Catherine Ishino
TBC 2Project 3: Film Title Info
SAUL BASS, THE FATHER OF FILM TITLES
“[Movie director, Otto] Preminger was so impressed with Bass’s work (film poster for Carmen Jones) that he asked him to produce the title sequence as well. This was when Bass first saw the opportunity to create something more than a title sequence, but to create something which would ultimately enhance the experience of the audience and contribute to the mood and the theme of the movie within the opening moments. Bass was one of the first to realize the creative potential of the opening and closing credits of a movie.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Bass
http://www.saul-bass.com/
Typefaces (fonts): type size, leading, kerning, colors, and layout/grids. Legibility issues.
1. The typeface (or font) should be chosen appropriate to the ‘mood’, feeling, or character of the film.
A. Design with an underlying grid as in a booklet, with multiple pages
B. Leading and kerning should be twice as much as in print
C. Colors- white, yellow, pale (not saturated) shades work best
1) The colors used should reflect the feeling of the film
2) When using red, trap letters in white outlines
D. If you can read the text out loud, then viewer can read it
Hiearchy of information. Timing.
2. The title sequence should include what is on the original movie opening.
A. The more important the actor, the larger the type, the longer the name remains on screen. Also applies to other contributors.
B. It should run or last more than 30 secs, and include text such as:
1) The name of the movie
2) The main actors names (by order of importance) and 2ndary actors
3) The director of the entire film
4) The executive producer(s)
5) Director of Photography or Cinematography
C. Others may include, depending on contribution:
1) Editor
2) Music
3) Story Writer
4) Casting Director
5) Costume Designer
