Research: Art of the Title

You Only Live Twice

We see Bond lying dead and the camera zooms into the blood. A pattern comes onto the screen, resembling an oriental umbrella. Behind this pattern is a womens eye, This is then replaced by red and Sean Connery’s name comes up. Preceeding this we saw the director’s and producers’ names. These are the three most important names in the film. The next words shown are the name of the film, ‘You Only Live Twice’, and the fact that it was originally an Ian Fleming book. 

The title being early in the sequence shows us that it is a relatively old film, because it is not early in the sequence, being a false older film, or later in the sequences like most modern day films. The main title names for the films are shown on a background of women and a volcano. This is a classic Bond theme, as well as the sillouettes and music, sung by Nancy Sinatra. This intro is instantly recognisable as a Bond film. 

Mission Impossible

Flame and sparks. The first thing we see is a fuse. The classic theme that was behind the original Mission Impossible TV series has been brought into the film opening sequence. Short cut clips are shown in time to the music, the strong beat behind the all too recognizable peice of music is in harmony with the length of the cut clips. 

As the clips of the rest of the film are shown, clips of the fuse are intercut into it. Showing us that everything is leading to something explosive. We see the names of the agents, and the names of the actors. These names preceed the end of this short sequence showing the main title of the film. 

The scene cross disolves into a man sitting in a plane seat. Important names still coming in and out, while the camera pans out to show a flight attendant. She offers the man a film. He turns her down, then reconciders once she pushes. He proceeds to be given a mission, this adds a layer of mystery for the audience. Pushing us to watch more and finish the film. 

Ocean's 11

Oceans 11 has a classic title sequence. This time period was when new ways of creating CGI were being invented. So this is much of what editors used, as it was new and inventive. The style of this title brings to mind Vegas. This is also where much of the film takes place. The slot machines, bright colourful lights and pin board LED lights is a precurser to the rest of the film. The film has stars of the time, like Frank Sinatra, and as such, his is the first name we see. 

The music of this title sequence is in time with the piece. During the first part, we hear small pizzacato sounds as the next number comes onto the screen. Once the number has apeared we hear a long legato note, and parts of the main pice of music that the film is known for. 

The sequence shows many different aspects of the rest of the film, as well as showing us the names of the main people in the film. During the early films, the name of the film was shown at the very begining. Most modern films the title is at the end. This film was half way inbetween, and as such, the actors names are shown first, then the title. However there are also names of other important people after the title is shown. This sequence is used as a blurb to the film, just as much as it is used to show the names of the major contributors to the film.