Art of the Titles

A title sequence is the method in which films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members to the viewer. It utilities both conceptual visuals and sounds together. It is usually then followed by the opening credits of the film or program, which are normally one series of text.

The function of a film title is so the audience can see the set up of what they are watching and what to expect. It is also to show the audience the main people who are included in the film.

Three films in A Brief History of the Art of the Titles 

This is England title sequence- the imagery that has been created in this title sequence is showing various things that have happened in the united kingdom. it shows a wide range of people of royalty in England which links to the title of the film. this also gives us a sense of what the film is going to be about. due to the various occasions being shown in the title sequence. the music in the opening scene was 54/46 was my number,the song is a reggae song which doesn't fit with the video in the opening credits because the music is calm and relaxing, when most of the videos are of fighting and war. when watching this opening scene you have two thoughts going through your head due to the music and context not fitting with each other. This then makes you think this film could be out of the ordinary.

Napoleon title sequence- the imagery shown in this title sequence is made up of lots of different things. for instance plates of food, hand drawn pictures and name cards. From these we can tell that this film must be about someone who is at school because many of the backgrounds are of what you would see at a school. This could mean that the film is aimed at the more teenage audience. the music in the title sequence is "i can tell that we are gonna be friends" by the white stripes. the song is quite dull and boring which could link to the main characters life in the film. The song also has a sense of loneliness which could also link to the characters life and feelings. The title sequence also gives us quite a bored feeling whilst watching it because not much is actually happening.



Vantage point title sequence- the imagery shown in this title sequence seems to be linked with top secret agents or police officers. This is because the videos are of many large buildings which could be apart of the film, for instance people are planning on breaking in there. there is also videos of police cars and bikes which shows there is an important event going on. The camera focusing on one man could mean that he is the main character in the film, and something may happen to him. The music used in the title sequence is very dark and suspicious music which links the genre of being a action and adventure film. It also could relate to something to do with technology as some of the sounds, seem to be coming from some form of technology.

Richard Morrison-

"It is an elegant piece. I liked the idea of random elements coming together before our very eyes, and I thought it would be very clever to use the red laser dot as a motif. It immediately introduced the theme of assassination and threat. Also, I think that the dark gold palette of these images strikes a chord with the filters used later to film Salamanca — there was this smooth transition between the titles and the first scenes shot from the helicopter. 

The sequence had to be based around the idea of perspectives. So I graphically tried to create a web of intrigue to give viewers an accurate insight into what they can expect in the movie."

i think that Richard Morrison does think this was a successful title sequence. The reason for this is because he says about it being an elegant piece which is a positive statement for him to make.

The demon barber on fleet street title sequence- the imagery in the title sequence is a very dark and dirty setting. It looks like a very poor and run down area due to the darkness, smoke and silence in the town. we can see many of the objects in the barber shop being covered in blood. This means that he obviously isn't a barber he is a murderer. By following the blood in the scene we can see the various things that are going to happen in the film, and obviously what happens to the people that go to the barbers. From this the theme of the film would be scene as a gory horror due to the blood and the barbers being linked together. The music in the piece is very loud and quite fastly paced which could mean that a lot will happen in the film, and the barber likes to get things done quickly. It also makes you feel quite nervous and on edge the whole time.

Richard Morrison-

"This industry is very specific and if you do a good job then you tend to be remembered by directors and producers. What I enjoyed most was coming up with the whole idea. I did not have to pitch to Tim but I turned this project into an internal pitch at thing. And so, a few days later, I had a room full of some truly outstanding creative work. I took it all to Tim and he just spread the pieces all over the floor and spent around a day or two looking through them. And then he just said: I really like this narrative piece (mine) and those coloured frames (Shay Hamias, director).

Animating blood and its movement became the most crucial and challenging element of the sequence. We had to build special platforms within which we imitated blood movement and filmed it. And we had to give it this comical feel, which worked really well. That was a dream project. We would love to work on something similar."

i think that Richard Morrison was happy with this title sequence because he says "that was a dream project" which clearly means he could only of dreamed for something that good, and he has actually created it, so his dream came true.