start

when going to the cinema or watching a film at home there's always a few film logos telling you who and what companies made the film or television programme. There usually about 10 seconds long these mini advers are there to show the audience (if they're paying attention) how good their production company is and convince the audience that the film they're about to watch is of a similar standard to the ident (logo).

THE ART OF THE GOLDEN ARM

during this project i will look into the creation of film and tevevision idents or titles. blah blah blah.....

WHAT MAKES A FILM/TV COMPANY IDENT?

this clip is of the 1972 ident for universal. this was the about the 4th or 5th ident universal had made and one of my favourites as for some reason i think the world looks like its made out of the same clay they used to make all the monsters and dinosaurs from films like 'One Million Years B.C' and 'Jason and the Argonauts'

Trains figure prominently into North by Northwest, so it is no coincidence that Saul Bass would design a title sequence that opens with lines crisscrossing the screen like railroad tracks. After a few seconds, however, it becomes apparent that the lines have come to form a different shape - that of a skyscraper. In large block letters, the film’s title and the names of the featured actors swiftly move up and down the screen like elevator cars. Soon after, the lines seamlessly merge into an actual shot of a building, with a sea of yellow taxis reflected in its mirrored façade. Bernard Herrmann’s score swells in the background, and Bass’ titles continue to run as the action shifts to crowded Manhattan street scenes. The final credit (for the director) appears as a portly man (Hitch in his trademark cameo) races in attempt to catch a bus, only to see the doors shut in his face.

themes that relate to title sequence designed for tv/broadcast

themes that relate to title sequence designed for film/cinema

the title sequence of television programmes is around 30-40 seconds although some HBO productions have a much longer time and range around 3-4 minutes long.
the standard aspect ratio for television productions is a 4:3 ratio and but recently some programmes have changed it to more of a widescreen as the popularity of widescreen tv's have gone up. the titles have to match the programme or else you'll see a noticable change between title and programme.
the use of the screen is important as it can be used to maintain the audiences attention.

this title sequence from the television show 'Dexter' is one of my favourites as it brilliantly shows the viewer subtle hints as to what Dexter's dark passion is.
the title secquence is a series of close up shots of dexter getting ready for work in the morning. The typography in dexter is They are simple, yet brutally elegant in their blood-red appearance and defiant capitals, with the title’s edges spreading like a fresh blood splatter. the contrasting colours in the egg section really stand out. The red tomato sauce against the yellow egg yoke is great as this colour combo is often used as warning and danger signals.
there are so many links to killing in this opening title sequence such as suffication when he puts his tee shirt on and it streches over his face. Or pressing down on his coffee purculator and watching the bubbles come up to the surface. Everything we need to know about Dexter Morgan is laid out in a neat little package in these titles, and the little nod he gives at the end tells the audience that they haven't been speculating and infact they just might be correct about dexter

Bass became widely known in the industry after creating the title sequence for Otto Preminger's The Man with the Golden Arm (1955). The subject of the film was a jazz musician's struggle to overcome his heroin addiction, a taboo subject in the mid-'50s. Bass decided to create a controversial title sequence to match the film's controversial subject. He chose the arm as the central image, as the arm is a strong image relating to drug addiction. The titles featured an animated, black paper cut-out arm of a heroin addict. As he expected, it caused quite a sensation.
also working with Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese.

The first is Kyle Cooper’s brilliant title sequence, which provides us with our first glimpse of John Doe as he toils in his lair. Doe passes the time by shaving off his fingertips, writing down what is later described as his “mind poured out on paper,”, developing photographs, blackening out text or images, and binding his numerous books. The title sequence ends with an inverted shot of tweezers delicately removing the word “God”, while we sweep past the shelves of books as Trent Reznor screams “You get me closer to God!” Thus, the image and audio explain what drives Doe into his madness. These vile acts Doe commits are a perverse method of attaining spiritual enlightenment.

http://ww2.zombieinitiative.org/node/2

critique of title sequence
Kyle Cooper's Se7en

(BIG BRITISH CASTLE)

MAVERICK RENEGADES OF THE TITLE SEQUENCE

WITH A NAME LIKE THAT YOU KNOW HE'S GUNNA BE AWESOME!

The original BBC logo is the best example of logotypes. Primarily, BBC logos were designed with an Italic typeface and they performed admirably for a noble period. However, in 1997 the BBC logo was refurbished reflecting a more strong and bold image for the corporation and its programs. They got rid of the italics because it would be hard to blow up the logo without the edges becoming blurry.

BBC logo is featured in the bold typeface to portray its prerogative attitude and supremacy. Gill Sans font is used for the initials in the BBC logo. The particular font enables the BBC logo to protrude a simple and bold typeface to show its strength, authority and class.

dexter title sequence breakdown

The image/object/logo
These are the usually placed in the centre of the screen and are usually something grand and striking. They want the audience to see how great they are because they see their films as being these great, epic pieces of work. There made to stand out and be instantly recognisable.

The typeface/text
Either elegant or bold. Again they want the audience to see how special they are whether it’s a classy cursive text often used to symbolise nobility or a loud and bold text to symbolise strength and power.

The music
Instantly recognisable. They want something that viewers will be able to hear and recognise without seeing the logo. Usually orchestral to convey grandiose.

The factors that make up a Hollywood logo

The sequence shows John Doe working to bind one of his many diaries of thoughts. As the final tracking shot shows, he has crafted quite a collection, as Somerset later exclaims “there are close to two thousand notebooks on these shelves.”. Not only has Doe hand-crafted each notebook, but he also lines his apartment with photographs. Doe’s efforts show him to be cultured, intelligent, tedious, and patient, with a deep sense of artistic expression he is willing to suffer for. His struggle to recreate the seven deadly sins through murders can thus be seen as his conception of a religious masterpiece, a piece of grotesque performance art which cannot be appreciated without “seeing the complete act,”, and the opening sequence demonstrates his talent, devotion, and depravity.