Research - Categorising Title Sequences (Blog Task 6)

Categorising Title Sequences

Titles on Blank Screens

Main convections and reason for use:

·      Titles with blank screens usually use a whit typeface on a black background to create a high contrast

·      They are used by studio as they are low budget

·      They offer simple, uncomplicated ways to include institutional information at the beginning of a film

Examples of Title Sequences:

·      Pycho

Ø Simple whit typeface is used

Ø Very straightforward

Ø Plain black background

·      Pulp Fiction

Ø Mainly white and yellow type face

Ø Black background

Ø Simple

Titles on Still Images

Main convections and reason for use:

·      There is a use of incorporated text with a visual image to hint at the tone or genre of the film

·      Longer credits to include more than studio name and film maker

·      It was developed to include hand drawn borders and other images

·      It combines different media to make the background more interesting

·      Studios supported more elaborate title sequences as they recognised its contribution to the film

·      Music and still images accompanied the credits to introduce the tone of the film and hint the genre and theme of the film

Examples of Title Sequences:

·      Wimbledon

Ø Regular change of the still images give the effect of a tennis match

Ø Sound of hitting tennis ball with the racket, emphasis the tennis match theme

Ø Text on alternative sides each time, like a tennis ball being hit from one side to another

Ø Pictures of people looking left the right, looks like they’re following the tennis ball

Titles Over Moving Images

Main convections and reason for use:

·      It incorporates the credits with moving images behind the title and sound but no dialogue

·      Moving images serves to offer either a metaphor or a narrative thread to help introduce the tone or storyline of the film to the audience

Examples of Title Sequences:

·      Rear Window

Ø Moving image of window in the background and blinds lifting

Ø There is a over view of a street

Ø More credits

Ø Zooms out of the window

·      Cidade De Deus

Ø  Flashing of knife slashing

Ø  Flashes of food and live chicken

Ø  Credits simple

Ø  Main focus mainly behind credits

Titles Using Animation or Motion

  Main convections and reason for use:

·      Requires a lot of digital technology and stylized editing

·      Real images incorporated with animation

·      Lots of use of visual effects

Examples of Title Sequences:

·      Casino Royale

·      Music is used

·      Real moving image of a man which incorporated with animation and motion

·      More elaborate

·      Longer credits (indicate high budget film)

Narrative Title Sequences

In narrative title sequences the titles are integrated into moving images in some way and begin as the film itself. This might be as a long or establishing shot or as a part of a series of establishing shots.

Discrete Title Sequences

In discrete title sequences the titles are integrated into the moving images but it isn’t entirely clear what the film’s plot or storyline is. It helps set the tone and gives clues to what could happen latter in the film where we have an ‘ahh’ moment when we realise the significance of the titles. It’s a stand-alone sequence and not an actual part of the narrative/ film.

Stylised Title Sequences

Stylised title sequences can be a mixture of narrative and discrete title sequences, edited to create a combined effect. It contains lots of effects/filters, motion and special effects.