Analysis of Saul Bass's title sequences

Analysis of Saul Bass's title sequences

Saul Bass is a title sequence designer who is very unique with his style of editing. In his work he doesn't tend to use live clips of people moving, instead he creates animation sequences where he animates random shapes or actions and in corporates those with the text to create his title sequences. In some of his work he uses still images and just moves them across the screen and adding in credits. Sometimes the still images can reference or establish scenes or narrative in the film. For example in the title sequence ''Around the world in 80 days'' the audience is shown cartoon images of different places around the world to establish that the film is going to be about traveling the world.












This is a screenshot from the title sequence for around the world in 80 days. Here we can see a man who is likely Asian as he has his hair tied up in a bun and has a paper umbrella. This shows that at some point in the film there will be a scene in Asia. Due to his appearance the audience instantly begins to relate him with stereotypes however Bass's work is known for animating characters within the film and begin to establish their values and opinions. There are other stereotypes within the title sequence, one would be a character (pocket watch) in a top hat drinking tea, this figure would be considered to be British as it expresses British values. In this sequence we see a butterfly flying through to all the different scenes (possibly countries). The butterfly could represent the characters in the film traveling around the world. This is the first symbol that represents the theme of travel, as the title sequence progresses the audience can see other forms of travel. An example of these would be the boat and train. All forms of representations within the theme of travel move forward, this suggests the story is progressing and the journey is being discovered. This also ensures the audience that travel is apart of the narrative.

The butterfly leads the story as it transitions across screen, unraveling the new shots. The butterfly also enables the audience to begin to get an understanding of the characters within the film, it is very conventional for a title sequence to establish themes and characters within the film and Saul Bass manages to do this in an abstract unique which manages to engage the audience right from the start. It is because of this he is one of the most successful title sequence designers and very well known in the film industry, his iconic work never fails to amaze its audience.

By Max Rowlands and Tommy Devaux.

Analysis of Title Sequence - Se7en

Analysis of Title Sequence - Se7en

In lesson we began to discuss the codes and conventions of Kyle Coopers title sequence to 'Se7en'.
This is a link to the title sequence via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2gsEI34CE.



The title sequence begins with a dark image of crooked broken hands, this image alone resembles most of the title sequence because the hands represent how the title sequence will disorientate the audience. The directors name is very visible, this allows finches work to be recognised and establishes the opening credits are going to roll. The entire title sequence is very eery and its in a low-key lighting which creates atmosphere which establishes the genre. This makes the title sequence conventional because its already set the genre. The soundtrack in this title sequence is very creepy and spooks its audience, there is a lot of white noise and scratching of metals which is a method used to disorientate the audience, it also establishes the genre.

The most recognised actors within the film have an entire blacked out shot with just their name on it in the opening credits, this is star power and ensures the audience the film has very good potential. The characters names and all opening credits for that matter are in a very unique font. The typology really makes the title sequence, this is because its handwritten yet it seems very sinister due to the scratchiness of it. A link can me made between the opening credits and the scratch book the killer is writing in through out the title sequence because they are in the same creepy handwriting.



As the title sequence progresses the audience are introduced to a character within the film. This character is first seen cutting of his fingerprints with a razor, as the title sequence progress the audience is aware that this character is very dark and could possibly be the antagonist. Possible narratives can be assumed as the title sequence reveals the usual things the "antagonist " is doing.












The antagonist is constantly cutting up polaroid pictures and old film which suggests to the audience he has traditional beliefs and doesn't appreciate technology or science. After watching the film we understand he has religious beliefs which is his motive for murdering people however they are not traditional christian values, they are instead evil and twisted. The theme of religion is first introduced in the title sequence when the killer is cutting the word "God" from a newspaper.























                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Analysis of Title Sequence - Catch Me If You Can

Analysis of Title Sequence - Catch Me if You Can

In lesson we discussed the conventional and unconventional methods used within the "Catch Me If You Can" title sequence.

This is a link for the title sequence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwvIzFqrd7U

The title sequence creator was influenced by Saul Bass' work, many other designers like
Paul Rand also copied from Bass because of how prestige his work was.The animated title sequence begins with a heading of the studio that produced the film ( DreamWorks ) this establishes the opening credits are beginning to roll. The typology through the entire title sequence is very interesting because it transitions in all different directions and it interacts with the visuals, the movement could resemble planes and the theme of travel is established. The protagonist in animation form walks across the screen where he begins to interact with the typology by leaning against a line that runs of from 'Leonardo DiCaprio's' name, a visual arrow points down to the animated figure which informs the audience he is Leonardo DiCaprio and he is the protagonist. The arrow itself fits in with the airports setting and it establishes the set. Dicaprio's posture is much sloppier compared to the way the pilots walk, this gives the audience contextual knowledge of the protagonists background and upbringing. The Protagonist figure walks through the typology where his appearance and identity changes, this could connote how he aspires to be like the pilots because of their wealth.


The title sequence itself is very unconventional because as it progresses the entire story unfolds and the audience is forewarned of the events that will take place however first time watchers would not understand the whole narrative is explained within the title sequence. Soon after the character that Tom Hanks plays as is established the chase scene commences, it is at this point the films title appears. the 'me' in "Catch Me If You Can " fades outwards; this represents a plane flying through a cloud. The theme of travel appears again within this part of the of title sequence.


