Art of the Title

1. What is the definition of a title sequence?

A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programmes present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.

2. What is the function of a title sequence?

The title sequence's function is to identify both the film and the production company involved.

3. Name three films featured in the A Brief History of the Art of the Title Sequence?

King Kong, Vertigo and Psycho.

4. Select a film Title Sequence shown in the A Brief History of the Art of the Title Sequence and discuss how the Title Sequence uses Typography Elements (text), Visual Imagery/Sound Elements and what kind of mood/feeling is created as a result?

 
Name of chosen Film Title Sequence: The Thing

Use of Typography Elements (text): Bold pastel blue text suggests tranquility but also incoming danger due to the light emitting from the exterior.

Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: The typography of the title unveils as the ominous sound grows louder.

Mood/feeling: The title has a mysterious Sci-Fi feel to it with the light coming through the edges of the individual letters.
5. What does the use of typography elements, Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film title suggest about the theme/content of the film?
The typography instantly relates to Sci-Fi but also has an element of Horror to it in the way that the individual letters look almost slimy or like some sort of strange creature. The sound elements suggest a distant threat coming approaching the antagonists of the movie. 

6. Select another film title sequence shown and repeat what you analysed previously:


Name of chosen Film Title Sequence: Saturday Night Fever
Use of Typography Elements (text): The typography is a neon red and looks like a sign that would be seen outside an American strip joint or a nightclub.
Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: Bee Gee's 'Stayin' Alive' playing as a soundtrack (non-diagetic). John Travolta's character struts as title is displayed.
Mood/feeling: Upbeat and confident.

7. What does the use of typography elements, Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film title suggest about the theme/content of the film?
The red title is unveiled word-by-word as Travolta struts and the final word, 'fever', flashes quickly. The colour of the typography can suggest love and romance although it could also present the element of danger being a key part of the movie. The flashing of 'fever' could also show the element of danger too. The music, however, suggests that the movie could contain some elements of dancing or any other examples of upbeat nature.

8/9. What kind of nuance does Richard Morrison look for when creating a title sequence?
Richard Morrison looks for a subliminal energy in a film — that he can then work into an idea.
Select two opening sequence by Richard Morrison and answer the questions:

Name of chosen Film Title Sequence: Batman
Use of Typography Elements (text): A simple bold yellow font in full capitals.
Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: Danny Elfman's signature theme plays in all its glory as the camera pans around the different curves and bends of the iconic Batman symbol.
Mood/feeling: Honour and valiance.

What does the use of typography elements, Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film title suggest about the theme/content of the film?
The title sequence suggests nothing particularly about the character of Batman and his role in Gotham. It does not establish the setting or the characters involved but Elfman's theme does suggest a sense of mystery and danger. The typography is simple and does not dictate the genre or content of the film.

What does Richard Morrison explain about the Film Title Sequence?
He explains:
"I knew it had to be something about the classic Batman comic logo. I thought, ‘What if we think of that in a 360º move? How about if it’s in landscape? How about I make it something you can move around, so you don’t quite know what it is?’ So that was the idea and then I just invented the world around it. Nobody did anything like it before so that’s why it probably retained its timeless feel."

Richard Morrison definitely felt like the film title sequence was successful as it had never really been done before and was seen as rather cutting-edge.

Name of chosen Film Title Sequence: Sweeney Todd
Use of Typography Elements (text): White victorian-ish text. The name 'Sweeney Todd' is in red. 
Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: The camera trails around the streets of london as a triumphant soundtrack echoes in the background. Blood trickles into mechanics. 
Mood/Feeling: Eerie and sinister.

What does the use of typography elements, Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film title suggest about the theme/content of the film?
The significance of 'Sweeney Todd' being in red could suggest an element of death/danger in the movie. The blood being the only subject of the titles in colour suggests this also. The music and the look of the setting can establish the time in which the movie will take place.

What does Richard Morrison explain about the Film Title Sequence?
He explains:

"I had a room full of some truly outstanding creative work. I took it all to Tim and he just spread the pieces all over the floor and spent around a day or two looking through them. And then he just said: I really like this narrative piece (mine) and those coloured frames (Shay Hamias, director). Animating blood and its movement became the most crucial and challenging element of the sequence. We had to build special platforms within which we imitated blood movement and filmed it. And we had to give it this comical feel, which worked really well. That was a dream project. We would love to work on something similar."

Richard Morrison definitely felt like the film title sequence was successful as it is seen as quite an iconic film title sequence nowadays due to the colour and look of the trailing blood.