'The Art of Film Title'

Task: Read the article ''The Art of Film Title Design Throughout Cinema History'' and show that you have understood it by picking out at least five points which are of interest to you.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

''Film titles made there first appearance in the earliest silent films'' which was around 1900's. I think its really interesting how the style and design of title sequences have changed dramatically over the years. Title sequences first started off with just showing basic essential text of ''white lettering on a black background'', for example D.W. Griffith's ''Intolerance'' (1916), but then this slowly changed over the years of title sequences now showing photography and scenes which consist in whole title sequence.

                              

''The Humorous Phases of Funny Faces''(1906) is ''one of the first animated films'' as well as the ''first to feature an animated opening title''. I found this fact interesting in the fact that i found out what was the first animated film.

Monsters Inc. title sequence, i found, the best and favourite title sequence since i was a child. I found it really eye-catchy, enjoyable and entertaining in the fact that it was engaging to watch due to the bright colour use, shapes use and the music which contributes in the enjoyable vibe.

In the article it states that ''It be argues that typography lost importance in this era of title design.The imagery behind the credits recieved a lot more attention''. Which i completely agree with because nowadays in many title sequences audience concentrate and pay attention more on the scenes or title sequence designs rather than the title texts.There is a part in the article in which it gives us the fact that ''Ralph Spence(1890-1949) was the highest-paid title writer in the industry, earning $10,000 a picture for his one-liners.'' This explains to me that title sequences play a major part of a film.

The bond title sequences i think are just incredible. They really stand out capture your attention in watching the sequence and is really engaging. Typography is used beautifully in the bond titles.

Overall, i think that title sequences have changed incredibly in a positive manner. They are improving year after year and becoming more engaging, interesting and entertaining for the audiences to watch. Audiences are now appreciating title sequences more due to the form of art it has turned into. At the start all that was consisted in a title sequence was typography of titles but now different styles and techniques are being used to make the title sequences more creative, which they are. I think this article helped me understand a lot on title sequences being as major part of films and i think it was researched well. 

Title Timeline Credits-'Napoleon Dynamite'

This is a title timeline credits ,that i created, for the Napoleon Dynamite. I watched the title sequence online on 'The Arts of Title Sequences' and started to note down the timings of when each title appeared. The title sequence was 0:02:41 long and had the total of eighteen titles. By creating this title timeline credits gives me a rough idea of how long the title sequence should be and therefore how long each title should be shown for. This will really be handy for when creating my own title sequence as i will then know how many titles roughly to include as well as how long each title should be shown for. I will also have an idea of what order the titles should be shown in just from looking at this timeline.

'Napoleon Dynamite' Title Credits Analysis

A title sequence is a short clip at the beginning of a sequence/film. It is the part in which catches the audiences eyes , as it is shown at the start of a sequence, and interests them in watching the sequence.

 In the title sequence for Napoleon Dynamite the element of mise-en-scene has been used beautifully. From this title sequence you get a rough idea of the film being a stereotypical American high school film.



 Without even seeing any people or the film, just from watching the title sequence you can tell that the main character will be like geeky teenager boy. This message is conveyed through the props used in this sequence, for example a U.F.O Abduction Insurance card. This gives the impression of the main character being very geeky as he is interested in sci-fi sector. There is a part in the sequence in which a ninja star has been used. As the ninja star looks home-made it could mean that the character is very into his action/sci-fi films and creates objects so that he can imagine himself being in the film.

We get an image of him being a teenager as props like; pencils, school packed lunch and a school student card are used.  We get the impression of the teenager being geeky as he has props like lip seals, books that his got from the library and the meals shown are all within a balanced diet. Towards the ending, drawings of mythical ancient warriors are shown. This gives us the impression of the character having a passion in mythology and ancient history.The sequence ends with a plate of burger with the directors name written on by a sauce and fries on the sides. Here the action when the teenager slaps on the bun on the burger,aggressively, refers to the teenager being immature and careless.



The background in which the props are placed on also gives you the impression that it will be like a 70's style film due to the colours and texture of the different carpets. The lighting used is very subtle and light this is to give the audience the impression of this film being funny and entertaining. 

The cinematography throughout this film has been fairly consistant in the fact that its been at the same shot angle ,bird's eye-view most of the time, all the way through. The camera shots are mostly close-up and at a bird's eye-view so that all the objects can be seen clearly. The cinematography has been used in the way so that the props as well as the different backgrounds can be seen.

Sound has been used to create a vibe of humorous atmosphere. An incidental music has been used to create a happy jolly feeling to the audience of the film being a comedy genre film. The music used sounds very countryside music which gives the audience an impression of the film being set in a countryside or a small town. The title sequence is non-linear in the fact that it shows different clips of props ,with texts written on in a very cleaver manner, in one sequence. 

Overall, i this opening title sequence has been created beautifully and cleverly in the fact that  it gives a brief outline ,to the audience, in what the film will be about without any of the characters appearing or a setting being shown.The text has been cooperated through food and other objects which i find really interesting. The titles that were included in this sequence were; production companies, director and cast and crew. The duration time for this sequence is 0:02:41 which i think is perfect timing as its short and snappy . By thoroughly analysing  Napoleon Dynamite title credits it will help me in creating my title sequence as it will give me a rough idea of what parts i have to take into consideration in pre-production for example mise-en-scene, cinematography and in post-production sound and editing.

Napoleon Dynamite(2004)- Tile sequence

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/napoleon-dynamite/

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.

Brief on Coursework

 08/01/14 
Leanne explained to us about our AS Media Studies coursework. She told us what it will be based on (creating an opening title sequence of a new fiction film), what we will be marked on and when the deadline will be for the coursework.

Deadline for our coursework is, Friday 21st March 2014 

Mark scheme is:

-Research and Planning = 20

-Title Sequence = 60

-Evaluation = 20

She then put us into our coursework groups. In my group there is Aaron, Hayley and myself. Our task was to brainstorm ideas on films that we wanted to create. We brainstormed a few genres that we wanted to cover and branched a few ideas out of each genre on what the plot for our film could be about. We was then given a homework to analyse an article on 'The Arts of Title Sequences' and to create a pitch for our final film idea and present it on 13th Monday in a media lesson with Sinead. As we were all busy during school time we made a group on Facebook in which we all worked together in creating our film pitch.