Film Billing & Opening title analysis

Key Terms

• Film title• Film credit• Billing • Opening sequence• Title sequence• Opening credits• Closing credits

• Possessory/possessive Credits• Cold open / teaser

• Top billing• Last billing

Key Terms DEFINITIONS

Film Title

FilmCredit

Billing

(Top & Last)

Opening Sequence

(Cold-open/Teaser)

TitleSequence

Opening Credits

Closing Credits

Title of film Name and/or role of person worked on film

The process of placing titles and credits in a film

The opening of a film

More modern films that set a scene in the opening which creates enigma (like a trailer) is called cold open or teaser. Example = 4-3-2-1 opening

The opening credits of a film in which the title and credits are separate from the film itself

Ex James Bond

The credits and the beginning of the film

The creditsand the end of the film

Top = most important

Last = least important

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uaYiWu7uZs&safe=active

Think of how titles and credits have changed over time

-used to just be text on blank screen!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwwxklLotJ8&safe=active

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo/

Now there are:-music-CGI-text animation-images/footage etc-separate narratives from the film

-symbolism and enigma

Definition (wiki)

• In a motion picture, television program, or video game, theopening credits are shown at the very beginning and list the most important members of the production.

• They are now usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the show.

• There may or may not be accompanying music.

• Where opening credits are built into a separate sequence of their own, the correct

term is title sequence (such as the familiar James Bond and Pink Panther title

sequences).

Title only billing

• Nevertheless, "title-only" billing became an established form for summer blockbusters in 1989:– Ghostbusters II– Lethal Weapon 2– The Abyss following the practice.

– Clint Eastwood has omitted opening credits (except for the title) in every film that he has directed since1980.

– Other films to only show title:

• 2001: The Mummy Returns• 2004: Teacher's Pet• 2005: Batman Begins• 2006: Hostel• 2007: Hostel: Part 2• 2008: The Dark Knight• 2009: Avatar• 2010: How to Train Your Dragon• 2010: Inception• 2012: The Dark Knight Rises

Rules/REGULATIONS/exceptions

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billing_(filmmaking)

• There are MANY complicated rules but they must be followed. Read through the above website for understanding of these rules.You must consider this when you make your opening sequence.

• There are considerations of fame, role, length of time in film etc.

• Basically the stars all want top billing!

• Sometimes actors have to fight/argue their way with studios (sometimes they want to be first and sometimes studios want the more sellable and famous stars first)

Example 1:• Miami vice = was supposed to be Colin Ferrell for top billing but after Jamie Foxx won academy award he wanted to be top (first

name). He got it even though his role is not as long as Colin’s! Colin received top bill in closing credits. (agreement made)

Example 2• Seven = Kevin Spacey’s name not in opening credits as it would give away his identity as the killer…..he is in end credits of course

Example 3• Hannibal = Gary Oldman had extensive make-up done for his role and didn’t want his name in credits!!! (He didn’t want the fame

like most stars)

Coursework

• A good portion of the task of making an opening sequence is how you apply titles/credits

• You MUST show titles and credits

• Weaker pieces of C/W tend to just have the title at the end on a black screen which is not even common in contemporary films!

Genre

• Keep genre in mind when looking at film’s titles and credits!

• (Remember the PURPOSE of the film/opening)

Film choice – in your genre!

• Any opening sequence or title sequence from a film– DVD

– Netflix

– Artofthetitle

– Whatthetitles.com

– Youtube is limited!!!!

• MUST HAVE TITLES AND CREDITS!!!!! RED = complete a title only sequence (example = signs)

YELLOW = complete a regular opening sequence with simple background footage (example =

crash)

GREEN = complete a regular opening sequence with narrative/story (example = juno)

Juno

Juno opening details

Style & purpose of opening-opening sequence

-title sequence-teaser

Length of opening

Type of font Colour of font Animation of text

Placement of text

Style:-standard opening sequence&-animated title sequence

_______________Purpose:-establish indie style, character and setting

2:26

_______________Why?

Short and sweet establishments.

Sans serif (like a amateur drawing)

_______________Why?

Teen theme

Multiple – yellow, orange, pinks

_______________Why?

Cheerful colours

Like an amateur drawing (wiggling)

_______________Why?

Not serious, comedy appeal

All over the screen in various places (depending on the visuals

_______________Why?

No significance

Juno Full list of titles

Start of opening

The film starts as a standard opening sequence which is normal footage which establishes:

• the main character

• and the setting

Style of opening

• The film then transitions into animation which more is similar to a title sequence style.

CREDIT 1

• Time: .12

• Possessory

• Distributing company

Typical to have distribution company as first credit as they invested the money have ownership of film

CREDIT 2

• Time: .17

• Possessory

• Production company

Next it is the production company as they have a large role as they produced the film, they have control over where film was filmed sets, filming, editing etc.)

CREDIT 3

• Time: .21

• Crew

• Director

Director has 1st credit as their role is quite important in this film (above the actors as they come after)

TITLE 4

• Time: .28

• Title of the film

The title of film has the biggest size and the animation flashes in order it gets the most attention and is very noticeable.

The main actress Ellen Page is placed in the shot as she is quite important

Credit 4

• Time: .35

• Cast

• Main actor gets top billing (first credit)

Credit 5, 6, 7, 8

CREDIT 5 CREDIT 6 CREDIT 7 CREDIT 8

Time: .40

Cast

Main Actor 2

Time: .44

Cast

Supporting Actor 1

Time: .52

Cast

Supporting Actor 2

Time: .58

Cast

Actor