The document analyzes the opening title sequences of the films Juno and Forrest Gump to show how typography is used to convey important information and set expectations for the audience. For Juno, a bright, bubbly font matches the comedic tone and teenage themes. Forrest Gump uses plain white text to hint at the protagonist's innocence and the film's gentle nature. Both sequences introduce actors and crew to build recognition and engage potential audience members.

1. Juno
Title Research

2. Here, the typography is used to introduce
the audience to the institutional elements.
This tells the audience who produced and
distributed the film, thus informing them on
whether this is an independent film or a
major-motion picture.
In the opening sequence for Juno, the
colour used for the typography are basic
colours: red; blue; green and yellow. This is
used to symbolise infancy and the childish
nature of the main protagonist. By doing
this, the audience are aware of one of the
film’s main themes and one of the issues
the character are forced to deal with.

3. After the production/distribution companies are
revealed, the audience then learn the name of the
director and the film. By revealing the names of
those who contributed to the film in order of
importance, the reputation of those involved
engages the audience and gets them to continue
watching the film.
Throughout this sequence, the style of typography helps to
reveal the genre of the film to the audience. The font used
is similar to bubble writing and is very bright and bold. By
doing this, the creators are able to show that the film has a
fun, comic nature and is aimed at a target audience who
prefer comedy films. Furthermore, the use of bright colours
gets the audience to pay more attention to the names being
shown thus allowing these people to receive more
recognition for their work and contribution.

4. Here, the opening sequence is used to
reveal the names of the main and
supporting actors. The names are
revealed in order of importance to the
film, thus telling the audience who is
most involved in the film’s narrative.
Furthermore by revealing the names of the
actors, they receive more recognition for their
work and contribution. By mentioning their
names, the film also engages audiences that
are fans of the actors which increases the
outreach and reception of the film and allows it
to gain more revenue.
The doodle-style writing was used to
resemble the doodles that high school
students do in their textbooks. This
enhances the idea that this film is
aimed at a teenage audience and
demonstrates the fact that the film
involves teenage issues.
Throughout the sequence, the song, ‘All I
Want Is You’ by Barry Louis Polisar. This
song links with the typography as it has a
similar calm, relaxing nature. By using this
particular piece of music, the audience are
able to understand the genre of the film and
how it relates to the target audience.

5. In this part of the sequence, the font changes slightly.
As the typography is being used to reveal the names of
people who took up certain roles in the production of
the film such as the ‘Costume Designer’ and the
‘Casting Director. In order to introduce the audience to
their job title, a smaller font is used in a contrasting
colour. This allows us to understand how they
contributed to the film.

6. Using a childish font throughout the opening sequence
illustrates the youth of the protagonist to the audience and
enhances her immaturity. Furthermore, the use of this style
of typography connotes some of the major themes that are
involved in the narrative. For example, the use of a simple
colours relates to the theme of pregnancy and the use of
‘high-school doodles’ as a font links to the protagonists age
and lifestyle. By doing the audience, the audience are made
away of the ideas that challenge the character and given an
idea of what the plot of the film will be like.

7. Here, we are shown the names of the
production team who helped to create
the film. Each of these names are
grouped together in no particular
order so that they receive the same
amount of credit for their work.

8. Finally, we are shown the names of two of
the most important contributors to the film:
the screen writer and the director. These
are revealed at the end as it is most likely
that this is the part of the opening
sequence that the audience pays the most
attention to, therefore they gain the most
recognition.

9. Forrest Gump
Title Research

10. In the beginning, the typography is used to
introduce the audience to the production and
distribution companies. By giving this
information to the audience, they learn whether
the film was produced by a major production
company. This allows them to understand
whether the film had a large budget which
enabled them to use a wide range of resources.
This is important to the audience as it gives
them an idea about what they should expect
from the film.
Throughout this opening sequence,
a plain white font is used. This is
usto symbolise the innocence and
purity of the main protagonist,
Forrest Gump, and to hint at the
gentle nature of the film. Doing this
allows the audience to judge
whether the film is suited to their
tastes or not.

11. In this part of the opening sequence, the
typography is used to introduce the
audience to some of the most important
contributors to the film. The top billed actor,
Tom Hanks, is revealed before the name of
the film in order to use his reputation to
keep the audience engaged. Furthermore, it
encourages fans of Hanks to watch the film
thus giving it a larger audience and allowing
it to generate more income.
Throughout the sequence,
the typography flows
smoothly from credit to
credit. This further
indicates a gentle
narrative, which allows the
audience to understand
what type of film ‘Forrest
Gump’ is.

12. Here, we are introduced to
the rest of the cast. This
allows for the actors to gain
recognition for their work and
contribution to the film.
Additionally, it also helps to
create a wider audience as
fans of these actors will be
interested in this film.
In this opening sequence,
the typography is
accompanied by a piece of
music composed by Alan
Silvestri. The font and the
music go well together as
they help to reveal the
serene nature of the film’s
narrative.

13. In this part of the
sequence, the
typography is used to
further introduce the
audience to the cast.
Throughout the sequence, the
colours of the mise-en-scene are
quite dark and gloomy which
creates a contrast with the bright
colour of the typography. This is
used to symbolise the
protagonist, an innocent man
who stands out from others.

14. Here, the
typography is
used to
introduce the
audience to
those who
played certain
roles during
the
production of
the film that
the audience
may not be
aware of. In
order to allow
them to gain
recognition
for their work,
a smaller font
is used to
state their job
title.

15. Throughout the opening sequence, the
typography stays the same. Each title
stays on the screen for 4 seconds and
there is a 2 second pause between each
one. The titles appear continuously on the
screen throughout the sequence until the
last 40 seconds. The same font is used
throughout: white, bold, straight edged.
Furthermore, the titles always appear in
the centre of the screen.

16. In this opening sequence the
author, of the book that the film
was based on, is credited last. I
believe that is because they felt
he deserved the most
recognition as the film is based
entirely on his work.