Titles

[Dave Watterson]

How important are titles in kicking off a movie?

At one extreme we have complex computer animation logos and titles that try
to be Fred Astaire dancing around the screen.
At the other we have plain black letters superimposed on the image like a
funeral announcement.

But in between some directors work hard to set the mood and tone of their
movie by picking lettering carefully and playing the titles over scenes chosen
to build up the desired atmosphere.

Some overseas festival still have special awards for titles. Should we think
about that in UK?

Dave - the subtitled - Watterson

[Michael Slowe]

"Dave Watterson" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

How important are titles in kicking off a movie?

At one extreme we have complex computer animation logos and titles that
try
to be Fred Astaire dancing around the screen.
At the other we have plain black letters superimposed on the image like
a
funeral announcement.

But in between some directors work hard to set the mood and tone of their
movie by picking lettering carefully and playing the titles over scenes
chosen
to build up the desired atmosphere.

Some overseas festival still have special awards for titles. Should we think
about that in UK?

Dave - the subtitled - Watterson

Dave, you are so right, titles are very important in setting the style and
standard of a production. I take great care with mine and try and avoid
all the spinning and turning unless there is a good reason for it. Nothing
beats nice clean white lettering (with drop shadow) on the appropriate background,
usually video.

Please though not another class of competition, let's just agree that titles
are part of the presentation and should be judged along with the whole piece.

[Ned C]

I have just watched a short piece on the Independent Film Channel, run time
about 5 minutes, one location, interior of a diner, three actors plus some
background people. The credits ran for a couple of minutes and covered the
full complement of a feature film crew, even to a second AD!! No wonder the
network TV channels here run the credits at an unreadable speed.

Ned Cordery

[AN]

"Ned C" <class@foamwst.net> wrote:

I have just watched a short piece on the Independent Film Channel, run time
about 5 minutes, one location, interior of a diner, three actors plus some
background people. The credits ran for a couple of minutes and covered the
full complement of a feature film crew, even to a second AD!! No wonder
the
network TV channels here run the credits at an unreadable speed.

What I consider unfair is the name of say, the stand by carpenter/best boy/assistant
grips etc. being given the same sized titles and prominence as the Director's
name. I suppose it's the power of the film unions that insists on this being
done on the credits.
BTW, what/who is the best boy that appears on film credits? ....all sounds
a bit dodgy to me, dearie!
Albert..worst boy.

[Atta Chui]

I love the time when I was in NYC where I could watch IFC as often as I like.
Do we have IFC or something similar sky/cable channels in UK?

Film 4 maybe? I tried it for 2 months and did not quite like it. Films were
too old.

Atta

"Ned C" <class@foamwst.net> wrote:

I have just watched a short piece on the Independent Film Channel, run time
about 5 minutes, one location, interior of a diner, three actors plus some
background people. The credits ran for a couple of minutes and covered the
full complement of a feature film crew, even to a second AD!! No wonder
the
network TV channels here run the credits at an unreadable speed.

Ned Cordery