Title Sequence Timeline

BATMAN – THE DARK KNIGHT

Title 2• LEGANDARY PICUTRES• 0.25 seconds

Title 5• A FILM BY

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN• 0.57 seconds

Title 3• DC COMICS • 0.40 seconds

Title 4• A SYNCOPY

PRODUCTIONS• 0.53 seconds

Title 1 • WARNER BROS.

PICUTURES • 0.10 seconds

Title 6• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES• 1.06 seconds

Title 7• CHRISTIAN BALE• 1.10 seconds

Title 8• MICHEAL CAIN• 1.13 seconds

Title 9 • GARY OLDMAN• 1.16 seconds

Title 10• ANNE HATHAWAY• 1.19 seconds

Title 11• TOM HARDY• 1.23 seconds

Title 12• JOSEPH GORDEN-LEVITT• 1.26 seconds

Title 13• MARION COTILLARD• 1.29 seconds

Title 14• GORDAN FREEMAN• 1.32 seconds

Title15• BASED ON BATMAN CHARACTERS

CREATED BY BOB KANE• 1.52 seconds

Title 16• SCREENPLAY BY

JONATHON NOLAN, CHRISTOPHER NOLAN

• 1.56 seconds

Title 17• STORY BY CHRISTOPHER NOLAN,

DAVID S.GOYNER• 1.59 seconds

Title 18• EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

BENJAMIN MEENIKER, MICHEAL E.USIAN, KEVIN DELANEY

• 2.03 seconds

Title 19• DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER

NOLAN• 2.20 seconds

AnalysisIn the opening of BATMAN - the dark knight rises, there are a number of titles presented in a sequence. I only analysed the first 2-3 minutes of the title sequence, writing down what they consisted of and the time they were presented. Each title was presented in capital letters, with no punctuation included, making it seem very sharp and direct to the audience which fitted the theme of the movie, as it is under the thriller genre. It was also created digitally. On average the titles were presented for just a couple of seconds making it slightly hard for the audience to read. The title content included the names of the actors and actresses, the directors and the producers, and the companies who made the film, such as WARNER BROS AND DC COMICS. There was not a wide range of colours used as the majority of it was in black and white. The only colour present was the use a deep red, usually linked with the image of blood and anger, representing the thriller genre. Throughout the sequence a variety of scientific equipment is being used in the background which is slightly distracting as a lot is taking place as the titles are being presented. This can distract the audience from reading the titles as they are more likely to take notice of what is taking place in the background.

Twilight – Breaking Dawn Part 2For my seconds analysis I decided to look at the opening title sequence of Twilight Breaking Dawn – part 2. This is a hybrid genre film of drama, romantic and fantasy, making it dissimilar to the thriller genre. The titles consist of the names of the actors and actresses, the names of the producers and directors and the companies who have funded the movie, such as Summit Entertainment. The reason I have chosen to analyse this particular title sequence is due to the interesting link of the effects used on the titles to the opening of the film, continuing from part 1. Again the majority of the titles have been presented as capital letters. However the main title of the film ‘ Breaking Dawn ’ was the one title that was not presented this way. The reason for this is to make it more noticeable so the audience can identify what the film is called. It also follows a pattern as this particular movie is a sequel to 4 other films and the title is always presented in the same way. The interesting feature I originally spoke about was the colour changing effect which was applied to the titles. The colours changed from red to white, signifying the blood turning cold which had a huge link to the story line. The action occurring in the background accompanies the theme of the titles as it is also displaying how the blood is turning cold.

ComparisonBoth Batman and twilight have sequels to their original films but are of completely different film genres. Batman is from the thriller genre; whereas twilight is a hybrid of drama, fantasy and romance. This signifies a huge difference in the main contents of the film but does it effect the difference in the titles presented?To begin with both of their title sequences consisted of titles presented in capital letters, making them seem very direct and sharp to the audience. These are shown in the images below. By using capital letters and simple clear sharp fonts the titles seem more apparent to the audience, making them clear and easy to read. This results in less confusion for the audience. Linking back to the genres of the films, the thriller genre fits well to the sharp direct message they are trying to give the audience and is commonly used. However for the hybrid genre of drama, fantasy and romance it is unusual to see. This takes us to the size of the fonts. Although all of the titles (except the name of the film) is presented using capital letters, the sizes do vary. The main message in each title is larger than the rest, such as the names of the actors and actresses. The smaller font size was applied to the introduction of each title.

