G321 - Importance of Titles

Different fonts are used in title sequences to help connote the genre of the film as well as to reflect the narrative of the film that is to follow. For example, Romantic Comedies are likely to have flowing, loopy writing to connote happiness and a carefree nature whereas horrors are likely to use fonts that look like dripping blood.

Romantic Comedy Example - P.S. I Love You (2008)

Horror Title Example - You're Next (2011)

The size of the titles used are also important in terms of presentation. Small titles allow the viewer to focus on the action whilst bigger titles that take up a lot of the screen cause the reader to take notice of the clearly significant title being shown. This difference is most evident within the same opening, when the actor's names are smaller than the film's title, such as in Shutter Island;

The colour of the font used can also be an important indication into the genre of the film. However, this usually works in conjunction with the font. For example, the use of red titles is common in both horror and romance films and the use of white titles is extremely common amongst thrillers, horrors and action films. 

White text used for a Horror

White text used for an Action

Some titles sequences, like that of Casino Royale, are animated and reflect the narrative that is to follow. This is usually due to the film having a larger budget which can be spent on the intricate animation and editing processes and are most commonly found in mainstream films. On the other hand, title sequences can also be extremely basic and simply be text over-layed on the first scene of the film. This technique is most frequently used by independent institutions of on films with lower budgets, however is also adopted by films that will receive no benefit from a lengthy, extravagant title sequence.

Some films don't include title sequences at all. This can be for a multitude of reasons. The most common is to prevent the titles from distracting the viewer from the events within the film. However, this is not a common occurrence as generally members of the production team and cast will have to have their names displayed on screen for a certain duration of time for legality purposes.

This research will help me when it comes to making my own film as it has helped me to understand the significance of the presentation of our titles. To ensure that the genre is indicated correctly, the titles must be reflective of this so as not to confuse the viewer.