Art of the Title - Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell

• The opening starts with a burst of green lines (possible circuitry), and then the Title 'Ghost in the Shell' appears in a pixellated typeface. This sets up the genre of the film: Sci-Fi
• We are then shown what appears to be a mechanical head with numerous panels open. The facial panel closes down onto the head. This both enforces the genre, and also creates the enigma of what/who this is.
• A CGI image of a brain is now displayed. The brain has a green square penetrate it, possibly scanning it. Having this shown after the image of the mechanical head, according to film grammar, possible symbolizes that the head has been programmed to simulate the mind.
• The first name appears, introduced by a wall of differentiating green numbers. These numbers represent computer code .
• The back of the head is shown, with more of its panels being closed. At this point, choir music kicks in. Choir singing is a natural instrumentation, which contrasts with the technical theme we're presented with.
• A pan from top-to-bottom is shown. At first, it seems like a skinned human body, but as we reach further up the body, it becomes apparent that this is the machine the head belongs to. This surprises the viewer - where they may have been expecting a robot, they are instead met with a mix of the two.
• Another wall of numbers appears, introducing another name.
• A high shot shows a peculiar location, which appears to be some sort of factory. The room is only lit by two pools of water -  the rest of the scene is rather dim. Two men wearing long, dark red robes are visible - red is a symbol of passion, or blood.
• We then see a woman's body flowing though water in lit pipes. Everything has a blue/green tinge to it, suggesting sadness/remorse.
• A window into a bright tank is shown, with the two men shown before looking into. The woman's body flies into view. It is apparent that the body has seams all over it - film grammar suggests that this is the robot/biological body we saw before.
• The body then flows upwards into a creme coloured film.
• Another CGI image is shown - it represents what we would see emerging on the other side of the film, but smoother.
• Another wall of numbers reveals four names.
• The body is now shown emerging from the film. It is now much smoother, and possesses hair. This suggests that the mecha is made to look like a woman - she has been given skin, hair and nipples on her breasts to make her seem more realistic. This also means that we can relate to this machine as a character rather than an object.
• Another wall of numbers reveals three more names.
• A rotating female figure is shown at a jaunty angle - it now looks much more natural. The face is not shown, as if not to reveal her identity.
• The 'camera' zooms to show her hands and posterior to show a sparkling effect appear. The viewer questions what this is at this stage.
• Another CGI figure appears - it mimics therotating figure seen before. The figure is being 'coloured in' in square patches - Squares have connotations of computers (pixels).
• A wall of numbers presents five names.
• A woman with blonde hair rises from water - is this the robot? Rising out of water symbolizes cleanliness and purity - getting out of the bath.
• The white 'skin' of the woman starts to peel away from the woman's skin, which is in normal skin tone. (The first area shown to have peeled is her breasts, which could symbolize a possible sexual encounter in this character's presence).
• Another wall of numbers reveals three names.
• A CGI render of a woman's body in the fetal position is shown. It is fully coloured, unlike the previous CGI images, which suggests that it is completed.
• The woman is then shown in the same position as the render, being dumped into water. This could suggest that the CGI renders are symbolism of the thoughts of either the woman seen, or who/whatever is in control of these occurences.
• Another wall of numbers leaves one name.
• Another shot showing the environment outside the water. Here, a red-coat wearing man surveys a machine that has a tank filling with water. The lighting around the tank has a pink-ish tinge to it, which could represent the tone of the woman's skin, whereas the lighting around the tank has a green tinge, which could symbolize poison or greed.
• A shot shows the woman traveling up a tube. This could be a visual metaphor towards being born - Babies leave their mother through a passage, as this new woman is doing.
• Another wall of numbers brings three names.
• The woman is shown rising from the tank from the front (again highlighting her breasts), and then from the back. Showing her from the back helps us see various markings on her back - four lumps on her neck, and a symbol between her shoulder blades. These remind us that she is artificial, and also for a second put us off her beauty.
• She is then seen floating in mid air, in a straight stance. A white light from above gives her angelic connotations - angels stereotypically float and survey the world around them.
• Another wall of numbers appears, revealing three names. It is then followed immediately by two other walls of numbers, revealing three names each.
• To end the sequence, we are shown a shot from the side of the woman's face, with her hair blowing. Although the reality is that here hair is probably being dried, it can symbolize her being in the wind - natural connotations, signifying that she is now a real woman.