Opening Title Sequences Research and Analysis

The usual order for an opening title sequence is:

Name of the studio that is distributing the film.

Name of the production company responsible for making the film.

A (Producer’s Name) Production.

A Film by (Director’s Name).

Starring (Main actors’ names).

Film title.

Featured cast members.

Casting by.

Music, composer, or original score.

Production designer.

Editor or Edited by.

Producer, produced by, and executive producers.

Writer or written by.

Director or Directed by. 

The opening titles for "25th Hour" are very continuous in the way they look. They are all the same font, possibly to connote to continuity within the story of the film. The camera moves away from the blue light throughout the credits, creating an establishing shot of the city but also making the audience wonder what it is. It creates the feeling of moving away from something, also connoting to the story within the film. The contrast of the white of the font with the primarily blue scene makes it stand out to the audience. The thinner and condensed font makes it look neat and together, but also is small enough to not take away from the scene. The line under '25th' is reflecting a date as well as the time. This gives the audience context into the film. The ominous nature of the title makes it seem appropriate for an older audience. The way that the titles are avoiding the light is interesting as it makes it seem reminiscent of something and like a light at the end of the tunnel, reflecting the drama in the film. 

The opening titles for "Monsters, Inc." encompasses what the film will be about. The use of the doors throughout hint at a possible theme within the film. The bright colours against the black background hint at the child target audience but also the black background hint at the nighttime and monsters underneath beds, as the film shows. The colour draws the children in and makes them want to watch more. The font throughout is very curly and looks as if it has been written out. This, along with the drawings of the doors and the monsters, connote to the target audience which means parents are more likely to let their children watch further into the film. The dark blue of the font against the black in the top picture stands out against the coloured doors. The blue blends into the darkness just the same as the monsters in the film. The eye in the door instead of the letter 'p' in the production title is important as it also connotes to the theme of monsters in the dark.

The opening sequence of "Vertigo" is interesting as the font is very different to other thriller movies. The font, in white and capitals, reflects more of a sports team or something more action rather than thriller. The white against the redness of the background throughout the sequence makes it stand out to the audience. The way the eye spirals into more of the titles, creating a wave of patterns, shows the audience that it will be a psychological thriller and will play with their minds. The red also connotes to the idea of blood and death, showing that the film is for an older audience. The close ups of the facial features, specifically of the eyes, make it also seem psychological, like its focusing on the inside workings of the person, i.e. in the brain. The list of names against a more solid background is very classic for older films though now it has become of lesser use. In this film, there is no establishing shot sequence as with most films now, making it seem even more mysterious whilst watching, as you don't find much out about the story.