7. Titles in Title Sequences

From reviewing and analysing many title sequences, I can clearly see that the titles are a very important aspect in the opening sequence. The style of the writing and the order it is in, is crucial to making the sequence very effective. In all films the typography must reflect the genre of the film. As I have been analysing many horror opening sequences I can easily understand how my typography can reflect the horror genre. For example; The writing can be edgy, as if it was clawed or scratched into a wall, or bloody, suggesting a lot of gore in the film. This adds more effect to the opening as it makes it more dramatic.

Stereotypically there is an order to which titles come on screen. These shot have been taken from the opening sequence of The Stepfather.

- company ident

- company presents

- distribution company

- The title of the movie

- Main actor

- other main actors

- less important actors (usually more than one in each shot)

 - casting by

- costume by

- music supervisor

- music by

- Edited by

- production designer

- executive producer

- director

What tends to happen in title sequences is that the main actor's name gets a lot of screen time. This is because they can bring in a lot of attention from their fans if they're a really big actor, making the film get more publicity. There is also the fact that their manager may demand for them to be the first name and to have a lot of screen time or they will pull their client out of the movie.