As I am feeling a bit pressed this week to come up with something this week, I thought I might just talk about movie titles, specifically, a few that are my favorites.
1) Superman The Movie (1978). I think the first movie title that really caught my attention (and is also one of my all time favorite films). The combination of John Williams soundtrack and the telescoping title blazing onto the screen lend prelude to the action and fun to ensue. The bright colors and sweeping movement of the names as they appear create a kinetic feast while bringing to viewer to the opening scene of the film.
2) Alien (1979). Stark in both graphics and score, the titles really echo the atmosphere of the flim and create tension through the slow appearing letterforms. No flourish or flash, a perfect compliment to what is to come in the film.
3) Rock n Rolla (2008). Jumping ahead a few decades is Guy Ritchie’s very awesome film, Rock N Rolla. The title graphics not only introduce the stars in both name and graphic, but the splashy, kinetic natures of the title, along with a very kick ass soundtrack, matches the intensity of the film to follow.
There are many more of course, but these are just the three that come from the top of my head. What I love about each of the titles is not only what I wrote above, but also how they each matched and complimented the film they accompany.
I really like the Rock n Rolla's film titles. I haven't seen the movie but the dirty, grungy effect mixed with the paint effect and the old school, antique film look seems to fit with what I think the movie is about and what it's overall mood is. The titles makes me want to see the movie.
ReplyDeleteDidn't someone have a project in Digital Imaging based off Rock n Rolla's titles? I don't remember exactly what it was, but I remember it looked incredibly dynamic.
ReplyDeleteI love movie titles, thanks for the post! I feel like I know what Lauren is talking about but also can't remember exactly what it was. Now it's going to bug me!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Ever since Marks presentation about movie titles and introductions I have taken time to appreciate them more when I watch a movie or go see one at the theatre. I love the way the titles were done of the movies you selected.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Jene and what she said about Mark showing us movie titles and introductions. Some of my favorite opening sequences are Catch Me If You Can, Superbad, Sweeney Todd, Stranger than Fiction, and Psycho (1960).
ReplyDeleteThis is a slippery road to go down when watching titles on youtube. Nice post and good choices, but now I need to watch Catch Me if You Can
ReplyDeleteCatch me if you can is one of my favorite movie openings. The shapes, the use of negative space, and the colors work so well together!
ReplyDeleteI don't watch very many movies, so I remember being very surprised when I heard someone in one of my classes say that they took a lot of inspiration for excellent film title sequences. But Mark's presentation this quarter definitely gave me more of an appreciation for them!
ReplyDeleteI think that Almost Famous has a great title sequence, and I agree Catch Me if You Can is another great example. I have yet to see Rock N Rolla, but another great rock influenced B film that has a great title sequence is Class of 1984!
ReplyDeleteTony, have you thought about this as a possible career path? You should start a firm that focuses on book covers and movie titles :)
ReplyDeletei love rock n rolla! by the way im still waiting for Johnny, archie, and the wild bunch in "the real rock n rolla"
ReplyDeleteI love the title sequence to Catch Me If You Can. The first movie title that caught my eye was one of the Spiderman movies (probably does not compare to the movies you guys are talking about), but ever since then my attraction to text in titles just grew. After Mark's presentation I was just in love. I would love to have the creativity to do something like this.
ReplyDeleteAs per Nina's suggestion...I'll join you, Tony! Great examples of exceptional typography!
ReplyDeleteAlien really caught my attention. I currently working on my unconscious ability to sort of "fill the space" in my work. Minimalism...not as easy as it looks!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of marks presentation about movie titles very cool
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