Functions of an opening title sequence

 Functions of an opening title sequence 

 

Titles are used to present the institutional and creative names involved in funding, making and producing the film. Although they are incorporated at the end of the film, key information is often shown at the beginning of the film, this is referred to as a title sequence. 

 

 

Below are all the different names/variables that must be included in the title sequence. 

Money (investments) 

Production 

Directors name film 

Main star 

Film title 

Actor 1  

Actor 2 

Actor 3 

Actor 4 

Actor 5 

Casting 

Costume designer 

Music 

Edited 

Production designer 

Director of Photography 

Executive Producer 

Produced by 

Based upon 

Screenwriter 

Director 

 
 

Title sequences are more than just names, as they can be used to reflect the genre as well as the style of the film. This can be done through factors such as; font, colours, transitions and edits, framing, place of credit. Moreover, in addition to reflecting tone and genre of the film it also can give the audience an idea of the narrative and what to expect with the duration of the film. Furthermore title sequences can also introduce characters as well as well as introducing time, date and setting. 

 

Here is an examples below:  

 

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020) 

 

Directed by Cathy Yan 

Writers: 

 Christina Hodson, Paul Dini  

Top billed cast: 

 Margot Robbie, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead  

 

 

 

 

In the Birds of prey title sequence, we can see how genre has been introduced, immediately suggesting to the audience the fictional and comical nature to the film. This sequence also shows a mischievous and childish tone, reflecting the characteristics of the potential mentally ill Harley Quinn the main protagonist, as we are shown a series of trippy images (as seen above), along with the dark infinite space like black bordering that gives a sense of isolation within the character. The non-diegetic sound track reflects the action genre with a fast tempo and rap over the top with battle like undertones gives the connotation that there will be non-stop action from the get go. This scene also suggests that there could be a dark element to this film due to the imagery portrayed in this title sequence.  

 

 

Through looking into the birds of prey title sequence we can see how much information we have been given and the assumptions we make early on due to small hints, we now have a good sense for the tone, genre and are introduced to the protagonist/antagonist as well as setting, location and time to a certain extent. This shows how title sequences can be used effectively and help to set up the text before the main part of the film begins.