‘The graphic designer and film-maker Saul Bass saw the creative possibilities of making film title sequences more than simply a typographic exercise in delivering information, with his ground-breaking sequence for Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm (1955); this was followed by the development of a form of moving kinetic typography for Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959), Vertigo (1958), and Psycho (1960). Since then, the creative use of typography within film and television programmes has become the norm. Find examples of opening credits that you think work particularly well, reflecting on how designers have balanced information needs with a creative introduction to the content of the film or programme.’
A few title sequences that immediately spring to mind are Star Wars (any of them!), Dr. No, and Se7en. All classic movies in their own right, but the title sequences especially stand out for their unique graphic elements.
Star Wars
The iconic thing about the Star Wars franchise opening credits are obviously the scrolling pre-text to the movies’ content, the words seem to vanish off into the black abyss of space via the use of a clever perspective shift:
Secondly, Dr.No. This sprung to mind having only recently rewatched it, but unlike the newer Bond films, this one makes use of a series of coloured spots and lines to add movement and intrigue to the sequence – perhaps indicative of the era. Although nothing is particularly revealed during this, the sequence, paired with the classic Bond theme song leaves a lot to the imagination!
And lastly, the iconic neo-noir psychological crime thriller – Se7en. The use of hand drawn scrawls, and glitchy text movements really add to the uncomfortable nature of the plot. They are representative of the psychological/maniacal factor behind the storyline, and set the scene perfectly for the viewer.
With all of these films at least 25 years old now, is there an arguement to say that the art of a graphic-based/enhanced title sequence has been lost…?
Links:
https://www.creativebloq.com/design/top-movie-title-sequences-10121014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jK-jZo6xjY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD-YR-3KmyE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2gsEI34CE
Jon Lawrence Learning Log 