Film OpeningsSession 1
What’s the story?
Sunday, 22 November 15
Investigating Form
• What is the function of film title sequence?
• What are the macro conventions of film title?
Sunday, 22 November 15
Saul BassMaster of the title sequence
Sunday, 22 November 15
Before Bass:nearly all the credits were at
the start!
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15
and the end was. . .
THE END!
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15
after Saul Bass?
• the conventions changed
• title graphics are now an integral part of setting the audiences expectations.
• and . . . he made titles stylish!
Sunday, 22 November 15
Saul Bass showreel
Sunday, 22 November 15
Form
• Typically 2-4 minutes long
• At the start or after pre-title sequence
• Stand alone or integrated into an establishing sequence
Sunday, 22 November 15
Exceptions prove the rules
• No titles • Titles 20 minutes into the film
Sunday, 22 November 15
Main task:
the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
Sunday, 22 November 15
Research!
• start general (macro)
• then home in on the specifics (micro)
• make it focussed and relevant
Sunday, 22 November 15
Task A: The general! Macro Conventions
Sunday, 22 November 15
You need this:
Sunday, 22 November 15
Macro Features
• genre
• narrative (plot)
• character
• themes
• atmosphere
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 1:Fill in the first column
Text
Aim for 100%
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15
Form
• Typically 2-4 minutes long
• At the start or after pre-title sequence
• Stand alone or over a sequence
Sunday, 22 November 15
Macro Features
• genre
• narrative (plot)
• character
• themes
• atmosphere
Sunday, 22 November 15
What did you score?
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 1: What did you score?
Text20%0%20%35%25%
Napoleon
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 2: Fill in the second column
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15
Form
• Typically 2-4 minutes long
• At the start or after pre-title sequence
• Stand alone or over a sequence
Sunday, 22 November 15
Macro Features
• genre
• narrative (plot)
• character
• themes
• atmosphere
Sunday, 22 November 15
What did you score?
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 2: What did you score?
Text20%5%20%30%25%
Casino Royle
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 3: Fill in the third column
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15
Form
• Typically 2-4 minutes long
• At the start or after pre-title sequence
• Stand alone or over a sequence
Sunday, 22 November 15
Macro Features
• genre
• narrative (plot)
• character
• themes
• atmosphere
Sunday, 22 November 15
Film 3: What did you score?
Text20%0%20%30%30%
Wedding Singer
Sunday, 22 November 15
Themes
95
Sunday, 22 November 15
Atmosphere
80
Sunday, 22 November 15
Genre
60
Sunday, 22 November 15
Character
60
Sunday, 22 November 15
Narrative (plot)
5
Sunday, 22 November 15
Introducing lots of complex narrative!
COMON MISTAKE !
Sunday, 22 November 15
Title sequence macro conventions:
• introduce THEMES
• create ATMOSPHERE
• establish GENRE
• set up a CHARACTER
Sunday, 22 November 15
Task B: The pitch!
Sunday, 22 November 15
Plitch ideas:
Sunday, 22 November 15
Exceptions to the rule!
Sunday, 22 November 15
Sunday, 22 November 15