RESEARCH: What Makes A Good Title Sequence According To KYLE COOPER

KYLE COOPER: 

What makes a good title sequence?

Kyle Cooper is a renowned and well-known title sequence creator, film-maker and art director, who has been incredibly successful in creating some world famous title sequences which moulded the way in which we see title sequences today. Some of his titles include 'Se7en' and 'Darkness Falls', which are still admired and used as inspiration for title sequences created today.

1: FLUIDITY

The Title Sequence Dubtails Seamlessly Into The Film

An imperative part of the title sequence is that it flows nicely into the rest of the film. If the title sequence is detached and not thematically or aesthetically similar to the rest of the film, it won't present the film in the right way. 

2: EXPECTATIONS

The Title Sequence Must Set An Expectation Of The Film

The title sequence must create expectations in the audience members. If it is captivating, the audience will be excited to be watching the film. The title sequence can build tension, build ideas and suggest the different paths the film will follow. A title sequence is successful if it creates high expectations in the audience and makes them excited and interested in the film. 

KYLIE COOPER MENTIONS 3 EFFECTIVE TITLE SEQUENCES

SE7EN:

The handwritten font in Se7en symbolises the handwritten notes of the protagonist, a serial killer who documents his actions and thoughts. The type adds to the overall tone and impression of the film, the hand-writing mirrors that of the killers. 

DEADZONE

Cooper draws inspiration from 'Deadzone', the simple but effective typography with the accompaniment of eerie and epic music encouraged him to further explore how typography and music could be used to create an interesting title sequence which sets a particular tone. 

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

To Kill A Mockingbird's title sequence clearly illustrates Scout's obsession with her treasure box, and the contrast between the type and the macro-objects is also something Cooper found fascinating.

• STORY BASED TITLE SEQUENCE 

A story based title sequence includes a metaphor/poster-based pun which illustrates what the film is about. 

• PROBLEMS AFTER AUDIENCE TEST SCREENS

Some problems may include:  

a lack of budget to continue the shooting and editing of the film after test audiences have seen the title sequence.

a test audience may not understand the concept of the opening.

• THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 2 1/2 MINUTES OF THE OPENING

The opening sets the tone of the film, establishes the genre. It also advances and adds to the plot of the movie - regardless of what happens later on, the title sequence will always be relevant to the plot and genre of the film. 

It also helps the editors, designers and film makers create a basic backstory and foundation of the plot line to express in the title sequence, without expressing too much about the main narrative.