6. Title sequence to the films from Art of the Title

TITLE SEQUENCES TO THE FILMS FROM 'ART OF THE TITLE'

The two title sequences I chose to analyse are the "The Raging Bull" and "Hackers".

The Raging Bull:

Starting with "The Raging Bull", the title sequence used comes from the category 'Titles over moving images' because throughout the opening, the text are still but there are moving images behind. The background images are mainly of a boxer on a boxing stage, could be warming up for a battle.

However, right at the start of the title sequence, the company of the film is shown with their logo to make the audience aware of their company as well as the film.

Film starts off with the company's name.

Secondly, the other titles start coming up informing us of the producers, photographer etc. The type of title sequence used here is from the category 'Titles on a blank screen' as the titles are shown on a blank screen. The most common white writing and black background is used to show high contrast and also because they are low budget,

Titles of the film producers and
photographers, editors etc.

Thirdly, the title of the film itself "The Raging Bull" comes on with a moving image of a boxer warming up behind the title. This is effective because the title almost implies that the boxer is the "Raging Bull". The title sequence used for this is from the category 'Titles over moving images' because the image behind moves while the text stay still. The red font also connotes that the film has something to do with danger, violence and maybe blood. 

The title of the film with moving image behind.

Fourthly, other titles start to come up with the same moving images behind the titles. The titles are placed nicely in between the ropes of the boxing stage with white writing as it stands out from the dark grey smoky background. 

Titles over moving images

And finally before the first shot of the film, the title sequence shows the director's name alone because he is the main person that made the film and people should be aware of whose film it is.

Director's name at the end.

When the film starts, the titles on a blank screen is used again and it offers simple information, that the story they are about to show happened in New York City in 1964. And then it shows the a clear zoomed shot of the posters that may be have been hanged in public and this gives the audience the idea that "Jake La Motta" has a big part in this film.

Posters

Right at the end of the title sequence, we meet our first main character, perhaps the boxer because he talks about his robe. This gives the audience a hint that maybe he is the main character of the film.

First character shown in the title sequence

Hackers:

Ending with the film "Hackers", the title sequence of this film is very different to the title sequence of "The Raging Bull" because it has colour, dramatic music and mainly, it starts off with a short scene with dialogue. The film starts off with the setting of a court where the judge announces that the main character(the child) cannot use technology until he is 18 years of age and he looks gutted by this. The main family was in court because someone in his family had hacked into many systems and this was the punishment.

First scene in court: Watch

After the hearing is announced, the titles start coming in with the simple white writing in a black background. This title sequence comes from the category 'Titles on a blank screen. It informs the audience of who's film it is and the company name.

Titles on a blank screen

The title sequence of this film doesn't only use 'Titles over a blank screen' but it also has 'Titles over moving images'. The moving images behind the titles show the main family getting out from court when a bunch of people with microphones start coming at them with many questions about the incident.

Titles over moving images 

Soon after, another title over a moving image is shown where it says, "7 years later" with a moving plane in the background. This is so that the audience are aware of who the characters might be when they realise it's 7 years later. They would expect the little boy to be grown.

"Seven years later"

The moving images continue as the titles continue to appear and if you haven't realised, the name of the director of the film come up twice (Ian Softley), perhaps to emphasise how much work he has put in it. Anyway, the shot here are taken from a horizontal 180' view and also from a birds eye view of the city while Ian Softley's name appear (again). The different angles used to capture the city could be to allow the audience to establish the location of the place. It seems like a part of the 'classic opening' as it shows city and buildings.

And finally, this title sequence shows the city from birds eye view slowly becoming a figure of technology. This is effective because it gives the audience clues that the film is about technology. Then the title of the film appears in intense light, also to represent the technology theme. The type of title sequence used for the title itself comes from the category 'Titles using animation or motion' because the title moves and blends in with the moving image of the technology city behind. It all goes with the technology theme