TASK 6

Categorizing Titles Sequences

Titles on a black screen

• Most common type of title sequence 

• Involves different kinds of type face on a black background 
• Usually a white typeface is used on a black background to create a high contrast
• Studios used them because they're low budget
• They can offer a simple, uncomplicated way to include institutional information at the beginning of a film 

 Titles on still images

• This category of title sequence is more elaborate than simple white text on a black background
• Historically title cards developed to title cards developed to include hand drawn borders and other images 
• This category of title sequence indicated a move past just text but a way to incorporate text with a visual image to hint at the tone or genre of the film 
• The development of titles accompanied by still images coincides with credits getting longer to incorporate more than just the name of the studio and film maker
• with this type of title sequence, studios were able to develop more elaborate title sequences and recognized their contribution to the film.
• using music and images in the background hints the theme and genre of the film

Titles over moving images

• integrates the credit titles with the moving image behind and sound and usually there is no dialogue.
• moving images serves to offer - metaphor and/or - a narrative thread to help introduce the tone or storyline of the film to the audience.

Titles using animations or motion

• in the late 1990's, the use of animation in title sequences became very popular
• the titles them selves become part of the moving images and incorporates together with the images we see
• these types of title sequences require a lot of digital and stylized editing

Narrative title sequence

- The titles are integrated into the moving images in some way and begin as the film itself begins. this might be as a long establishing shot or as part of a series of establishing shots

- The titles are integrated with the beginning of the film

Discrete title sequences

the titles are integrated into the moving images but it isn't entirely clear what the film plot or storyline is. This type of title sequence helps to set the tone and gives clues to what can happen later in the film where we have an 'ahh' moment when we realize the significance of the titles.
- Stand alone sequence, series of images that may be related to the film BUT not an actual part of the narrative/film.

Stylized title sequence

- These are highly stylized title sequences. They can be a mixture of the other 2 sub-categories in terms of what we see but, the moving image AND the title credits have been stylized (with filters, motion etc.) to create a combined effect.
- Can be a mixture of the 2, edited to create a combined effect (lots of effect/filters/motion etc.)