A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.
Three films featured in the A Brief History of the Art of the Title Sequence are Saturday Night Fever, Forrest Gump and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Vertigo has a very effective title sequence. The typography of 'Vertigo' was in white and placed on top of an eye - the whole picture was tinted red. It was very bright and eye-catching, especially with the contrast of the white on top. The typography lifted to show an animation of a hypnotic spiral on the pupil of the eye, linking with the title 'vertigo' which means giddiness/dizziness.
The bright red of the picture suggests warning or danger - something bad will happen in the film. The hypnotic spiral also links with this danger. The character won't know that something bad has happened to them; they will be put under hypnosis and made to do things; or they will have a dizzy lack of knowledge of what is happening.
Fallen Angel's title sequence is black and white, showing that it is either an old film or has been put there for effect: this could suggest dark events happening. The fact that the titles have been placed on a long, empty road gives it a mysterious and alluring feel.
Fallen Angel shows a road with the titles coming up in the shape of a stop sign. Paired with the title 'Fallen Angel' it suggests that someone dies because of the road, e.g. a car crash.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Typography: a formal, old-style font. Suggests that it is set in the past. White, set against a dark background. Red, links with blood.
Visual imagery: dripping blood, shows that there will be a sinister mood behind the film. Linking with title: Sweeney Todd kills people? (Demon barber) The blood follows a system where someone gets thrown down a trapdoor and seemingly made into pies. Gives a big clue as to what the plot is about.
Sound elements: deep, moody music. Orchestra? Strings/woodwind are prominent. Typical of a horror. We hear the blood splattering: gross, even more sinister.
He said: 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.
Brazil
Typography: only one word 'Brazil', like a neon sign. Fancy font.
Visual imagery: flying in the sky. Seemingly happy, gives a relaxed vibe, especially paired with music. Huge explosion cuts into the 'happy' feel.
Sound elements: first song 'Brazil'; very happy, calm. After explosion: typical horror music, strings.
The optical effects in Brazil have quite a timeless quality to them. I did not consciously set out to create something so lasting. It was more of a serendipitous happening.