Opening Credits/Title Sequence

This blog post will concentrate on opening credits. I will explicate the purpose of opening credits and title sequence within a film, the difference between opening credits and a title sequence, and techniques employed throughout an opening sequence. 

Opening credits identify as "The credits shown at the beginning of a film or TV program.". The purpose of opening credits is to inform the film's audience which studios/production companies were involved in constructing the film. Also, opening credits display the names of the primary actors/actresses within the cast. 

A title sequence is an intro to a TV show or a film to display credits, but they set the tone of the film/ TV show and give the audience a taste of preparation for the film. A title sequence's primary function is to invite the audience into the tone, sense, genre, and pacing of the film within the first few seconds. A title sequence can also be a memorable scene that occurs before the movie/TV show begins.

The difference between opening credits and a title sequence is that opening credits are solely a list of accreditation of those who contribute to creating the film/TV Show. However, a title sequence begins to familiarize the audience with the film. You can identify the genre and tone only from the title sequence; with opening credits, you only specify the cast, production company, executive producer, production designer, director of photography, (etc.). 

Some techniques employed in an opening sequence are narrative openings, credits over a blank screen, a stylized sequence, and a discrete title sequence. The narrative opening technique is where the actor/actress's name appears on the screen alongside the character they play. This technique informs the audience of who is playing the film. Credits over a blank screen display a blank screen with the credits over the screen. This technique is applied to suit the film's plot and tone. The stylized method profoundly relies on editing and screen effects to grasps the audience's attention. The editing develops the title sequence itself. Lastly, the discrete title sequence includes separately edited sequences that are from the film, causing a short film before the actual film. This technique helps the audience interact with the film's tone.

Citations: 

https://www.slideshare.net/Billielowry/title-sequence-techniques

Chris Heckmann "Movie Opening: How to Make a Great Title Sequence" N.p. 17 May.2020

Thejus Kayanandath "Opening Credits VS Title Sequence" N.p., 25.Apr.2015.

https://booksite.elsevier.com/samplechapters/9780240814193/02~Chapter_1.pdf

Lewis McGregor. "Title Sequences-The Theory Behind Them And How To Make Your Own" IndieTips. N.p., 22. Feb. 2020

https://findwords.info/term/opening%20credits

Masterclass. N.p., 8. Nov.2020