‘The West Wing’ Title Sequence Review

This week in Visual Literacy, we were asked to review a title sequence of a TV show or movie and assess its artistic content. I chose to examine the opening credits of my favorite television show, The West Wing.

A compelling musical score, patriotic graphics, and powerful cinematic themes make The West Wing’s introduction one of the best in television. Throughout the entire sequence, the American flag ripples majestically against the characters as they are being introduced. This visual gives The West Wing its characteristic gravitas and develops its patriotic theme. The montage of images showing each character in different settings gives faces and personalities to what some in the American public views as an impersonal and uncaring federal government. The beautiful and inspiring music complements the visuals in the title sequence and gives the show an air of importance and heroism as members of the White House work to solve the nation’s problems. The relatively small but elegant fonts displaying the names of actors in the show illustrate the dignity and importance of public officials while simultaneously preserving the concept of institutions being larger than individual men and women in government.

The title sequence skillfully employs repetition through an overlayed and semitransparent Presidential seal that  gives the show context by illustrating the purpose of each character in serving the President of the United States. Overall, the opening credits flow extremely well with the viewer being drawn into the program more and more after each cutaway. While the title sequence could be slightly shorter and more varied in different episodes, The West Wing’s status as an influential, intellectual and intelligent television show is significantly aided by its masterful opening credits.

Advertisement