Twilight – Breaking Dawn Part 2

BATMAN – The Dark Knight Rises

However there is also some differences in the two films. Apart from the different genre types the flow of the titles is also very different. The title sequence for Batman presented at a rapid rate making it difficult for the audience for the audience to identify what the titles are saying. Also the transitions used are scatty and sharp which occasionally are so quick the title can not be seen. Whereas the Twilight title sequence flows at a much slower rate with smooth transitions included. By applying transitions to the sequence it is a lot easier to read and flows much smoother.

The NotebookFor my final analysis I have decided to analyse a film under a hybrid genre of both romance and drama, The Notebook. Unlike the other 2 title sequences I have analysed, the majority of the titles are presented using lower case lettering. The only time capital letters are used are at a beginning of a sentence or the first letter of the names displayed. The titles consist of the actors and actresses names, the producers and directors, and the name of the film. They were created using a pure white and different front effect making them look slightly old fashioned. The colours in the back ground were deep reds and black representing the sunrise, as a character was rowing down the river. The deep red applied is commonly associated with love linking back to the romance genre. By using this colour the audience feel as ease and are aware that a love story is about to unfold. The backing music is also very calming which runs at a slow pace, also making the audience feel at ease and relaxed.

ComparisonThere are a number of differences between the titles applied in each sequence. The first obvious difference is the use of capital letters. In the first 2 analysis’s of the title sequences in Batman and Twilight, I highlighted the fact that both have consistently applied capital letters to the text. Whereas in The Notebook this is not apparent as only capital letters have been applied to the beginning of names. In my opinion they have appropriately added this feature to the text as it fits into the genre type well. For example, as The Notebook is a romantic the flow of lower case letters makes the audience feel at ease when reading them; whereas when capital letters are applied it creates an intense direct effect, best suited to other genres. Anther difference is the transitions that have been applied to each title in the sequence. For The Notebook and Twilight smooth flowing transitions have been added to the movement of one title to another. By doing so it is easier for the audience to identify what is written. Due to the genre types of each film, the transitions are suitable for the target audience and content. Whereas the title consistency in Batman is not so smooth. They titles switch from one to the other in a very disorganised manner, making the audience feel a slight disorientation. This may also be a weakness as it makes it harder to read. However due to the genre of the film being thriller, the purpose is to made the audience feel on edge and slightly uncomfortable, meaning the title sequence has relevance and a purpose.

A similarity of all of the films combined is the font colour and the colours expressed in the background action. Each sequence consists of white font colour and occasional deep reds. Although this is not fully consistent the majority of text seen has been presented in white. This is a common font colour used in many title sequences, regardless of the film genre. The colour expressed in the background action consists of deep reds, blacks and whites. Each title sequence has used a deep red during the short piece but each has a different purpose. The Batman title sequence consists of mostly black and white due to the scientific equipment being used and the newspapers and prints lying apparent in the background. The use of deep red signifies anger and courage. The reds are seen on a number of occasions, such as in the string linking a number of the prints together. This emphasises the courage of a character who is clearly on the hunt for batman himself. Another occasion the red is expressed is through the use of fire. Fire is a usually sign for anger or fear which are both emotions suitable and commonly used in the thriller genre. The deep red applied to the Twilight title sequence represents blood. The main message given from the title sequence is the formation of the blood turning cold. This is done through the text as the deep red transforms into a pure white colour. The use of red is also expressed through the sunlight representing love as one of its hybrid genre is romantic. Finally the notebook has applied the deep red to the river seen in the background. In this case the red is signifying the love of the characters and the storyline, matching the genre romance and drama. It is applied to help the audience feel calm and relaxed.

ConclusionBy conducting this analysis I have been influenced of how to piece together my own title sequence and what to include in it. The main features I am planning to include into my own title sequence is:• The use of dull colours• Possibly capital letters• The names of the actors and actresses• The names of the directors and the producers • TransitionsThese were all of the common aspect each film applied to their title sequence. As I am categorising my opening sequence in the thriller genre I believe each one of these features is appropriate to the genre and can be developed to make them more original to my own work. Here are some examples I have been influence by and will try and interpret myself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Aw2yZWaEU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDpjSr9VhG0

Twilight – Breaking Dawn Part 2

Batman – The Dark Knight Rises

The Notebook

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=558rexgg3ew