10. Four different types of film openings

Categorising title sequences

There are four main categories.

Titles on a blank screen:

• Its the most common type of title sequence
• Involves different kinds of typeface on the black background
• Usually white typeface used on black background to create high contrast
• Studios use them because of low budget sometimes
• They can offer a simple, uncomplicated way to include institutional information at beginning of film.

Title sequence examples:

The title sequence "PSYCHO" had a black background in the title sequence with made a clear contrast therefore it was easy to read. The transmission between the credits and the music gives themes of the genre.

The title sequence "PULP FICTION" had a yellow font which i thought looked quiet cool. The yellow font also collaborates with the music well to create a certain theme which matches the genre. The 3D san serif font of the film name also highlights themes of the film. In addition they highlighted all the main characters in a white font which made them stand out. Near the end of the title sequence the music changes with shows the film is a hybrid genre as the music gave the film themes of a comedy and western action film.

 

Titles on still images:

• More elaborate than simple white text on black background
• Historical title card developed to include hand drawn borders and images
• indicated a move past just text but a way to incorporate text with a visual image to hint tone and genre
• Development of titles accompanied by still images coincides with credits getting longer to incorporate more than name of studio and film maker.
• Studios beginning to support development of more elaborate title sequences and recognize contribution to film as a whole.
• Combining different media to make background
• Use of music and still images accompany credits to produce tone of film.

http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00138-Wimbledon

This title sequence uses still images which incorporates and shows themes of tennis as everything moves from side to side and the music with the sound of the ball is really effective.

Titles over images:

• Incorporates credit titles with moving image behind titles, sound and usually no dialogue.
• Moving images offer either metaphor, narrative thread or to help introduce tone or storyline.

Title sequence of Alfred Hitchcock. The music sets the tone of the film also in the title sequence the moving images in the background is effective as we can see where the film could be set which is significant. Slow transitions also contributed to setting the tone and collaborating with the music to give hints of the genre. The shots in the background were mainly long-shots to give an idea of the scenery.

Titles using Animation or Motion:

• In the late 1990s, use of animated text in little sequences become more popular
• Titles themselves become part of the moving image and are integrated together with the images we see.
• Requires a lot of digital technology and stylized editing.

Title sequence examples:

James Bond: The animation in the "James Bonds" title sequence shows a metaphor about the fil and also vaguely tells us what the films about.

Catch me if you can: The animation in "Catch me if you can" shows themes of the film also helps to work out what the film is about.

Narrative title sequences: Titles integrated into the moving images in some way and begin as the film itself begins. This could be as a long established shot or as part of a series of establishing shots.


Discrete title sequences: Integrated into moving images isn't entirely clear what film plot is. It helps set the tone and gives clues to what could happen later. (Having an 'AHH' moment when significance of title is realised). Example: Fast transitions, close up shots, giving clues.


Stylised title sequences: Highly stylised. Can be a mixture of two sub-categories. Moving images and title credits stylised with filters, motion etc. Example: Clear contrast in moving images and typography. Example: stylised to fast forward in a rush hour setting.


Personal Preference: I prefer titles using animation or motion because it makes you think more about what the movie is about, discovering perhaps the metaphor behind the animation or motion like James Bond.