Titles

The role of titles is to give the institutional and creative names involved in funding, making and producing the film. They are basically the name of all the large above the line costs. They are included to show all of the large names involved in the film.

Traditionally, they are in white writing and a normal font, with the sole purpose of showing who is in the film/ who was part of the film. However, more recently, they are made more interesting and are able to reflect tone, genre and even narrative of the film. This can be achieved through font, colours and framing/ screen placement. 

For example I have picked out some pictures from the opening title sequence of 'Se7en.' Directed by David Fincher. The titles are white and have a weird glitchy and hand written effect. They seem slightly mysterious and out of place. Some of them are glowing, some of them look like they have been handwritten. Therefore we can assume that the film genre will  be a possible thriller, or maybe drama. We can also gather that it will be something to do with writing, or writing will be a key part of the narrative. 

 

There are usually 21 tiles in the opening sequence. This is the most common order of titles:

PRODUCTION COMPANY (distributor)

a PRODUCTION COMPANY production (producer)

a FILMMAKER film

Film Title

Lead Cast

Supporting Cast

Casting Director

Music Composer

Costume Designer

Associate Producers

Editors

Production Designer

Director of Photography

Executive Producer

Producer

Writers

Director

This is the opening credits to Se7en, directed by David Fincher (1995)

Here are some other examples of opening sequences:

Split (2016):

The Grand Budapest Hotel(2014):