Task 5 - What Makes a Good Title Sequence?

What makes a good title sequence? - An interview with Kyle Cooper 

What is Kyle Cooper credited with?

• Kyle Cooper is credited with being the only person who single-handedly revitalised the main title sequence as an art form. His work was seen as "important design innovations of the 1990s" by the New York Times Magazine. 

What does he think makes a good title sequence?

Three things Kyle Cooper believes makes a good title sequence are:

1. Sequences which make their way into the film seamlessly
2. Title sequences which set an expectation
3. Sequences which make you want to carry on watching the film

What is important about the font used in the film "Seven"?

Two things that was important about the font in the film "Seven" are:

1. It gives us an insight of the plot of the film - this is done by the use of the font that is similar to handwriting which is linked with the serial killer in the film keeping journals 
2. Due to the fact that it gives us an insight into the plot of the film it also sets the tone and scene for which the audience can now - after the title sequence - be aware of what to expect

What reasons does he give for liking the following title sequences?

The Dead Zone (1983)	To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
He liked the simple typography used and the music which he found “great” – this played out overtime      He liked the mystery behind the title sequence of this film	He liked the obsessions in the film itself being portrayed in its title sequence. For example, the treasure box      In the title sequence he really liked the “beautifully photographed marbles”      The forms of horizontal line used in the title sequence with, for example, the balls – which he believes created a good contrast      He liked the integration of typography used in the title sequence

What does he mean by "story based" main title sequence? 

• Kyle Cooper means that the title sequence should have a specific back story when it is 'story based' and it should possess a clear metaphor for the audience to understand and make assumptions from this about the film.

What problems might a studio face after an audience test screening?

• The problems a studio may face after an audience test screening are not having an enough budget to re-do another shoot or another scene but also the audience not understanding particular aspects of the sequence. 

Why do the 2 ½ minutes of the title sequence become important for the studio?

• There are three ways in which this is important:

1. So the audience can understand better the title sequence better
2. For it to potentially become another scene or a prologue for the film
3. To help put in some extra information into the title sequence that was left out

What do the title sequence to "Dawn of the Dead" try to do?

• The title sequence for this film tries to set the movie and the scene up so the title sequence essentially becomes a part of the film itself and to also advance the plot.

Why does Cooper think titles are so important to a film?

• Cooper believes titles are so important to a film because they help the movie by telling a back story of the plot to put the audience in their place in which they are supposed to be at the head of the film. In addition, he also thinks that designers can tell a story through title sequences which helps them express their creation of the content.