Title sequence
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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A title sequence generally refers to the method by which cinematic films or television shows present their title, key cast and/or production members utilising conceptual visuals and sound. It should not be confused with opening credits which are generally nothing more than a series of superimposed text.
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History
Since the invention of the Cinematograph simple title cards were used to top and tail silent film presentations in order to identify both the film and the production company involved, and to act as a signal that the film had started and then finished. In silent cinema title cards were used throughout to convey dialogue and plot and it is in some of these early short films that we see the first examples of title sequences themselves, being quite literally a series of title cards shown at the beginning of a film. The arrival of sound did little to alter the convention except that the sequence was usually accompanied by a musical prelude.
This remained the convention for many years until the advent of television forced the major film studios to invest in developing cinema in order to win back a diminishing audience. The "cast of thousands" epics shot on various patent wide-screen formats were a direct response to television's successful invasion of the leisure marketplace. Part of cinema's new prestigious and expansive quality were orchestral musical preludes before the curtains opened and long title sequences — all designed to convey a sense of gravitas it was hoped television would be unable to compete with. As cinema's title sequences grew longer we begin to see the involvement of graphic design luminaries such as Saul Bass, and influenced directly by this television in the 1960's revelled in creating strong graphics-led sequences for all many shows.
Film-makers at the beginning of the 21st century have many options open to them as regards title sequences. Some films superimpose opening credits over the opening scenes, while others elect to do away with titles entirely, instead including elaborate title sequences at the end of the movie.
The commercial environment that television inhabits encourages a more formatted approach and, although there are some one-off anomalies caused mainly due to production or technical errors, the television show without a regular identifiable title sequence of some kind is unknown. Even so, some series have opted for a simple flash of a title card and credits superimposed over the opening scenes (cf. Supernatural).
Cinema
Since the late 1950's films' title sequences have often become a showcase for contemporary design and illustration. The title sequences of Saul Bass and Maurice Binder are among the best examples of this though they inspired many imitators both in cinema and on television. In recent years Kyle Cooper's celebrated title sequence for David Fincher's Se7en (1995) again influenced a whole host of designers, though it is by no means unusual to see a film whose title sequence merely superimposes text over a black background, reflecting that the form's function remains the same today as it did with the advent of silent cinema.
Television
In general a television title sequence will at some point badge the show with a typographic logo. Around this key element can be incorporated shots of highlights from earlier episodes or shows and key presenter's or cast member's names. The theme tune can be an instrumental or a song and aided by the visual treament of the images will help to convey the tone and mood of the programme .
In serials, because a title sequence is produced at the outset of a series, it will usually include scenes from early episodes already shot when the sequence was prepared. Short clips of key characters will often climax in a freeze-frame as that cast member's name is superimposed. In and around these elements will be other footage depicting the locale (a particular city, country, building or fictitious location) in which the series is set and therefore its era. A title sequence might also be used to explain the premise of a series, traditionally utilising clips from its pilot episode.
Although a title sequence may be modified during a series to update cast changes or incorporate new "highlight" shots from later episodes, it will tend to remain largely the same for an entire season. Such is the strength of a title sequence in expressing the concept of a show, it will sometimes be the key element a producer will target in order to revamp a show between seasons. Therefore some shows have enjoyed several quite different title sequences and theme music throughout their runs, while in contrast some ever-popular shows have retained their original title sequences for decades with only minor alterations. Conversely, retaining a series' original title sequence can allow a producer to change many key elements within a programme itself, without losing the show's on-screen identity. Other variations include changing only the theme music whilst keeping the visuals or vice versa.
In contemporary television news a title sequence can be changed every day by including footage of that day's news with a presenter's voice "teasing" the items. This ensures that the title sequence appears fresh but still identifies the news programme by its music and visual style.
List of Television Shows whose title sequences have regular subtle changes
Some shows have title sequences that are subtly different in every episode (or season). Some famed title sequences with variables include:
- American Dad - where Stan picks up a newspaper with a unique headline.
- Battlestar Galactica (2004) - where a running tally of total human survivors is shown.
- Police Squad - each episode there is a different "Special Guest Star" who gets killed off during the title sequence and makes no actual appearance in the episode.
- The Critic - where Jay would answer a different phone call and later be shown reviewing a different movie parody clip each episode.
- The Dick Van Dyke Show - where Rob (Dick Van Dyke) enters through the front door and trips over the ottoman. Three versions were filmed: one in which he trips over the ottoman, one in which he steps around it, and a rarely seen third variation in which he avoids the ottoman but then trips on the carpet. Viewers were kept wondering which version would be used on any particular episode since the episode's editors were instructed to use them randomly.
- The Fairly OddParents - Vicky's head always turns into something different at the end.
- Frasier - the "Frasier" logo changes color every season, and 20 different animations involving the logo's skyline graphic alternate throughout its run.
- Futurama - where the text below the title and the cartoon clip playing on the big screen changes each episode.
- L.A. Law - where the personalized "LA LAW" license plate has a different validation sticker every season.
- A Nero Wolfe Mystery features title illustration and design by Aurore Giscard d'Estaing that is unique to each episode.
- The Rockford Files - where a different message is left on Rockford's answering machine.
- Seinfeld - where the "Seinfeld" logo changes color and style every season.
- The Simpsons has three main variables in its title sequences:
- "Chalkboard gag" - where Bart Simpson writes a different sentence on a blackboard in his classroom.
- "Sax solo gag" - where Lisa Simpson improvises a different solo on her saxophone as the teacher sends her out of the room.
- "Couch gag" - where the Simpson family sits on the couch in a different, "wacky" way.
- That 70s Show - similarly to L.A. Law, the license plate at the end of the credits signifies the year in which the episode takes place.
Computer Games
Soon after computer games began to appear on PC's as well as their own dedicated games units, many began using the conventions of film and television title sequences for their introductions. In particular adventure games often have CGI sequences which act as a teaser or cold open before a music-laden title sequence that does exactly what film and television title sequences do: prepare the viewer for the kind of experience he/she is about to have.
See also
