Kyle Cooper interview (1/2) - Watch the Titles from Submarine Channel on Vimeo.
Kyle Cooper interview (2/2) - Watch the Titles from Submarine Channel on Vimeo.
From watching the two clips embedded above, I have learnt that an opening title sequence is a form of art and it gives the viewer almost an insight into what the film is about. For example, the title sequence for the film 'Se7en' created by Kyle Cooper, uses a handwritten font to show a part of the film, where a serial killer keeps a journal. It is distorted and jumpy which connotes the genre of the film; horror.
Typography is an important factor to consider when creating an opening title sequence. For example:
This font symbolises..... ACTION
This font symbolises..... HORROR
This font symbolises..... RomanceMusic is also important, it can create suspense, tension, excitement and many more feelings, so it is important to incorporate the right choice of music into an opening sequence as this will give the right effect and feel to the film.
In the opening sequence to the film 'Dawn of the Dead' a mixture of both cinematography from actors and graphic design are used. This tells a back story of the film and the viewers will see and get to know some of the characters before the film has started from the motion picture. Also hints are given by the use of typography, the font is red which may symbolise blood and gore.
Influences
What I have learnt will be a source of inspiration when I come to creating my own opening title sequence. I will take into consideration typography, music and cinematography in order to make the title sequence fitting with the genre and the mood that I want to try and create. I think that telling a back story to the film is important because it gives the viewer an insight to the film and gives them something to think about at the back of their mind. It is important however not to use too much cinematography as this would essentially give away the whole plot to the film. The video clips should only give a small insight otherwise the viewers would know what is going to happen; making the film less exciting and interesting.
Please feedback on comments made and make alterations.
ReplyDeleteHeather this is excellent work and a fantastic start, well done. You have written some excellent media terminology (back story, genre, connotes), now start using the word denotes which is a description of what you see.
Under the sub-heading 'Influences', you have written the word 'Video' which is too generic, if you use the word 'Cinematography' it will be more apt.
You also discuss 'Video Clips' which could be interpreted to mean a number of things e.g editing, camera, duration. It would be clearer to firstly discuss why back story is beneficial to an Opening Title Sequence (OTS) and that despite this it is also important to not give too much of the narrative away so that a sense of enigma is achieved.
Over the summer look at the OTS of feature films and start thinking about the conventions (what you expect to see) which are common to all (duration, placement of typography, who has which card, music etc). If you felt inclined you could add another post and call it 'Conventions of an OTS' and add links to helpful websites that informed you.
Once again well done, have a good summer.