relevant to the story and gives us an idea on what it is about.
The overall look of the opening is quite dark. Red is a dominant colour throughout, making it seem blood related. Because of the use of insects and frogs being magnified, it seems quite scientific. This scientific theme is common in the thriller genre. All the shots are close ups which restricts the viewer to only a small sample of the creature. Not showing the full picture is common in thriller films.
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