RESEARCH: What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?

KYLE COOPER

Kyle Cooper is a director and designer of film title sequences.

He holds an MFA in graphic design from the Yale School of Art,

And is said to have “single-handedly revitalised the main title sequence as an Art Form”. He has created over 100 film title sequences, among them the notable sequences of the Spiderman movies and Superman Returns.

 What makes a good title sequence?

According to Kyle Cooper a good title sequence consists of:

Getting the audience excited and into the films world and dovetails seamlessly into film propositions. Also, setting an expectation and to set the overall impression that you’re trying to achieve.

Se7en

The hand-written font creates a serial killer's style of scratching and integrating his

insanity into the movie; creating a mood for the audience of a sinister, psychopathic tone. It's just another tool which shouldn't be an afterthought but integration. 

Kyle Cooper likes many film titles including DeadZone and To Kill A Mockingbird:

To Kill A Mockingbird:

 The opening sequence encapsulates the Scout's obsession with her treasure box through distorted macro objects. The vertical typography worked well with the rounded objects (visuals) which created a good contrast.

DeadZone:

 The simple typography, included with the mysterious music in background sparked his interest in progressing his skills with typography, music and Graphic Design in the film industry.

 
"Story-Based" Main Title Sequence:

Definition:

Poster-like pun showing specifically what the film is about (a metaphor) and creating a back-story and a clear metaphor.

The problems after audience test screening:

 Not enough budget to go do another shoot/scene.

Test audience doesn't understand the particular idea of the opening.

Importance of a 2 1/2 mins of the opening:

 It advances the plot of the movie.

It also helps Designers make the creation of the content to tell the backstory, whilst including as minimal but as many key elements of the film to engage the audience.