Shameless Opening Sequence Analysis

The title sequence I have decided to analyse is shameless. The reason I chose shameless was because, the title sequence is one of the most informing opening to a TV drama I know. Within the first second, there is an establishing shot of old tower residential tower blocks, which sets the scene for the whole drama. Shameless is based on people who live off benefits, and who live in these tower blocks, so within the first second of seeing the opening, the audience can get a feel for what the program is actually about.
The shots within the title sequence are quick, establishing shots, portraying the life of these people. The different shots include a flats, surrounded by concrete, highlighting the city life, rather than the green countryside, which also sets the scene. Other shots include; a pub with barbed wire around it, insinuating crime, and violence, which is one of the main points of the program.
Frank narrates the opening of the program, by walking around where he lives, explaining about ‘Chatsworth estate’, and “pubs and drugs”, which instantly shows the audience what the show is going to be about.
The opening features short clips from the season of the show, which explains the story line, which is about to unfold, and also, furthermore highlights the genre of the show, and what is included in it (drugs, violence, sex, alcohol, political issues, ect)
Within the first 30 seconds, there was 40 different shots, which highlights the fact of the fast paced, action filled drama. The fast paced camera shots, also match the rhythm of the fast paced families the story is about.
During the opening, a few clips of each character appear, which is very effective, because it gives the audience a brief opening to what each character is like, and what they will expect of each character.

Analysing shameless, made me realise that it relates to the work we did on stereotypes, because throughout the opening, the characters are portrayed in this “chav” –like persona. They are all wearing clothes, which could be related to the image people associate with chavs, or perhaps anti-social people. The characters often wore sports wear, and/or high street labels, such as umbro.

Most of the opening is set outside, showing the environment of where the drama is set, and highlighting the living conditions.
In my opinion, the opening to Shameless is intriguing, because the storylines which take place in the opening, for example the drugs, and violence, don’t have any association with me, because I don’t live in an environment which is surrounded by drugs, and violence. Therefore it makes me want to learn more, about this society I am unfamiliar with, therefore inactivating me, resulting in me wanting to carry on watching the rest of the episode.