Research into Title Sequences

The main purpose for a title sequence is to display and acknowledge the people featured in and that have helped to develop a film. A title sequence can contain any number of titles, sometimes just including the title and director, or other times involving down to such roles as make-up artist and location photographer. The title sequence can also be used to tell the audience the genre and what to expect within a few seconds, however this is mainly used in TV shows and this has proven to be successful with the opening sequence to a popular American TV show, "Dexter".

  The show follows a serial killer who also works in the Miami Metro police department as a blood splatter analyst. The title sequence is simple, it shows Dexter's morning routine as the credits roll but what makes this sequence the perfect fit for this show is the little details. Firstly, his face is never shown in focus until the very end when he leaves his apartment. Secondly, there are extreme close up shots that show his blood dripping in the sink after cutting himself whilst shaving, the blood is dripping next to the plug hole which is a well known famous shot from the horror film 'Psycho'. Other extreme close up shots include his hands gripping onto the cafetiere to connote his physical strength, the knife as he cuts into a blood orange, ketchup dripping onto his plate that's made to look like blood and a shot of him locking his door with the key which connotes he hides who he truly is which is made obvious after watching the show. The show has won various awards since first airing in October 2006 but the title sequence alone won two OFTA Television awards in 2007 for Best New Theme Song in a Series and Best New Titles Sequence in a Series as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design. 

Discrete title sequence

These are separately filmed clips that are played before the film starts. It's usually there to set the mood and tone for the rest of the film. It's known as a mini film, before the actual film. An example would be James Bond: Skyfall, the title sequence of Skyfall sets the mood for the rest of the film due to the sound, editing, cinematography and mise-en-scene. It includes a professional feel to the characters for wearing smart clothing whilst being surrounded by graves, weapons and blood. The music by Adele sets a suspense mood and the editing and cinematography is done to manipulate the audience, James Bond steals the title sequence by featuring in it the most therefore allowing the audience to recognise who we will expect to see the most of in the actual film, it almost foreshadows the film.

Stylised
A stylised title sequence is something that relies mostly on it's editing to set the mood. A lot of the editing is used within the front and text shown, for example if it's sharp lettering people will assume the film will involve danger. It seems as though the text is within the scene itself. An example would be Zombieland.

Credits over a blank screen 
This is more of a suttle title sequence, it tends to involve a blank screen with a contrast colour writing. The mood depends upon the colours and sound used to set the tone. Sometimes this can be effective for thrillers as people have to make their own judgement of the film by the colours, font and sound involved. Narrative opening This is also another simple but effective way of a title sequence because there is someone actually speaking to the audience. This allows the audience to make a judgement of this character before they are introduced as an actual character in the film. This is done by the tone of their voice, whether their male or female, young or old. It allows the audience to get an insight to the character.

Narrative opening
This is also another simple but effective way of a title sequence because there is someone actually speaking to the audience. This allows the audience to make a judgement of this character before they are introduced as an actual character in the film. This is done by the tone of their voice, whether their male or female, young or old. It allows the audience to get an insight to the character.