Opening title analysis

Opening title analysis

Different ways they can be presented

1.    Titles accompanied by still images

2.    Titles accompanied with a series of moving images and can be alongside or over the top of the action (fade in/fadeout, dissolving)

1.    Titles built around animation or motion graphics

2.    The simplest titles are the ones that are superimposed on a blank screen. These kinds of titles utilize different typefaces, usually in white, over a black background. Since early films had no colour, and black and white titles were the only option.

3.    Titles can be inserted as standalone title shots in a title sequence this is conventional in the Bond franchise – or can be inserted over action shots.

The credits to Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can sum up pretty much everything that makes the movie so appealing; it is stylistic, elegant and fun.

The sequence is an animated representation of the loose premise of the movie, as the animated version of Tom Hanks gives chase to Leonardo DiCaprio.

The chase leads the two through various locations as the animated DiCaprio goes to ridiculous lengths to avoid his inevitable capture; it is an excellent way to set the audience up for what’s to come. The art design plays a big part in making-thus sequence so effective-a clear throwback to the 60’s, the era in which the films is set, everything flows into one.

This is aided by the credit style as letters from each credit is extended into the next and the colours change with each new costume. Along with excellently composed-and suitably 60’s Jazz inspired music by John Williams- it all works and is the perfect opening for this film.

David Fincher’s Se7en is often credited with reigniting interest in the Hollywood credit sequence, the film itself is an engaging insight into the psychotic mind and the limits to which people can be pushed too, before they break.

In these opening credits we are given a clear look at the movies killer, John Doe and the beginning of his process. With the appropriately creepy use of a remixed versions of Nine Inch Nails “Closer” it is clear what tone the rest of this film will follow.

The sequence itself starts with John Doe shaving off the prints on his fingers. We then see the rest of John Dos’s preparation, as he writes in his notebooks and looks through various disturbing photos. As all this is happening and the killer continues with his plans, the credits themselves flash up on screen, appearing almost as if they have been scribbled by John Doe into his notebook, as the music carries on in the background.

All the actors’ names are in the weird handwriting which shows that they’re linked to the film whereas the producers are in block capitals this shows that they could be trying to maybe distance themselves or maybe they may not be linked to it.

The opening credits to Se7en are disturbing and haunting, but more than anything they are memorable due to the credits being handwritten this portrays realism of the psychotic minds to the audience. In the opening titles you mirror the tone and style of the film; you create remarkably memorable credits without subtracting from the rest of the film.