The function of a title sequence is to introduce the film and to give the audience information about the cast members in the film and the people behind it.
Three films featured in the A Brief History of the Art of the Title Sequence are: Phantom of the Opera, King Kong and Singin' in the Rain.
Singin' in the Rain:
The 'in' text that is introducing the title is rather small to then make the title stand out massively. The text is in yellow which really catches your eye and is a much bolder yellow then the colour of their coats. All of the words in the title start with capital letters giving them importance. The letters in the title all have shadows behind them, which implies a light is shining on them, so the title is lit up for the world to see.
Use of visual imagery/sound elements:
The actors/actress at first appear to be walking towards the camera, smiling and dancing, they then turn on their side and present to us their umbrellas before turning their backs to the audience and begin to walk off. This visual imagery leaves us as the audience wanting them to come back and not walk off. We want to see more of their dancing and smiling.
Mood/feeling:
The rain creates a really relaxed feel, but then the actors/actress are smiling and dancing so this makes us as the audience feel excited and eager to join in. The rain is also very unique, when it is raining people usually stay inside, but these people are outside dancing and singing in it, this makes us think it is really unique and cool and feel like we too could sing in the rain.
The use of the above (typography elements, visual imagery and mood/feel) suggest that the theme/content of this film is going to be really uplifting and make us feel like in life we should just dance and sing in the rain if we want to. So the message behind this title sequence is really to make the audience think they should take risks in their life and live it to the full.
Phantom of the Opera:
Use of Typography Elements (text):
This title sequence has chosen to write the name of the person who produced the film. This is to show us as the audience he owns this film and all his hard work has come down to this. The 'the' is in italics, to me this implies there is only one Phantom of the Opera, he is THE Phantom of the Opera. The text is all written in capitals, this shows the importance of the title. This title sequence has also chosen to name the book that Carl Laemmle got his idea for this film from. Although this is in smaller text, the name is still in capitals for us as the audience to see. The white ghost-like colour of the text shows perhaps there is going to be something mysterious and chilling about this film.
Use of visual imagery/sound elements:
The use of the dark tunnel entrance in the background perhaps suggests the idea to us as an audience that by watching this film, we are about to enter something dark in which we don't know the way that it is going to lead us. This may intrigue many of the audience watching and urge them to want to watch it.
Mood/feeling:
The mood created by this title sequence is that something dark and perhaps even dangerous is going to happen. We can tell by the dark colours used and the ghost-like feel and dark passages in the background that this is not going to be a cheery, uplifting film like Singin' in the Rain.
The use of the above (typography elements, visual imagery and mood/feel) suggest that the theme/content of this film is going to be something perhaps not for young children to watch. This film is probably for older teens and adults only judging by the whispy title which creates a ghost-like affect, and the word 'phantom' which actually means a ghost. We can predict the genre of this film is probably going to be a horror.
I think Richard Morrison looks for a nuance that gives his films energy and flavour so that the viewer thinks it is interesting and wants to see more.
Sweeny Todd:
The title sequence uses mainly white text that is medium size and usually placed to the left or right of the screen when showing roles people played in the film etc. This is to give information to the audience about the cast members which is the function of a title sequence. However, the name of the film is displayed in much bigger font and is red coloured text. This is to stand out, it is also in capital letters which makes it clearer to read. The actors/actresses are displayed in order of importance regarding their characters in the film.
Use of visual imagery/sound elements:
The blood in the title sequence is really effective as we follow it around the haunted looking house. It cleverly drips and falls into every nook and cranny that it can spill into, which gives us as the audience a close look at some of the really cool animated features. The music is quite creepy so it fits with the look of the haunted house and suggests this film is horror genre.
Mood/feeling:
The title sequence creates a really eery feel to us as the audience. The blood makes me wonder, has someone been killed? Who's blood is it? What is the significance of the blood? These are all questions the title sequence makes me feel. It creates a darkening mood.
The use of the above (typography elements, visual imagery and mood/feel) suggest that the theme/content of this film is going to be a horror and that perhaps something dark and dangerous is going to happen. The title sequence also suggests that the theme is maybe going to be revenge, someone's blood has been spilled and maybe somebody wants payback.
Batman:
Use of Typography Elements (text):
The text is all in the same colour of yellow. Yellow is a good colour to place against dark backgrounds as it stands out. The connotations of yellow are curiosity and hope. The texts perhaps symbolizes this. The names of the people that play roles in creating or are in the film are in capitals to show their importance and stand out. The name of the film is in bigger font than the rest of the other titles, to make it stick in your mind and remember for ever.
Use of visual imagery/sound elements:
The title sequence seems to be following what looks like a dark tunnel passage or cobbled street. The title sequence continuously uses low key lighting to create a dark feel. The music really builds up as the title goes on further and definitely sounds like something heroic.
Mood/feeling:
The title sequence creates a really mysterious feel but at the same time, the music is quite comforting as we know it is building up, just like a hero builds up his rescue. It creates a really dark mood, so to foreshadow something bad is going to happen, but not to fear because a hero is near.
The use of the above (typography elements, visual imagery and mood/feel) suggest that the theme/content of this film is going to be a film where we are gripping the edge of our seats. The music builds up in such a way that we are just waiting for the hero to burst on to the screen and save the day. Although hero films are usually much brighter, the darkness creates a theme of mysteriousness.
Richard Morrison explains about the film title sequence that it is important you do not give too much away but give the audience a flavour to intrigue them. This is definitely something I will consider when doing my final project and creating a film title sequence for that.
For Sweeny Todd, he said: "This industry is very specific and if you do a good job then you tend to be remembered by directors and producers." I think he felt this title sequence was successful as he stated: "...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."
For Batman, he said: "The Batman 1989 environment was not that homogenized. In fact, there weren’t many people on the same platform and we were all very individual. (Homogenized meaning similar.) I think he felt this title sequence also was successful as he stated: "...that was the idea and then I just invented the world around it. Nobody did anything like it before so that’s why it probably retained its timeless feel."