Saul BassBy Lauren Vasey

Introduction

• This presentation is about The works of Saul Bass

• My aim is to bring awareness about his life and works and introduce you to his passion and love of Graphic design and Title sequences in film.

• He was an important part to the film industry and his inept talent for symbolism has made him the most respected man of his field today.

The Beginning

• Born in 1920, in the Bronx, New York.• His father was an Émigré Furrier. • Spent his childhood drawing and painting.• At 16 Bass won a scholarship to study at the Art Students

League in Manhatten and studied at Brooklyn College.• Taught by Gyorgy Kepes, also an Émigré Furrier.

Growing and Moving on

• Throughout Bass’ education he had many apprenticeships with Manhatten Design firms.

• Moving on to become a freelance Graphic Designer known as ‘Commercial artist’.

• Leaves New York due to its constraints• Freelancing in LA until he set up his own studio.

The First Step

• Bass worked in advertising until Preminger.

• 1954 Preminger commissioned Bass to design a poster for ‘Carmen Jones’.

• Impressive work led to the title sequence.

• This shadowed Bass’ previous work and introduced him to what was to become his life’s work.

The Talent Shows

• (You tube carmen jones)• ‘Carmen Jones’ led Bass to designing the title sequences

for more films with Robert Aldrich and Billy Wilder.

Changing Forever

• The first big achievement.• Bass found his skill to define a film and produce it as a

title sequence.• The first sequence to really change the face of cinema

and the way they were made, shown and viewed.

Animation

• Bass also made animations• ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ was a big success.• ‘Tearful Eye’ made for Preminger’s ‘Bounjour Tristesse’.

Hitchcock

• 1958 Hitchcock and Bass collaboration.• Vertigo• North by Northwest• Psycho

inspiration

• Hitchcock was a clear inspiration for Bass.• They both had a clear understanding of semiotics and the

importance of every little detail.• Hitchcock was a fan of Bass and had a lot of trust for

him.

Still Going

• Stanley Kubrick ‘Sparticus’• Bass creates many wonderful title sequences.• Bass starts making shorts and wins Oscar for ‘Why Man

Creates’• This inspired him to create a feature in 1974 which sadly

flopped.

Back on Top

• Bass returned to corporate graphic design.

• Designing corporate identities for, United Airlines, AT&T, Minolta, Bell Telephone System and Warner Communications.

• 1984 Olympic Games poster.• Posters for the Academy awards.

Change of style

• 1987 Bass creates the titles for James Brooks Broadcast News.

• 1988 Penny Marshals ‘Big’

Scorses

• 1990 began the collaboration that was Saul’s most successful.

• Goodfellas• Cape Fear.• The Age of Innocence.• Casino

inspiration

• Bass style has inspired many other open credits for example,

• Catch me if you can• Six feet under• Passion of the christ

The End

• Saul Bass died in in 1996• Created the credits for over 60 years• His avant-garde style and symbolic creations are what he

is most famous for.

In conclusion

• Saul Bass has made a lot of celebrated and iconic work.• Although he has had such an inspirational career, the man

remained mysterious and unknown to the public through out his life.