The Art of the Title

Title sequence – A title sequence is a how a film or television show presents their title and sometimes the producers and cast members. This can be done in many ways using visual and audio effects.

The main function of a title sequence is to tell the audience the title of the film. It is also there to tell the audience about who has produced the film and who the cast are. It can be done in many different ways and sets the mood for the film. It also tries to tell the audience the genre and theme of the film or television show.

Three films I noticed in the Art of the Title sequence were: King Kong, Psycho and Dr No.

I looked at the title sequence for Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. The text in the title sequence was all bold and all in capitals which made it very clear. The letters were also lit up so the background didn’t blend with the text. Behind the text there are weird shapes and colours moving randomly behind the text which makes it feel hyperactive. This also goes quite well with the music in the background. The music is rock and is being played by the main characters. The theme of this title sequence feels hyperactive and fast. The title sequence makes me think the genre is action as the music and the fast pace suggests this. The fast colours and shapes make me think the film will be fast paced and have vibrant colours throughout the film.

I looked at the title sequence of Catch Me if You Can. All of the text came from the ceiling and floor of the animated scene. The words have a basic font that is connected to the scene. In the title sequence you are following a man who appears to be being chased. It is all cleverly animated with calm music in the background. The title goes with the scene as the man looks like he is being chased. The mood of the title is quite childish and feels like it is part of a cartoon as someone is being chased and they evade the person chasing them by changing their outfit. The jazz also makes it feel like a cartoon. The title sequence makes me think that the film is a comedy/adventure film as they travel to may locations just in the introduction.

Richard Morrison

Batman

I’ve chosen to look at the title sequence for Batman. I think the text looked very good as it was yellow which is in Batman’s logo. This went with the film and wasn’t just a random decision. The font was bold and clear which I think goes with the setting and the film. All of the letters were in capital form and easy to read. The music built up to when the title appeared which signified that it was the title. Also the entire background went black when the title appeared which made it stand out. The music was very loud and sounded heroic which made me think that the film is a superhero action movie. This makes it clear to the audience what genre of film they are watching. I think that the way the logo was presented was very clever as you didn’t know what you were looking at until you are above the logo looking down onto it. I think it is a very clever way to build up suspense and reveal the logo to the audience. The scene was also very dark which could suggest that a lot of the film is at night and in dark places and it is quite a dark story.

Richard Morrison thought that he needed to include the iconic classic batman symbol. He thought it was very creative and nothing quite like it had been done before. He thought it was good to reveal it slowly rather than just show the symbol. This gives the audience enigma codes such as what am I looking at. Richard Morrison thinks that this title sequence was a success and is timeless.

The Dreamers

The second Richard Morrison title sequence I am going to look at is from the film The Dreamers. I think the text in this sequence is done very well and looks very cool and smooth. I like how it goes behind part of the structure. I thought it flowed very well with the words coming fading in and out of the shot as the camera tilted down the structure. The font that was used was clear and was easy to read. The font for the actual title was very large and different from the rest as the word dreamers was brown unlike the rest of the words which were white. This signified that it was the title of the film. The music also changed when the title appeared which made it clear to the audience that it was the title. Judging from this title sequence I think the film is set in a city as the building looks like it is in the middle of the city. I can’t work out the genre from this title sequence as it has no big giveaways and doesn’t seem to fit into any genre.

Richard Morrison thinks that his title sequence for The Dreamers is very good and fits the film very well. He thinks it fits as it flows very well and is one continuous piece of filming of the Eiffel tower. He thinks it looks organic and just like title sequences did in the old days but with his own spin.