The film title sequence has arguably been one the most widely known and seen forms of motion design for the past several decades. Much like the cover of a book, a title sequence sets the tone for the larger narrative that is to follow. Since the 1950s title sequences have preceded movies, television shows, even live events, music videos, or video games. They establish a tone and identity consistent with the corresponding movie or show, but don’t give away the plot. At their best, title sequences create anticipation and excitement, provoke curiosity, and pique an audience’s interest.

A title sequence can be constructed using many different mediums: video footage, animation, kinetic typography, still photographs, illustration, and music are all common elements. This project will require you to draw from everything you’ve learned this semester about type and image in motion, the relationship between audio and visual components, and, most importantly, developing a narrative arc.

You will create a single title sequence for a book that was never made into a film before (approx. 50-120 sec long). The visual language and overall tone of your final project should reflect your subject matter without giving away the larger narrative-remember that the title sequence’s main objective is to introduce an object to the audience, rousing curiosity and interest.

OBJECTIVES

– Create a complex, refined, fully-developed piece that thoughtfully integrates typography, imagery (representational form and / or abstract form), audio, and motion.

– Continue to investigate the combination of “traditional” design attributes (color, composition, shape, depth, tension, contrast) and “time-based” attributes (progression, pacing, rhythm, sequence, velocity, kinetic behavior)

– Continue to investigate the development of a narrative arc

– Continue to investigate typography in motion: “traditional” typographic characteristics (typeface, type size, kerning, tracking, leading, etc.) in addition to kinetic characteristics (motion typography and fluid typography)

– Continue to develop an advanced and complex relationship between audio and moving visual elements

– Show a high level of technical proficiency and skill in using After Effects

SCHEDULE / PROCESS

Wednesday, April 8: 
– Introduction to Project 3: Film Opening Title Sequence & One-on-ones / Working session

Monday, April 13:
Due:
– Refined News Flash sequence for Class Critique
– One-on-Ones: Book Selection & pencil sketches storyboard concepts for Project 3: Opening Title Sequence

Wednesday, April 15: 
Due: Key Frame (digital storyboard) of Opening Title Sequence

Monday, April 20:
Due: Opening Title Sequence Rough Draft for Class Critique

Wednesday, April 22:
Working session / One-on-ones

Monday, April 27:
Working session / One-on-ones

Wednesday, April 29:
Final Opening Title Sequence Class Critique

Monday, May 4th: Last Class Session
Final Opening Title Sequence Class Critique

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

Final title sequence
– Composition size: 1920 x 1080 px
– Duration: 60-120 min. seconds long

Drawn storyboard (for 1-2 concepts)

4-5 keyframes (for selected concept)

Rough drafts (as uploaded to YouTube for each in-progress critique)

RESOURCES

The Art of the Title

Audacity: free audio editing software
& a helpful guide for basic cutting, trimming, and arranging audio in Audacity.

Technical Resources &
Resources for Storyboarding

Places to find Free Audio/Music
Adobe Stock Music
Creative Commons Music
AudioJungle
Soundcloud
Pixabay

EXAMPLES

Hawkeye Opening Credits:

Stranger Things Title Sequence

Saul Bass: The Art Of The Title Sequence

Typography – Motion makes emotions

Saul Bass: Anatomy of a Murder (1959) title sequence

Kelly Clark’s Title Sequence for “Hidden Close” (Saul Bass Style)

Grand Budapest Hotel Title Sequence

Catch Me If You Can (2002) title sequence

Midsommar Intro Sequence

CREDIT LIST FOR TITLE SEQUENCE

1. Studio/company that is distributing the film / show, i.e.
“A Warner Brother’s Pictures Production”

2. “A Zack Snyder Film”

3. Star of Film Name 1

4. Star of Film Name 2

5. Film Title

6. Director of Photography [First Name Last Name]

7. Edited by William Hoy A.C.E.

8. Based on the Book by [First Name Last Name]

9. Screenplay by [First Name Last Name]

10. Produced by [First Name Last Name]

11. Directed by [First Name Last Name]

Additional credits vary: editors, those in charge of casting, makeup, mustic, costume, visual effects, etc. may appear in the title sequence

*Since your title sequence will not be quite as long as a typical full-length title sequence, which can be up to a few minutes long. Those above should be included, at minimum.

PAST STUDENT EXAMPLES

The Ice House (Darcy Wang)

The Fountainhead (Gino Real)

Narcissus Has Gone With Koi (Evie Yanwen Hu)

Office Girl (Elizabeth Taurisani)

The Elephant Man (Sam Cooper)

All The President’s Men(Daniel Kwon)

The Life Acquatic (Jen Ling Lai)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Lauren Smedley)

Raging Bull (Nick DeRose)

The Usual Suspects (Ashley Simmons)

Exhibition Openers (similar to title sequences)

E11 (Jennifer Yacoub)

Abstract Generation MoMA (Napasawan)

Abstract Generation (Zahra Zolfaghari)