Title sequence

According to Wikipedia, a title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. It usually follows but should not be confused with the opening credits, which are generally nothing more than a series of superimposed text.

The title sequence of Elementary was made by Prologue Films.

There are four title sequences used in Elementary that are chosen based on time.

Title sequences

First version

The first title sequence is the most used and lasts 30 seconds. It starts with a rolling glass ball, which falls into a tripod while "Jonny Lee Miller" in letters appears. The ball continues and is led to be placed into the cylinder of a gun. The cylinder then spins and is placed into its place in the gun while "Lucy Liu" in letters appears. The next shot shows a spinning wheel of four guns, while "Jon Michael Hill" in letters appears. One of the guns fires, and shatters a wine glass with red wine which both fall onto the floor. The next shot shows a rat in a spinning wheel, making power to raise a bell while "and Aidan Quinn" in letters is shown. Another glass ball is rolling on a tripod and lands on a switch, which makes a scissor cut a cord, which lets go of the grip of a hammer that shatters a statue. The pieces of the statue fall onto the floor where evidence markers are already places on the floor. A cage falls upon a statue of a man, while "created by Robert Doherty" in letters are shown. Another ball rolls past the previously shattered wine glass, and continues to roll in a shot that closes in on the rolling ball. A background of New York with the sun shining through the buildings, with the letters forming "Elementary," is shown as the camera zooms in on the ball.

The first title sequence is used in the following episodes:

• "While You Were Sleeping"
• "Child Predator"
• "Dirty Laundry"
• "The Red Team"
• "The Deductionist"
• "Details"
• "Snow Angels"
• "The Woman"
• "Solve for X"
• "We Are Everyone"
• "Ancient History"

Shortened version

A shortened version of the first title sequence lasting 20 seconds is used in the following episodes:

• "Rat Race"
• "Lesser Evils"
• "One Way to Get Off"
• "The Long Fuse"
• "You Do It to Yourself"
• "The Leviathan"
• "Risk Management"
• "Step Nine"
• "The Marchioness"
• "On the Line"

Second version

Most shots in the second title sequence are cut, including the actor credits, with only "created by Robert Doherty" shown, and lasts 14 seconds.

The second title sequence is used in the following episodes:

• "M."
• "A Giant Gun, Filled with Drugs"
• "An Unnatural Arrangement"

Third version

In the third title sequence, letters forming "Elementary" become more and more visible over time atop a backdrop of New York and lasts 3 seconds.

The third title sequence is used in the following episodes:

• "Pilot"
• "Possibility Two"
• "Déjà Vu All Over Again"
• "Dead Man's Switch"
• "A Landmark Story"
• "Poison Pen"
• "Blood Is Thicker"
• "Rip Off"
• "For All You Know"

Fourth version

The fourth title sequence features a static photo of the title screen and lasts 3 seconds.

The fourth title sequence is used in "Flight Risk."

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes photos from the shoot of the title sequence was posted on Prologue Films' Facebook page.