Film Titles

Opening Sequences:

• Give first impression of film
• Outline filmmaker's intentions
• Set up audience expectations
• Draw the viewer in

Opening titles:

• List most important members of production
• Establish scene/setting
• Identify major actors and crew (Closing credits list an extensive cast)

The ordering of titles in opening sequences is very important as it determines the actors and crew status. The film title is shown at the end of the opening sequence and is usually placed after the main actor's names have been shown.

Film titles in the 1920s- Titles superimposed on a blank screen
Simple titling, used different titling, usually had an authentic old-fashioned feel.

1930s-1955- Titles accompanied by still images
Still images were usually hand drawn cards, such as borders to be visually appealing. Title credits then got longer and the musical score was very important.

1955-Present- Titles accompanied by a series of moving images
Panning of camera was oftend used, with simple backgrounds such as clouds. The meaning of the images was usually ambiguous until later in the film, such as the clouds in the background of the Wizard of Oz.

Late 1990s- Animation and motion graphics
Animated text, animations, etc.

Now- Anything goes!