Research into the order of opening titles

Title sequences are a method that films or television programs use to present their title, production name and cast members. They often try and set the tone of the movie and establish the setting in order to give the audience a flavor of the movie. The titles are usually incorporated into action scenes, still images, graphics and most likely will have music over the top.

There are tons of different ways that a movie can incorporate this, here are a couple examples.

Graphic Designs 

 

Action

Snatch (2000)

My group and I wanted to have the beginning as a blackout with a voice over playing over, at different points of the voice over we would have the credits coming up and the actual film title would be at the end when the doors slam closed. A movie that has a similar technique/idea of what we were aiming to accomplish is 'Snatch', in their opening title sequence they introduce the characters and give small hints and details about the story.

The way 'Snatch' presents it's characters and has it credits is by using graphic freeze frames. My group and I were thinking that we could potentially use this technique, but then we realized that if we were having the black screen with titles in the beginning then it wouldn't work as  it could come across as a comedy instead of a thriller. But, it is still an option that we are considering as it is a funky freeze frame with a font and template. None of us have attempted this method yet, but I believe that it could potentially enhance our editing skills.

You can see from some of the images shown, the production company always comes up in big bold letters, this portrays the significance and the importance in the company name. They do this to bring attention to the company that produces it, this could be one of the explanations for why they were the first credit given in the film.

In my thriller we are going to have credits on screen for about four seconds and then there will be a 8-15 second gap between the credits, depending on the dialogue that will be taking place. We have decided to have our title at the end of the opening sequence, as I think that it would bring larger effect on the audience because of the silence and anticipation during the last scene and then there would be a sudden moment when the doors would shut dramatically.













Trainspotting (1996)

Trainspotting is a British black comedy that was directed by Danny Boyle. The movie is based on how a guy decides to quit taking heroin and buys opium from a dealer to ease the transition. Similarly to 'Snatch' they have introduced the characters in the opening title sequence, through freeze frames. The difference between these freeze frames to the 'Snatch' freeze frames is that these are randomly freezed, whereas, in 'Snatch' the actors look into the camera and have a graphic template.

'Trainspotting' was shot in 1996 by Channel 4 Films. This opening sequence shows a different way of using freeze frames, it also includes more action than the opening of 'Snatch'. We are able to assume this because the guy is running and it creates a more active and action vibe. On the image above, on the bottom right we see how they displayed their title of the movie, it is seen to be fairly simple. The title consists of a black background and white/beige font, we are able to see it clear and boldly as it stands out and uses a readable font. 

There is a voice over happening in the opening, this is very similar to what we wanted to do in our thriller. The guy narrating in 'Trainspotting' is talking about his life and what is happening around him on an everyday life. My group and I wanted to have our assassin narrate in some breaks during the shouting scene, just so that they get a sense of what is happening in the scene. 

Common credits order:

(NAME OF THE STUDIO) or (NAME OF THE STUDIO) PRESENTS

(NAME OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY)

POSSESSORY CREDIT/S

STARRING

(FILM'S TITLE)

FEATURING or WITH or ALSO STARRING

CASTING or CASTING BY

MUSIC or MUSIC COMPOSED BY or ORIGINAL SCORE BY

PRODUCTION DESIGN or PRODUCTION DESIGNER

EDITOR or EDITED BY

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

PRODUCER or PRODUCED BY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

BASED ON THE BOOK (PLAY, GRAPHIC NOVEL etc.) BY or FROM A PLAY/BOOK BY (older

BASED ON THE CHARACTERS BY or BASED ON THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY

(SCREEN) STORY or STORY BY

WRITER(S) or WRITTEN BY or SCREENPLAY or SCREENPLAY BY

DIRECTOR or DIRECTED BY