SUMMER BRIEF: RESEARCH - Title Sequence

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

In silent cinema title cards were used throughout to convey dialogue and plot and it is in some of these early short films that we see the first examples of title sequences themselves, being quite literally a series of title cards shown at the beginning of a film.

Television was one of the things that unintentionally assisted in title sequences evolution as cinema had to come up with a way of upping the production quality of films so people would pay to go. Cinema's title sequences grew longer and more elaborate, the involvement of graphic designers such as Saul Bass and Maurice Binder became more common.

The introduction of digital technologies in the late 1980s and early 1990s to film and television changed both industries. Television began to develop more cinematic experiences for television, including more elaborate and considered title sequences.

What makes title sequences different from the end credits and rest of the film is the fact that there is often no dialogue which leaves the director to focus on other elements such as cinematography, typography and music/sound. Sequences that I enjoy the most are ones that make use of these elements: unique camera angles, type and the music all help set up the films atmosphere.

Early examples of title sequences:

North By Northwest (Saul Bass)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVUnUmPV33c

Dr. No (Maurice Binder)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dSpoKZWb2Y

I am drawn to title sequences as they incorporate multiple elements I am interested in: Music, motion graphics and typography. I feel they are an incredibly important aspect as they help set the tone of the rest of the film.

Title sequences are also memorable and are essential to TV shows to help link all the episodes. There are hundreds of well known and iconic TV series sequences I have found some of the most recognisable of them:

The Simpsons (TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqJS_FqZNJ0

The opening sequence has multiple times been picked as one of the best title sequences of all time on TV and there have been a number of different versions created by other directors and artists as well as many different parodies.

Guillermo del Toro version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtgYY7dhTyE

Banksy Version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX1iplQQJTo

Game of Thrones (TV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8

The Sopranos (TV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUT07eZoXPw

While there isn't much going on in terms of the typography during this intro it really helps set the scene for the show through the journey from the lead characters work place to his home and can get an idea of what the character is like during this sequence.

Se7en (Film) (Kyle Cooper)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2gsEI34CE#t=54

There is an incredible amount of detail in this sequence which gives the audience little snippets into the mind of the films villain. The harsh hand rendered typography reflects the notes of the serial killer and adds to the films eerie mood. This films titles was among the first in the 90s to rasie the bar for future films and showed other directors and creatives the importance of a strong conceptual opening.

Below are some of my favourite sequences:

Enter the Void (Tom Kan)

The sequence for this film is a mash up of type and logos which reflect the intense busyness of the Tokyo setting. The film is about the use of a hallucinogenic drug and is supposed to be confusing for the audience shown by the rush of hundreds of different typefaces.