Film Opening Research- Title

Film Opening Research-Title

Title: the given name of a book, composition, art piece, or any other form of work.



 There is nothing more important in a film, television series, or any other media texts/products than its' title. It gives the media product an identity, a name their audience can know and appreciate; a title that connects with the genre and the contents of its' narrative. Most of the time a title sequence would be displayed at the opening of a film alongside the opening credits that introduce a portion of the key production and cast members that made the film possible. Now the fonts of a title can range from a wide variety, all depending on the genre, themes, presentation of the title, etc.

The title sequence/opening may convey scenes or portions of a scene that relate to the concept and use sound. Presentation of the title sequence/opening is also imperative to catch the audiences' attention, to set in the mood of the genre and its' themes. Please watch this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvOmlRkKRgQ

This opening/title sequence of Tim Burtons' "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) uses typography to present/introduce those involved with the film; the font of the words is bold, capital and white which stands out from the images of the opening used. The order of the cast and staff members go in this order: the name of the film company, director's name, title, names of primary actors, music, casting, costume design, make-up/ scissorhand(s) effects, editing, production design, photography director, executive producers, writers, screenplay, producer, and the director again. You will notice the live-action montage of images from cobwebbed scarecrows to  odd anthropomorphic steampunk machines. Use of colours can be seen such as the cold blue lit hue of the shots that project a grim and wintry atmosphere that is complimented with Danny Elfmans' musical score.

Another opening/title sequence we can analyse is "King Kong" (1933); please view this link and view the video: http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/king-kong/ . The opening is in black and white starting  off with the 1930s logo of the film production and distribution company RKO Pictures. The title and text is hand-drawn and that the way it is drawn is like an illusion that shows the great size and shadows which fits with the mood of the musical score, auras of fear and greatness are conveyed as the title is shown. Notice how the text switches to other text as if an invisible spotlight is shooting above; as you view the title/opening sequence you can see that the names of the staff members involved with the development of the film is displayed first than the names of the actors and actress. An Arabian proverb is then displayed, which foreshadow, the narrative and tragedy that is to follow in the end of the film.

Finally we examine one of the many opening sequences of "The Twilight Zone" (1959). The narrator's monologue enchants and directly addresses the audience that the program they are viewing will transport them into a story and setting that is eerily similar to our reality but quite different which is supported by other images and objects. The title forms from the nothingness as the camera zooms in, the font is in capitals and appears to be designed to appear mysterious and foreboding; the music/theme used matches the black and white images appearing in the stygian void and stars as if transporting the viewers into a reality frighteningly new and exciting.

For the coursework piece, my partner and I must consider the presentation and fonts of the title for our coursework piece and how it can fit with the genre.