Research- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Fincher, 2011)

An example of the close ups.

The camera angles used are mainly close ups but their is the odd mid-shot shown, these are used so that the screen is filled with these abstract clips, all of the clips fit into the same theme, they do not give a lot away. This means the audience can not see a lot of the shot creating narrative enigma for the audience. Every shot has been chosen carefully and shows something different making the complex narrative structure used in Thriller films apparent.

The editing used are all mainly fast straight cuts, the cuts flow together to allow different parts of the theme to be shown, the cuts almost happen before something which will give away the narrative is revealed this helps to add towards the narrative enigma as the audience have so many questions that they want to be answered. Each clip last no longer than 3 seconds on screen then it cuts to something that is in contrast to this, this is done so that the audience are always on there toes about what is going to happen next allowing the ideas of a complex narrative structure to start being set in place.

This is the bright flame that appears on screen.

The mise-en scene in the opening section is all quite dull, all of the colours are mostly greys and blacks, this then contrasts to when the bright fire of the bird appears on the screen, this helps to make the audience feel at ease as the darkness is suddenly lost for a couple of seconds, while this orange flame is on the screen. The use of this recurring flame helps to create a narrative enigma for the audience, they want to know what this flame is. Also the use of the low-key lighting helps to keep some of the narrative hidden giving the idea that the film will consist of a complex narrative structure.

Throughout the entire opening sequence a metal rock band song is playing, this helps to create a different atmosphere as everything seems to become a little bit more creepy with the drums and singing exploding over the top of it, the music also helps to link into the theme that is trying to be shown as it is a metal band and most of the clips that are shown have something to do with metal in them. This helps to link to the narrative enigma as the audience are wondering what this is all about.

There is NO dialogue.

Creating Tension

When the soundtrack, clips, editing and mise-en scene are all merged together the opening sequence really puts the audience on edge of their seats. The clips are all this dark colour which in a cinema or dark room will make the room incredibly dark adding to the tension outside of the film, this then contrasts to the bright oranges of fire which could spook the audience.

The soundtrack over the top, is loud and heavy this helps to create tension as it helps link everything together over one theme, this then appeals to two of your senses instead of one creating a different approach to how tense and scared the audience will get.

Opening Titles 


Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present
A Scott Rudin, Yellow Bird Production
A David Fincher Film
Daniel Craig
Rooney Mara

An example of one of the Titles.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Christopher Plummer
Stellan Skarsgard
Steven Berkoff
Robin Wright
Yorick Van Wageningen
Joely Richardson
Geraldine James
Goran Visnjic
Donald Sumpter
Ulf Friberg
Casting By Laray Mayfield
Costume Designer Trish Summerville
Co-Producers Berna Levin, Eli Bush
Sound design by Ren Klyce
Music By Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Editors Kirk Baxter.ACE, Angus Wall.ACE.
Production Designer Donald Graham Burt
Director of Photography Jeff Croneweth, asc
Executive Produces, Steven Zaillian, Mikael Walllen, Anni Faubye Fernandez
Produced by Scott Rudin, Olde Sondberg, Soren Stermose, Cean Chaffin
Based on the book by Steg LArsson Originally Punlish by Norstedts
Screenplay by Steven Zallian
Directed by David Fincher


The titles are small in font, and are written in a posh house style like Times New Roman. They are mainly placed towards the left of the screen, but sometimes moved around depending on the clips that are being shown on the screen. The colour of the font is white, this is because it is on a black background and white will be the best colour to be seen. The titles appear with the straight cuts from the clips that have just been, they stay where they are and leave with the same clip at the next straight cut.