What is a title sequence?

What is a title sequence?

To summarise, title sequences are placed at the beginning of films to introduce people that were involved in the production of the film, such as the director, producer, editor, cast, etc. Any person with a strong contribution to the film, whether it be actually helping to create the film or investing money into the production, tend to have their names included in the title sequence. Designers of title sequences aim to produce effective sequences to draw in the audience. In an attempt to grab their attention before the film even begins. They consider their use of typography before they create a sequence. They carefully consider the font of the title to make sure there is a clear link to the genre and/or plot. Title sequences play a major role for a film because they set the mood and setting for a film.

Statement	What it means
“The title sequence should evoke the meaning of the title and plot of the movie into strikingly symbolic visuals”	The title sequence provides hints about the genre of the film and what’s to come.
“The title sequence places the viewer right in the centre or location of a film”	The viewer is made aware of where the story is set by introducing the viewer to the setting and establishing the location.
“A title sequence has memorable typography”	The typography slightly or strongly links to the film and genre. This allows it to become an image in itself, which creates an aesthetic appeal that’s hard to forget.
“Magic happens in the movie theatre when the curtains open, the lights dim and the opening title sequence starts. In those two minutes you are transported into the world of the film.”	The second the movie begins the audience instinctively ignore reality, and the events going on around them. They enter a state of full concentration for the duration of the film. During the running of the film the audience are placed in a new mind-set where they are only focused on the film.
“It’s the job of title designers to take you to the world of the film- by setting the right mood with their opening titles.”	The title designers that edit the titles connect with their audience through the four technical elements applied to the sequence, which in turns sets the mood.
“Title sequences can be engaging or wildly entertaining, funny, exhilarating, or simply drop dead beautiful. They can be oozing with visual poetry and sophisticated imagery while others hit you hard with their bold and audacious stylistic gestures.”	Title sequences must grab the attention of the audience by being entertaining in their own way. They must trigger an emotion within their audience that makes them want to watch the film, such as thrill, humour or excitement. It must have meaning to engage the reader. It must be interesting to appeal to its audience.
“The very best title sequences put the audience in the right mood for the movie, they transcend their proper function and venture off into the realm of something far deeper and far greater.”	The best title sequences make their audience block off the events of the outside world, making them focus on the film by transporting them into the film, of course not literally.
“Title sequences are the signifiers of contemporary pop culture and an art form in their own right.”	Title sequences are as good and important as the film
“A title sequence is the method by which films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound”	A title sequence should indicate the people involved by including their names, e.g. cast, producer, editor, director, etc.
“The order in which credits are billed in a title sequence generally signifies their importance.”	The title sequence should introduce the credits in order of importance.
“title sequences are complete and complex narratives that are able to stand on their own, setting the tone, providing the mood, and foreshadowing the action”	Title sequences have their own finished stories. They are a film on their own and have the same important elements a film has.