Introduction of Title sequences

10/01/14 

With Emily, we looked at a few movie title sequences such as se7en, Napoleon Dynamite, The Avengers and The Incredible Hulk. We then made a few notes on the basic points on title sequences. 

Notes

• Sets up a mood for film
• Tells people what the title of the film is and who is starring in it
• Method by which a film credits production and cast members utilizing visuals and sound.
• Opening credits list important members of production and are either superimposed on a blank screen or over action.
• The aim is to establish characters, settings, genre, mood or atmosphere.
• Like any conventional media text, film titles have conventions
• They have a typical format, content techniques and style
• Technical convention (editing, overlaying of text on image)
• Symbolic conventions (picking up symbols in sequences)
• Genre Conventions (knowing what type of film it is through just watching the sequence)
• Need to be a foreshadow of what is going to happen in the film
• Usually have a transition change from one scene to another.

Common credits in film openings:

• Name of production company(ies)
• Director(end usually with a director)
• Name of title
• Stars(in order of fame)
• Other Key Crew(editors,writers, producers etc)
• Executive producer

 We was then given homework to analyse the title sequence to Napoleon Dynamite and create a title sequence time line of it and post it on our blog. By looking at various title sequence and making notes on them will help me when making my title sequence as it will give me a rough idea of what title sequences should be like. For example having some kind of sound in the background and expressing the genre of the film.