The title sequences are often the part that set your expectations of a movie. In title sequences films portray the bond between filmmaking and graphic design. The use of typefaces, fonts, transitions and background all tie in together perfectly to make a brilliant title sequence. Opening titles often portray the genre of the movie and are used to give credit to the contributors of the film.
In the era of silent film opening titles were used to provide context but often were used to give credit to directors and the letter cards would give information to help the viewers understand the narrative of the film. These cards did were inanimate compared to Morden day opening tittles and would be on separate cards rather than flowing smoothly |
In the 1930's the film studios began to invest more into opening tittles and produced sound and more time and money was spent on making a good opening title. The traits where still the same, making the tittle of the film key and the directors name still large. One example of this is The Women made in which was directed by George Cukor. |
As the 20th century progressed the opening tittles began to use a lot more graphic design and illustrations became more contemporary. Also because of improved editing software filmmakers where able to make more aesthetically pleasing opening titles. A larger proportion of the budget was also dedicated to making better opening titles. These progressed tittles are shown in North By Northwest directed by Saul Bass. |
In gone with the wind (1939) the opening titles featured moving pictures of the actors. Soon after this opening sequences became more artistic and computer technology allowed the film industry to take a large step toward what we see in modern day films. | |
In modern day title sequences the credits are shown through many different styles.