This document provides information and guidance for a coursework unit on creating title sequences for horror films. It introduces the objectives of looking at key features of titles and openings. Students will create a 2 minute opening title sequence and blog about the research and planning. The document discusses analyzing genres, narrative, characters and atmosphere in existing title sequences. It provides several links to online resources about title design and existing student title sequences. The goal is to help students understand conventions and plan their own original horror film title sequence.

1. The Titles and Opening of a
New Horror Film

2. Aims & Objectives – Todays Lesson
 To introduce the coursework unit
 To look at the key features of a title sequence so that
you understand the conventions

3. Foundation Portfolio in Media Unit
50% of AS year
20 marks for research & planning BLOG
20 marks for evaluation
60 marks for 2 min opening title sequence
Any questions?

4.  I will give you a
blog task list to be
completed either
individually or as a
group

5.  All of your
work MUST
be presented
on your blog

6. What is the purpose of a title
sequence and film opening?

9. MAIN TITLE DESIGNER KYLE COOPER HAS BEEN CREDITED AS THE MAN WHO SINGLE-HANDEDLY REVITALIZED THE MAIN
TITLE SEQUENCE AS AN ART FORM.
HIS GROUNDBREAKING TITLE SEQUENCE FOR SE7EN (1995) CHANGED THE WAY WE LOOK AND THINK ABOUT TITLE
DESIGN TODAY AND IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMITATED MAIN TITLE EVER MADE.

10. Analysing the Title Sequence for Seven
 GENRE - What elements of the sequence enable you to
recognise the genre of the film?
 NARRATIVE – are elements of the narrative established?
Are ‘enigma codes’ established?
 CHARACTER – are characters established? Who and
how?
 ATMOSPHERE – How is the atmosphere established?

11.  Watch this interview with Kyle Cooper, the designer of
the Seven Title sequence. Note down any points that
will help you when planning your sequence.

13.  http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/

14. This sequence is a really novel way of representing the titles,
but also gives us a sense of the characters, even though
only one character appears and then only on his ID card.

15. Nine of the most influential title designers, all of whom have had a
big influence on the development and history of title design.

16. Saul Bass
On of the most influential title designers in film, his
collaborations with the director Alfred Hitchcock turned title
design into an art form & influenced a generation.

18. http://www.watchthetitles.com/

19. VERY USEFUL RESOURCE
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-
art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

20. Search for student films on YouTube

21. GENRE
ATMOSPHERECHARACTER
NARRATIVE

22.  http://asmedia1415sam2.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/P
re-Production
 The Film Before the Film
 https://vimeo.com/60964497
 ‘Watching’ Doc
 http://candititlesteaching.blogspot.co.uk/search?upda
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