Art of the Title

1. What is the definition of a Title Sequence?

A title sequence is a way that films and television programmes present their title. They are normally visual and colourful to attract your attention and they normally show the cast and the name of the film or programme.

2. What is the function of a Title Sequence?

The function of a title sequence is to help the audience understand the genre of the film and what it is about. It also needs to intrigue the audience so that they will watch the film of television programme.

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

The three film titles that stood out to me were: 'Star Wars' 'Casino Royale' and The Pink Panther'

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: Use of Typography Elements (text): Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: Mood/feeling:



When I watched 'A Brief History of the Art of the Title' I saw the Casino Royale opening introduction. The introduction is very good. As the film revolves around poker, the into has lots of references to a pack of cards and the four suits. The movement is clean and looks really good. The choice of song was really important to choose as it sets the mood that the audience are feeling when they are watching the film. The main colours used were red, black and white as they all stand out when together and do not blend together. Even though the characters are in black, white and red you can still tell which one is James. As there are lots of guns and fighting in the titles, it makes the audience realise the genre and feel like it will be an action film as there will be gun fights and car chases.

5. What does the use of Typography Elements (text), Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film Title Sequence suggest about the theme/content of the film?

The visuals are mainly in black and red to represent the colours of playing cards. As James Bond's enemy's are red, it represents the blood that is shed when he kills them. The text stands out well and is very clear to read which helps the audience to enjoy the film so that they are not finding it difficult to read the text on the screen. The music suits the film as it relates to guns and saving lives which is shown by the animations on the screen. The animations show the audience clearly what content will be in the film by showing all of the guns and violence and it also portrays the theme of action as there are lots of fight scenes and explosions.

6. Select another 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: Use of Typography Elements (text): Use of Visual Imagery/Sound Elements: Mood/feeling:



The opening scene to The Pink Panther Has been animated to make it more interesting to the audience. It shows the main characters and portrays the personalities and characteristics of the two characters as the inspector is very clumsy and can be outsmarted easily. The music is easily recognised and is a happy tune. It reflects the film as being funny and happy instead of it being a horror film. The audience feel relaxed when watching the opening as it is funny and there is no reason to be nervous of what is to come.

7. What does the use of Typography Elements (text), Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film Title Sequence suggest about the theme/content of the film?

The text is in pink to represent the film and the colour of the diamond. Pink is bright, happy colour and this is subliminally sent to the audience. As the inspector is trying to hunt the panther and he keeps falling over it sends a message to the audience that the film is going to be happy and funny. The soundtrack also helps to send across the message that it is a family friendly film and will be a comedy filled with an inspector being really clumsy.

8. Name of 1st chosen Film Title Sequence created by Richard Morrison:

The Dreamers

9. What does the use of Typography Elements (text), Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film Title Sequence suggest about the theme/content of the film? Mood/feeling:

The Dreamers - The typography is done very well. I like how is weaves and appears out of the scaffolding of the buildings. The white stands out over the black, blue and red which is good because it is easily visible to the audience. I liked how the title of the film had letters at different sizes which makes the film a little more original and less boring then just a normal white font that is all the same size. The music used is a cheerful, upbeat tune which sends a message to the audience that it will be a happy film and possibly a musical. When the text finishes, the camera tilts down to show a young man in a suit looking around. The audience are already asking questions like 'who is he?' and 'what is he doing?'.

10. What does Richard Morrison explain about the Film Title Sequence?

Richard Morrison says 'As a creative, I find the idea is always the key and the means to do it is a secondary matter. Because of the nature of The Dreamers — its plot and timing — I wanted this sequence to look organic, just like in the old days. So I just started piecing visually abstract elements together, like in a puzzle, and decided to completely abandon any complex animation effects. It just did not fit in with the essence of the movie.'

11. Does Richard Morrison feel the Film Title Sequence was successful, why or why not?

Richard Morrison thought that the film opening was very successful as he said that you could not just press delete if you did not like something, it all had to be planned in advance. He had a strong belief that the film opening would work and in the end all of his hard work paid off.

12. Name of 2nd chosen Film Title Sequence created by Richard Morrison: What does the use of Typography Elements (text), Visual Imagery/Sound Elements in the chosen film Title Sequence suggest about the theme/content of the film?

Vantage Point - The opening to Vantage Point has lots of bits of film cut up so you cant see the whole of the picture. This is so that the audience are left guessing what is in the rest of the shot instead of them just being shown. When there is the image of the sniper rifle, you can only see the gun. You cannot see what it is pointing at which makes the audience question who is going to be shot. This makes the audience believe that it could be an attempt to assassinate someone.

13. What does Richard Morrison explain about the Film Title Sequence?

Richard Morrison says 'It is an elegant piece. I liked the idea of random elements coming together before our very eyes, and I thought it would be very clever to use the red laser dot as a motif. It immediately introduced the theme of assassination and threat. Also, I think that the dark gold palette of these images strikes a chord with the filters used later to film Salamanca — there was this smooth transition between the titles and the first scenes shot from the helicopter.
The sequence had to be based around the idea of perspectives. So I graphically tried to create a web of intrigue to give viewers an accurate insight into what they can expect in the movie.'

 14. Does Richard Morrison feel the Film Title Sequence was successful, why or why not?

Richard Morrison feels the title was successful as he describes it as 'an elegant piece'. It is successful as it gives very little away about the film which keeps the audience interested. He also says that it gives a clear message of the themes to the audience.