Deconstruction of the tile sequence from "Lone Survivor"

1. DECONSTRUCTION OF
A TITLE SEQUENCE
LONE SURVIVOR
(2013, PETER
BERG)

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Lone Survivor is a thriller war-film, based on
the memoirs of Lt. Marcus Luttrell (US Navy
SEAL). The film is set during the war in
Afghanistan, and retells the failed US Navy
SEAL counter insurgent mission Operation
Red Wings, in which a four man
reconnaissance was tasked to track Taliban
leader Ahmad Shaw. During the operation, the
team were discovered by a group of Afghan
goat herders, which lead to an attack from
Taliban insurgents and the deaths of Luttrell’s
three comrades.
The opening sequence makes use of real life
Navy footage, and therefore does not introduce
the main characters or main narrative of the
film; the sequence instead acts to provide
essential context for the rest of the film.

3. FIRST IMPRESSIONS
From the beginning of the sequence,
Universal Pictures are credited very
early on, as the film credits the main
sources of funding; all of the
companies are introduced
successively, in order to engage the
fact that the film is a true story. The
highest billing actor and star of the
film, Mark Wahlberg, is also the first
cast member to be credited.
Immediately, the audience are thrust into the world
of the Navy SEALs; the way in which the soldier is
being dragged out of the water indicates the
exhaustion and hardship he is enduring, which is
reinforced by his shivering and the silver cap (Mise
en Scene) to show the freezing temperature. The
cold colors of the shots are used to show the
hostile, sub-zero environment, which causes the
audience to feel uncomfortable as they relate with
the emotions of the soldiers for the first time.
The US Navy logo on the top of the
Doctors hat makes use of the Hypodermic
Needle Theory, as information is injected into
the audience using a cultural code/symbol, that
provides context for the audience and
introduces the genre and subject of the film.

4. MOVIE TITLE AND FONTS
The movie title uses binary
opposition of black and white
to make the wording standout;
the white writing can signify
the purity and the good
intentions of Lt. Luttrell,
surrounded by the dark,
hostile environment around
him.
Like the movie title, the text used in the
credits is simple and square in shape,
aligned uniformly. This represents the
discipline and the regimental lifestyle
that the Navy SEALs train and live
within, which is required for them to
pass out. The simplicity of the text
draws the attention of the audience
whilst still reinforcing the images in the
background; the use of white helps the
text stand out against the darker
backgrounds.
The text is the only thing that is
present in the shot, which
symbolizes the isolation and the
loneliness of Lt. Luttrell, and
emphasizing the idea of a
“Lone Survivor”.

5. USE OF EDITING
The title sequence uses
montage editing, combining real
life footage and images into a
sequence with a duration of
2mins 57secs. The use of
montage allows the director to
provide a large amount of
information and context to the
audience in a short space of
time; this injects the audience
with information and enhances
their anticipation of the
upcoming film.
In places, the sequence
shows a succession of
several still shots that build
up as if showing an actual
video sequence, before
finishing on a powerful
image. This use of editing
builds up emotion for the
audience as well as
differentiating the pace of
the film that it being shown
on screen, retaining the
audience’s attention
throughout.

6. SEMIOLOGY
The sequence uses explicit use of semiology throughout to convey messages to the audience.
The bell in the sequence acts as a
symbol of failure and admittance to
defeat for the Navy SEALs in training;
the way in which the soldier rings the
bell with delight after passing his
training indicates the level of
temptation that giving up has for the
trainees, indicating how difficult and
exhausting the training is for them.
The ropes that tie the
ankles of the soldiers
illustrates the idea of
entrapment and
helplessness the trainees
have during the drowning
incident has; it reinforces
the fact that these training
methods are severe and
real to the audience.
The colors that the soldiers wear act symbols
and messages to the audience; the green
camouflage used indicates the military themes
within the film. The trainees also wear white in
places, which act as symbol of the purity and
righteousness that these soldiers possess; this
develops Preferred Reading for the audience, as
the film suggests that American SEALs are true
American heroes, that fight and train to protect
the lives of the innocent

