The Conventions of a Title SequenceElleah Stanton

What is a title sequence?

• A title sequence is the opening to a film which introduces the main cast and crew that have worked on the film and the media institutions the film was made and distributed by.

• It gives the audience an idea/taster for what the film they are about to watch is about. It also confirms genre, tone and sometimes the social group that is going to be represented in the film.

Examples

Conventions

• The sequence starts with the logo of the film studio and distributer.

These are the media institutions that create films and get them out into the cinema and public domain. Sometimes the film studio and the distributor are the same company. This is usually the case for larger block-buster films.

Some studios and distributors only create/distribute certain genres of films. For example Twister Pictures specialise in horror films. However large institutions such as 20th Century Fox specialise in a range of genres from comedy to thriller

Conventions

Then, the names of the top billing actors will appear. Only the main characters are mentioned. The rest of the actors are credited in the end credits.

Conventions

• Next, the title of the film is shown. The typography usually resembles the genre/plot of the film.

Conventions

• After this, the ordering of the credits differs from film to film. Different title sequences use different ordering up until the two final names.

• I researched by watching various different sequences and came to the conclusion that the next credits are:

• Casting

• Costume or music

• Editors

• Co-producers

• Executive Producers

• Producer

Conventions

• Finally, the last name that is credited is the director. It is shown last throughout all the title sequences I looked at and beyond.

Why use a Title Sequence?

• The purpose of these are to introduce the film. The iconography/mise-en-scene, editing, camerawork and sound are all telling of the genre or the plot of the film.

• It is also there to credit the main cast and crew that worked on the film.

• There are anomalies in the conventions of a title sequence as some films don’t have one at all, never mind missing out a few credits.

• From this I will make sure that my project follows all the typical conventions in order to get a high grade.

Why use a Title Sequence?

• The purpose of these are to introduce the film. The iconography/mise-en-scene, editing, camerawork and sound are all telling of the genre or the plot of the film.

• It is also there to credit the main cast and crew that worked on the film.

• There are anomalies in the conventions of a title sequence as some films don’t have one at all, never mind missing out a few credits.

• From this I will make sure that my project follows all the typical conventions in order to get a high grade.