As the title sequence progresses the colour scheme changes, this is to establish a new set for the audience, the exotic colours connote the characters are now on holiday/abroad. The sound track picks up and is at a faster pace, this keeps the audience engaged. A possible love interest is established when the protagonist is in the elevator with a nurse, although this is a peaceful scene, tom hanks is still chasing down the protagonist which keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. The camera movement pans downwards which suggests the dark setting is a basement or some unknown territory. As the title sequence comes to an end we see Tom Hanks' character catch up to DiCaprio's character but the extract fades out before we as an audience are able to see if he is caught. This creates tension and meaning because a mystery for the audience has been created and in order to solve the puzzle the audience have to watch the film and see.

Analysis of Title Sequence - The Incredible Hulk

Analysis of Title Sequence - The Incredible Hulk (2008)

In lesson we analysed and the conventional and unconventional techniques used to create the opening title sequence of Louis Leterrier's "The Incredible Hulk".


The title sequence begins with X-Ray pictures of a skeleton, this connotes science will be a theme within the film. Green text appears on top of this imagery however once the typography has been read by the audience it shoots forward as if it was coming out of the screen. This is engaging for the audience because it can easily be focused upon and it creates a sense of action. The typography is green because when Bruce Banner ( Edward Norton ) is enraged he becomes the incredible Hulk, an indestructable muscular green "monster". The Title of the film appears like all the other typology however word "Hulk" is in a different font, it is much bigger and bulkier, this resembles the Hulks appearence.

The title sequence is conventional because it establishs the protagonist, a possible love interest, themes and the genre. Possible narratives can be developed as soon as the word "danger" appears because the audience begins to understand how powerful the incredible Hulk is. Bruce Banner is surrounded by advanced machinery which suggests to the audience he is different to most people therefore the theme of 'otherness' is established which also reassures the audience he is to be feared and he is portrayed as a monster. Unconventional techniques are also used within this title sequence, an example would be the 'POV' the audience consumes, we as viewers take in what the hulk can see. this creates enigma because the audience can't actually see what the hulk looks like therefore a mystery is created which engages the audience. while in the hulks perspective we watch as he destroys the labrototry and attacks a guard a scientist and nearly kills his assistant however even when Banner is being controlled by the Rage's influence and becomes the hulk, he still recognises her. This counts that there is hope for the hulk to embark on a journey of redemption and possibly live a happy life. As the title sequence progresses we see Bruce Banner being pushed away from the women he loves and is forced to leave the hospital, this suggests he isn't accepted into society therefore the theme of 'otherness' appears again. Newspapers explaining what has happened informs the audience how much power the hulk has and how much destruction he is able to do. The audience develops an understanding of the narrative through the hunt for bruce banner; the military are tracking him down.

Analysis of Title Sequence - Love Actually

Analysis of Title Sequence - Love Actually

In lesson we discussed and analysed this title sequence - Love actually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoxXpqof8A

This title sequence is very unconventional in the way it doesn't establish the movies genre or any main characters, however; the audience is still drawn in because of the mystery behind what the genre is and who the narrator is. The voice of god used in this opening title sequence is very powerful and has the ability to change the watchers emotions. As an audience we begin to familiarise ourselves with the narrarator and it isn't until later on in the film we are introduced to the character, but by then the audience is welcoming to him due to his previous told of narrorating the title sequence. Most title sequences will establish the genre however this title sequence is very unconventional in the sense that it only gives its audience clues to what it actually is. The genre is enigmatic until the typography reveals the word "Love" coloured in red. The colour of this word is very important because we associate love and the colour red with each other. This is because hearts are a huge symbol of love and hearts are red.

Google images of the word love -



The primary colour of these images is red, and the images themselves are pictures of hearts.



This is an image from the title sequence of love actually, it shows the true meaning of love and relates to its target audience. The title sequence itself consists of people coming together and expressing the emotions of happiness and love, this is unconventional as it doesn't establish much to do with the characters or film, it only informs the audience of themes and genre that the film is based upon.

Continuity Sequence

Batman vs John Gotti

We decided to change our idea to a British gangster fighting batman for our continuity sequence because max could easily show of his editing skills and hard couldn't act because he wasn't in therefore I had to play the role of batman which i thoroughly enjoyed. I was still directing the film and in change of the cinematography but I wasn't actually filming it as I was acting, instead I just told max what shots to use. We followed the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and we had dialogue within our continuity sequence which me and George scripted.

Due to the file being too large to upload of this website, we had to upload it to youtube in order for it to be viewed, this is the link.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxM5-JHE-6Q

Original Continuity Sequence Idea

In todays lesson we began to draft our groups idea for the continuity sequence we will make on the following Monday. Our idea was to have George Kelly play the role as George Kray, a 1920s British Gangster who will eventually "whack" Johnny Smith, a lower ranked gangster played by Harry LJ because he lost Krays money betting on horses. We used a storyboard to plan the shots we are going to use and me and george are planning to start scripting in a free period however we think it would be best if we scripted the sequence as a group. Harry LJ and Max were giving some brilliant ideas we could use for the sequence and as a group we decided what would work best too create more meaning within our sequence. We are going to either use a classroom thats blacked out or the drama studio to film in.

Roles -

Director/Cinematographer - Tommy

Editor - Max

Actors/script writer - Harry LJ and George

Specification

Video

Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.

Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.

All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source. Both preliminary and main tasks may be done individually or as a group. Maximum four members to a group.