True Detective is an American TV drama about 2 detectives (played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson). The story uses multiple timelines to trace two Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division homicide detectives' hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana across seventeen years.

Imagery is a strong implement in the title sequence of True Detective. The main concept is of the city, which seems to be being destroyed; at the beginning of the sequence we see actual footage of the city then a map of the city and then fire and destruction, from then on the images of the city are of individual parts, for example: the playground and the final shot of the 2 detectives beside the car. This shot also gives the idea that the detectives are looking over the city and are viewing a case. This is backed up by the beginning shots where the city is shown inside the outline of the 2 detectives, showing that the city is, in fact, part of them. Visually, we were inspired by photographic double exposures.

Another strong piece of imagery in the title sequence is religious symbolism, for example: the crucifixes, crosses and contrast between industrial and natural scenery. The audience get the impression of ‘good cop’ – ‘bad cop’ or hell and heaven. In one shot we see a topless Matthew McConaughey rising from the flames at the bottom of the screen, a crucifix upon a hill also comes into focus in the background. McConaughey’s head is hung forward, in front of his chest, this reminds us of the traditional position of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is also symbolism of purity in the sequence; portrayed through a picture of a naked woman with her body filled in with a flower pattern, this could show the connection between her  body and the nature perspective of the flowers, both of the things mentioned are considered to be made by God.

Text in the sequence is reasonably minimalistic, the director probably wanted to shift the focus away from reality and into the diegesis of the show; Woody Harrelson becomes detective Marty Hart. The text shifts along with the images, which makes the scene look 3D, and again almost like the audience is travelling into the diegesis and becoming engrossed with the show, however we found that in this case it evoked a surreal and ‘floaty’ mood that perfectly captured what we were after. At the end of the sequence the directors name (Nic Pizzolatto) is repeated three times to emphasises his importance in the production of the show, ensuring that the audience remembers him.

The music used in the title sequence is a mixture between Western and Blues; it is very melodic and yet again brings the audience into the world of the film and makes you feel like you are in Louisiana. The song is also sung by 2 separate voices, male and female, this also backs up the idea of ‘good cop’ - ‘bad cop’ and heaven and hell.  The lyrics also portray elements of sexual desires, as well as danger. “When I touch her skin” suggests that the two detectives have different focus points. One cop is only concerned about his social statues, and the other fully engrossed in his job, and the task on hand.

- By Micah & Aaron