7. USE OF STILL IMAGES
Still images are implemented frequently in this title sequence. These allow for the audience to
notice more details in particular scenes, enhancing their understanding of the film’s context. As
the film uses real life footage these images help to compensate for this, as well as diversify the
picture on screen to keep the audiences attention.
These images also help to evoke emotional
responses from the audience; images that
feature soldiers covered in mud or facial
expressions of extreme discomfort develop
sympathy in the audience for the soldiers,
that carries on for the rest of the film, so that
he preferred reading can be uptake by the
audience. The use of Mise-en-scene here
also helps the audience to relate to the
discomfort of the soldiers and develop further
understanding of their dedication.
Another image used effectively is
the picture of the soldiers after
passing out; the expressions and
the body language used in this
photo indicates the team cohesion
and love that the SEAL brothers
have for one another, introducing a
key theme of team work to the
audience.

8. TODOROV’S
NARRATIVE THEORY
The title sequence follows the idea of Todorov’s 5 part narrative structure.
1-A group of Navy soldiers are in the midst of training to become SEALs.
(Equilibrium)
2-The training proves to be extremely difficult for the soldiers to complete
(Disruption to equilibrium)
3-Some soldiers realize the training too difficult, and have to drop out, whilst others
continue to fight through it, and find it easier. (Realization to the equilibrium
change)
4-The soldiers have to take one last effort to push through he hardships in order to
succeed (Attempt to restore equilibrium)
5-The soldiers pass and become Navy seals (Restored/new equilibrium created)
The use of this theory helps to form a narrative structure within the title sequence
that the audience can follow, in order to understand the journey that Navy SEALs
undergo for success.

9. SOUND
Sound plays a key roll in the effectiveness of this sequence. The
use of music reflect the idea of Todorov’s Narrative Theory, with
the music building and becoming more upbeat in tone as the
soldiers succeed and accomplish their dreams; the tone of the
music is very reflective, as the audience questions whether they
could accomplish such training. This same backing track is used
later on the film during he death of one of Lutrell’s team mates,
indicating how the training he underwent prepared him for such a
moment.
The sequence makes use of synchronous and asynchronous
sound; the synchronous sound used from the real life footage is
highly emotive, helping to reinforce the emotion and provide
insight into the philosophies used by the US Navy. Asynchronous
sound is also used, such as the sound of the bell, which creates a
sound bridge in places to indicate how thoughts of failure are
always present in the minds of the soldiers.

10. EVOKING RESPONSES
FROM THE AUDIENCE
The use of real life footage is extremely effective in evoking a
response from the audience; the elements of realism help the
audience to relate to the soldiers on a stronger emotional level,
preparing them to emphasize with the characters in the upcoming
film.
The way in which the sequence uses its Macro and Micro elements
act as a form of propaganda for the US Navy; the way in which the
soldiers are presented indicates that they are hardworking and
courageous warriors, who gives everything they have in order to
serve and protect their country. This evokes a sense of pride and
respect for the US Navy from the audience, encouraging support for
the work that they do.
The way the film also shows the happiness that the soldiers have
after passing out can be seen as form of inspiration, that may
encourage others to join the US Navy.

11. HINTS FOR
UPCOMING FILM
A major theme of the film is the idea of Teamwork and Brotherhood,
which is first introduced during this voice overs:
“I like having my buddies to depend on; I’d like to think they can
depend on me”.
“you guys are our band of brothers”
These quotes indicate how important the idea of team work is in the
Navy SEALs, which is demonstrated in the film as the unit fight to the
very end for one another, exhibiting extreme sadness and distress
when their team mates are killed. It also helps demonstrate how hard
it is for Marcus Lutrell to live with the decision to release the goat
herders on the mountainside, for now he has to live with the deaths
of his three closest friends; this is an indication of how difficult being
a Lone Survivor is for a SEAL.

12. SILENT NIGHT
At the climax of the title sequence, a clip
is shown of a group of soldiers singing
silent night during a training exercise,
even though the audience have already
seen the soldiers pass out form training.
This clip is used as a symbol to indicate
that the battle never truly ends for a Navy
SEAL, as they have to remain 100% fit
and could be thrust into demanding
situations at any time, where there lives
are on the line, such as those involved in
Operation Redwings.
The clip also acts as a means of re-directing
the mindset f the audience; after
seeing a scene of happiness, the clip re
establishes the fact that they are about to
see a terrible incident, in which a number
of men lost there lives. This helps to
enhance there emotional appreciation of
the film.