TASK 10: Catagorising Title Sequences

Various title sequences have different looks and styles made for them. Title sequences tend to have around 4 specific categories, as well as around 3 sub-categories. The four specific categories are: titles on a blank screen, titles on still images, titles over moving images and titles using animation or motion.

Titles on a blank screen:
This type tends to be the most common in film, as they are the cheapest for studios to make. These sequences usually have different kinds of typefaces on a blank screen, often using white text on a black screen to create contrast. These can offer a simple, uncomplicated way to include institutional information at the beginning of a film. Examples of this include:

PULP FICTION:


THE BREAKFAST CLUB:


Titles on still images:
These types of title sequences tend to be more elaborate than text on a blank background. This type of category moved past the simple usage of text to instead show text, as well as some sort of visual hint towards the tone or genre of the film, which the music accompanying the sequence also helps with. The development of these kinds of sequence coincides with credits during the openings of films getting longer, to show more than just the name of the studio and film maker. With this kind of title sequence, studios began to support the development of more title sequences and recognized their importance to films. Examples of this include:

WIMBLEDON:


NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION:


Titles with moving images:
These opening credits display both the opening credits of the film, but also some moving visuals behind the text, accompanied with sound but usually lacking dialogue. The moving image could either serve as a metaphor or narrative thread to help introduce the tone or storyline to the audience. Examples of this include:

STANLEY KUBRICK'S THE SHINING:


DIRTY HARRY:


Titles using Animation or Motion:
These types of title sequences are part of the moving image and are integrated together with the images we see. This type of title sequence require much more digital technology or stylised editing. Examples include:

MONSTERS INC.:


DR. NO:


The most important categories for our coursework are Titles with moving images and Titles with animation or motion.

There are three sub-categories which most of the normal categories use. They are: Narrative title sequences, discrete title sequences and stylized title sequences.

Narrative title sequences:
These types of title sequences are integrated into the moving images in some way, and begin around the same time as the film. These types tend be made out of establishing shots or a series of establishing shots. Examples of these include the previously shown The Shining title sequence, where the credits are shown over footage of a car driving to a destination; The Overlook Hotel, as well the Dirty Harry title sequence, which shows the titular character investigating a crime scene, the locations the crime may have been committed and objects found in the area, as well as showing the credits. Another example is Panic Room which doesn't seem to show much plot-wise, but does reveal the setting, as well as the tone of the movie.

PANIC ROOM:


Discrete title sequences:
These types of title sequence are integrated into the moving images, but it still isn't entirely clear what the film's plot is about. These types of title sequences can help set the tone or give clues to events that happen later in the film.

SEVEN:


Stylised title sequences:
These types of title sequences are stylised (o rly?). This can be a mixture of the other two title sequences, but both the text and the moving image are stylised to create a combined effect.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 (2009):


BULLITT: