Title Sequence Clip Review

 Title Sequence Clips

  Films have been an incredibly popular part of everyday life for a little over a hundred years. Some people may be wondering how they stay popular for so long and how people haven't gotten tired of watching them. You may think that it would just be repetitive, and the same ideas just being replayed but there is actually a vast amount of unique qualities too films. The impact of the title sequence of a film alone creates so many different emotional reactions and they tell so much about the movie already that develops the interest of the audience.  

     Through music, setting, lighting, film techniques and other elements seen in the opening sequences of films it’s easily understandable as to why films have such an impact on today's individuals. One of the most popular movies ever made actually has a very interesting title sequence. Jaws, an American thriller, opens with the perspective of something swimming underwater and suspenseful music playing in the background. Already there is a impact of the music and unknown on the audience watching but there is a larger impact when there is an innocent girl swimming at night in the water and then the music starts again. Just like last time there is the underwater view except this time something is watching the girl. The girl is then viciously attacked, the scene turns chaotic, the music blares but then the girl is pulled under and only silence remains. This creates lots of interest in the audience. It leaves them to guess what was attacking and builds fear and some excitement.  These elements are also used in the extremely popular film Scream. In this movie they use the nighttime setting and innocent girl alone to elude to the evil to come. The film cuts between casual to then chaotic and incredibly eerie hooking the viewer immediately. The dark setting, music and element of the unknown in these movies all have a major effect. 

     Another very popular film uses similar elements in its title sequence to create a completely different effect to draw in audience members. Saturday Night Fever opens with very funky disco music and follows a cool, confident guy named Tony. His outfit is matching, he flirts with women, and seems to be fairly cocky. Its setting in the Bronx in the busy day time. The film elements create a very interesting character that makes the audience want to know more about him. Maybe even make you question how he maintains his lifestyle or what his life is like. Other movies follow this 70’s carefree creation and alluring way of life such as Dazed and Confused which involves the high school setting with cool cars and fun music playing in the back which makes the audience want to have a laugh and know more. Some movies can also start of causally with a hinted climax and then explode into chaos as seen in Pulp Fiction. 

     “Title design in film is arguably set to become an acclaimed aspect of the film going experience” (First frames: titles in the digital realm, 2004). This quote was made by Tom Tykwer in 1998 after he worked on many popular films all which had very intense beginnings. This only shows how important the opening title sequence in a film is to make it a popular movie and that “sequences that promise excitement that the respective films ultimately deliver on” (First frames: titles in the digital realm, 2004) and become successful. As explained in the article First frames: titles in the digital realmwhich dives into the importance of a well put together opening sequence. It’s very important to keep the audience interested and grab their attention. To do this many elements are used, and different filming techniques are used. They all hook the viewer and illustrate what kind of film it's going to be. All of these techniques create an interesting film for the audience.