Although watching hundreds of movies, I’ve never considered or paid attention to the art behind the title sequence, which is odd considering its importance. It is arguably one of the most important parts of the movie. It is the first thing viewers see when the lights fade up, not only setting the tone for the film, but expectations for the film as well. It can be called a 2-3 minute first impression. It’s important for the title sequence to grab viewer’s attention quickly and emerge their mind into the world of the movie.
The title sequence for the movie Se7en is one of the most talked about sequences of today, and I can definitely see why. Kyle Cooper created what people see as a classic that brought back the art of the title sequence. I’ve never watched the movie Se7en, but just looking at the title sequence creeps me out, and I get a pretty good gist of the horror to come. There are many elements that contribute to that spooky feeling such as the sound track (by the group Nine Inch Nails), the sketchy typography, and the video footage, especially the close-ups of a clearly demented person. The kinetic or motion typography used in the sequence is genius. I like to call it, “type gone schizophrenic”; the blurring and rapid movement of the type created an unstable feeling. Likewise, the video contributes to an unstable feeling as the viewers see a person doing odd activities such as shaving the skin of their fingertips with a razor.
The Shining is another interesting title sequence. Although a horror movie just as Se7en, the title sequence takes a different approach. The music and sound effects are the main elements that invoke horror in the opening of the movie. The video uses an aerial camera which features wide-angled shots of beautiful landscape, such as lakes, mountains, and evergreen trees. Shortly after, the camera follows a yellow Volkswagen Beetle as it travels up a mountain, while still showcasing the landscape. The footage alone could be a promotional video showcasing the beautiful landscape of this country, but with the soundtrack underneath, the video becomes a little more sinister. The score is ominous, and suggest that something terribly wrong is going to occur. In addition, creepy sound effects reminiscent of shrills or cries of spirits add to the creepy effect.
After watching several title sequences, I now realize there are several elements that bring it all together. Music, sounds, typography, video, graphics, and animations are just a few things that can be used to catch the initial attention of viewers. Tools such as Final Cut (and other editing software) coupled with programs such as Adobe After Effects can be used to create compelling title sequences. If done right, it can arouse excitement or other emotions in users before the movie starts.