Titles, credits and animations oh my!

[azmyth]

So I'm working on the opening titles now. We decided that because the introduction is part of the story we didn't to take away from that by having distracting titles. I've seen some movies before that seem like the entire budget went into making the titles as cool and complicated as possible. How do you guys feel about simple, fade in and out text? Maybe a little more complicated than that.. (thought have having the text run down the screen but again.. it will cover up stuff going on in the intro).

Also, what is generally credited in the opening?

I know the principal cast, director, producer(s), executive producer, but who else? The intro sequence is 4 minutes long so we have to fit them all into that time frame,

[Janke]

I've done a truckload of main and end titles over the years. Most often, the main titles are simple, superimposed on the opening sequence, fade in & out.

If white doesn't show up well on the image, I've usually used yellow titles with a narrow black dropshadow. That's what Aki Kaurismäki has most often asked for, too.

who else

Editor, sound, composer, cameraman, lighting are often mentioned in the main titles, but it all depends.

Are some of them Union people? In that case, there may be some strict requirements...

In the end roll, everyone is mentioned.

[azmyth]

Yeah, At the time of filming none were Union. I know of ONE who might be, but she was just supporting. Alot of our main cast were first time actors, and we sort of had to pick based on who could dedicate the time required + acting talent. We couldn't totally pick the "best" actors as alot of those just couldn't commit to the project for that long.. due to other paying gigs.

I was thinking having like either green with a black glow, or vice versa or black with red glow. maybe toss some effect on them to give it some movement but otherwise make it simple.

[Janke]

green with a black glow, or vice versa or black with red glow.

Is it a horror film? Your color choices suggest that...

[azmyth]

lol yes its very much a horror film. Its a throwback to the campy films of the 80s.

[Bif]

On most films, opening titles don't credit a lot of people. Usually the "Title" itself, and the main starring actor or two. Not necessarily in that order either. Sometimes the "studio" and "producer". Like Janke says in the END roll... EVERYONE!

I'd keep it simple...

Bruce Foreman

[Dr. Benway]

I'd keep it simple...

And in keeping with the tone of your movie. You stated it references campy 80's films so there's a goldmine of inspiration and some practical models for who and when to credit them.

[Gillvane]

Recent trends

Many major American motion pictures have done away with opening credits, with many films, such as Van Helsing in 2004 and Batman Begins in 2005 not even displaying the film title until the closing credits begin. Similarly, Welles’ Touch of Evil originally waited until the end to display the title and the credits; however, Universal Studios took the film out of his hands, and his vision was not restored until 1998. Had Universal not wrangled Touch of Evil away from Welles, it might very well be the first film to follow this practice.

Francis Coppola’s Apocalypse Now (1979) even went so far as to not feature the title at all, except briefly as a graffiti sketch in Colonel Kurtz’ (Brando) compound. George Lucas is credited with popularizing this with his Star Wars films which display only the film's title at the start.[1] His decision to omit opening credits in his films Star Wars (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980) led him to resign from the Directors Guild of America after being fined $250,000 for not crediting the director during the opening title sequence.[2]

Hollywood had been releasing films without opening credits (except for the film's title) for many years before Lucas came along, most notably Citizen Kane, West Side Story, and The Godfather. However, "title-only" billing became an established form for summer blockbusters in 1989, with Ghostbusters II, Lethal Weapon 2, and The Abyss following the practice.[3] Clint Eastwood has omitted opening credits (except for the title) in every film that he has directed since approximately 1982.

[Khaver]

The kind of titles I like best are the ones with just a touch of slow zoom with a blurred fade in and out and not centered. Since it's a horror movie, you could "melt or drip" the titles in and out. They should be white, with a little drop shadow if required. I don't like colored titles, although in this case blood red titles would work.

Title
Music Composer(s) (if there is original music and songs that could be sold as a CD)
Editor(s)
Producer(s)
Writer(s)
Director

Since there are no A list actors involved, you don't need a list of actors in the opening titles.

[Janke]

Cinematographer (cameraman), too, if you include all the above.

[Almohada]

NO... NOT drop shadow. It's called "Outline Text" in Final Cut.

[Playing]

The more movies I watch at home the less patient I become with long title sequences. I guess in a cinema, where people still try to find there seats, it makes sense.

[KingDucky]

Don't make em cheesy. Cheesy titles make it look even more like an indie movie. Goodluck!

[HueyNRolf]

Simple answer: Don't do it.

A bunch of text on the screen seldom adds any value to a movie. Fake production-house logos, that stupid fake certificate screen, names of unknown actors etc. will just bore anyone not connected with the production, who cares?

Dissolve the name of the movie in over black, dissolve it out and lets go.

I guess you should credit everyone involved at the end, as a courtesy (or an obligation in some cases), but it will mean nothing to anyone else. It certainly won't enhance your work.

[paperkut12]

I agree with Huey. The faster it gets to the point, the better.

[azmyth]

I'm probably gonna see what it looks like with and without. As far as the fake production house logos, I get that.. but I have a business license to operate under my production company name so I'd want my film to be associated with it. I didn't just make it up on the fly and decide to make up some stupid logo, I've had it from the beginning. I plan to make all my features under that company. I do agree about the fake "MPAA" crap though. The main reason for putting credits at the beginning is because at the premiere, everyone sitting in that theater will KNOW the names on the screen, because they are all locals. To average joe.. when it releases on DVD yep.. they won't care. I'll probably try to find a happy medium.

[Janke]

The main reason for putting credits at the beginning is because at the premiere, everyone sitting in that theater will KNOW the names on the screen, because they are all locals.

Then that's your main reason.

If I were you, I'd have the name of the film, the lead actors, the director (and producer, if not the same), but no more.

[HueyNRolf]

To average joe.. when it releases on DVD yep.. they won't care. I'll probably try to find a happy medium.

Or do two cuts?

[azmyth]

Yeah, is it common now to omit all that? I've been watching alot of movies on netflix and I haven't seen too many without opening credits. hmmm.. I agree though, long credits = boring.

[arco1]

Title sequences can be used to set the tone of a movie. Some title sequences can be mini-movies in themselves. By the time the title sequence for "Se7en" has finished, you already know exactly what sort of film you'll be seeing. There's a website, "Forget the Film / Watch the Titles," <http://www.watchthetitles.com/> showcasing some of the more interesting title sequences.

That being said, it probably doesn't make much sense to spend a lot of time/money/talent on a title seq for a low-budget indie horror flick. I'd go with just the movie title at the beginning (maybe copying the style a campy 80s films) and complete credit scroll at the end.


Jim

[Janke]

I checked out your link

http://www.watchthetitles.com

- and can recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone interested in the subject. Great animation, great graphic design in many of the 116 examples! (No, I didn't watch them all... )

[azmyth]

probably gonna just see what works best, but if I do decide to keep the titles.. they will be simple and to the point.