The Art of The Title Sequence

The Art of the title sequence can include a variety of different things in a variety of different layouts. It can include the name of the film and can give an understanding of the tone or atmosphere of the film.  There can also be narrative information and characters can begin to be introduced. Moreover, the art of the title sequence will also give a sense of the films genre and the actors, directors and production company names are introduced. A location is also established.

 

There are 4 different types of title sequence used in most Hollywood films such as :

 

Discrete - A discrete title sequence is like a mini film before the actual film to help get the audience into the mood of the film yet not to reveal the storyline of the film. It can also give you an idea of the tone and the genre of the movie. A 'discrete' opening sequence is also often animated and includes a lot of editing work. For example, the girl with the dragon tattoo or Spider man.

 

 

 

Traditional - A good example for a traditional title sequence is Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Even though there is a slightly stylised element in form of the grey lines moving through the screen, we have a black background with white titles in front. A second example would be the sixth sense title sequence in which sound and font is used to create the tone of the film.

 

 

 

Straight into the film - The type of opening is a film that goes straight into the storyline and does not have an extra title sequence. An example of this is the film scream which goes straight into the story with no titles at all and the film directly goes into action. This type of title sequence is far less commonplace and is most likely to be seen un action or horror.

 

 

The stylised opening sequence - A stylised title sequence is a combination of straight into the film and discrete. The opening of the film starts straight into the action and then followed by a 'discrete' title sequence. The best and most famous example for this type are the James Bonds openings such as Skyfall. This type of opening is often used in stylish action films such as Mesrine.