Art of the Title Presentation

1. Art Of The Title
Title sequence - how films and TV programmes present the title, Production
Company and cast members using visual and sound aspects. A title
sequence usually comes after the opening credits, these should not be
confused.

2. Function of a Title Sequence
The title sequence presents the audience with expectations of what may
happen throughout the film while also outlining the filmmaker’s intentions. It
draws the audience in to watch the film and credits key people involved
within the films production.

3. A Brief History of the Art of the Title sequence
 Dawn of the Dead - Horror
 Catch me if you can – Crime Fiction/Parody
 Forrest Gump – Romance/Drama

4. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Dawn of the Dead is a film shown in ‘a brief history of the art of the title
sequence’, it is of the horror genre which is the genre that I am considering at the
moment. It begins with red text on a black screen that gets ripped away and
images of infected people appear. The text being in red is significant of the horror
genre and as it gets wiped off it looks as though it has been written in blood. This
helps to establish the genre to the audience as well as creating a tense and
frightening mood and atmosphere. The first sounds we hear are foley sounds as
the text gets ripped away and different people appear, this helps add to the
atmosphere and tenseness of the opening, it then goes on to an interview which
gives a basic idea to the plotline but also creates enigma through the ‘I don’t
know’ response because it doesn’t fully establish what is happening. The song ‘The
man comes around’ starts to play, the tune is quite upbeat which juxtaposes the
lyrics and visuals which are more gory this emphasises the horror genre.

5. Catch me if you can (2002)
Catch me if you can is also shown in ‘A brief history of the art of the title
sequence’ and it is of the crime fiction genre. The opening is an animation
this creates enigma because you cannot identify who each character is. The
animation is in a very 1960’s style which establishes the time period to the
audience. Each title is written in a simple font but with some parts extended
into smooth lines, this helps the text to blend in with the background so that
the audience is drawn to both the visuals and the text, it also adds to the
mysterious atmosphere created in the opening. Block colours are used which
add to the 1960’s feel of the opening. The music used adds tension in the
opening due to changes in pace and pitch, it signifies the crime genre as it is
quite mysterious and as the tension builds throughout.

6. Morrison on Morrison
 Sweeney Todd
The Sweeney Todd opening follows the movement of blood, this signifies the horror and crime genre as well as a
slight insight to the plot. The titles appear in white in an eerie font which adds to the tense mood as the letters are quite
rigid. The music used also adds to the tense atmosphere because the pitch changes often and the pace is quite fast.
When discussing the opening Richard Morrison explained how bringing his idea of the blood movement to life was
challenging and how he got the most enjoyment coming up with the idea. He thought that overall the opening worked
well especially adding a comical effect to the blood and how he would love to work on something similar.
 Batman
The batman opening shows a 360 degree close up of a stone version of the classic batman logo, enigma is
created because the audience don’t know what it is that they are looking at until the end of the opening when the
camera zooms out. The titles are displayed in yellow in the centre of the screen, the shade of yellow is widely associated
with the batman logo and stands out in front of the dark screen. There isn’t any insight into the plot however the tense
music portrays the genre well. Morrison explained how to come up with his idea he had to go onto the set and really get
a feel for the movie, it was here that he decided to use the classic logo in an original way. He thinks that this opening
was successful and retains a timeless feel.

7. Morrison on Morrison
 Sweeney Todd
The Sweeney Todd opening follows the movement of blood, this signifies the horror and crime genre as well as a
slight insight to the plot. The titles appear in white in an eerie font which adds to the tense mood as the letters are quite
rigid. The music used also adds to the tense atmosphere because the pitch changes often and the pace is quite fast.
When discussing the opening Richard Morrison explained how bringing his idea of the blood movement to life was
challenging and how he got the most enjoyment coming up with the idea. He thought that overall the opening worked
well especially adding a comical effect to the blood and how he would love to work on something similar.
 Batman
The batman opening shows a 360 degree close up of a stone version of the classic batman logo, enigma is
created because the audience don’t know what it is that they are looking at until the end of the opening when the
camera zooms out. The titles are displayed in yellow in the centre of the screen, the shade of yellow is widely associated
with the batman logo and stands out in front of the dark screen. There isn’t any insight into the plot however the tense
music portrays the genre well. Morrison explained how to come up with his idea he had to go onto the set and really get
a feel for the movie, it was here that he decided to use the classic logo in an original way. He thinks that this opening
was successful and retains a timeless feel.