It's All About the Credits

     In any film opening, there is something that is usually consistent throughout, and that is that we must credit the cast and the crew (which is arguably the most important part of any production).  

    But before we get into looking at some example opening credit sequences, I would just like share that my idea has been solidified (I can hear the cheers from the audience). I think I could explain it better in a later blog post, but what I will say is that we are definitely leaning more into the science fiction elements, but wanting to keep that strong character development with the dramatic elements. So as we go through, there will be predominantly more science fiction film openings, but I will try to incorporate some on the more dramatic side. 

Back to the Future (1985)

    In this ultimately rewatchable film, a teenage boy accidentally takes a time machine back in time 30 years to the year 1955 where he almost prevents his parents from ever meeting. 

    This film has one of the most infamously genius title sequences. It's simplicity allows form the plot development to be told through the mise-en-scene in such a delicate way. 

    Something about this credit sequence is how well it balances the inclusion of the important information without squandering how plot elements are being developed through the mise-en-scene. If you have rewatched this film as many times as I have (you haven't), then you will obviously pick up on just how many details lie within this opening scene. Because of the scene's intricacies, the credits have to be simplistic and not something that will take away from the elements of the environment. 

    With the concept of my short film, which will be revealed in my next blog post, it can get a bit fuzzy. I want to ensure that the credits are obviously noticeable, but not so noticable and loud that they take away from the content that is being developed. The Back to the Future opening scene simply does an amazing job at that. 

Gattaca (1997)

    This film follows a man who dreams of being an astronaut but has had his path blocked as he is deemed to be genetically lesser. As a result, he pays a man who has good genetics and assumes his identity in order to achieve his dreams. 

    What works well about this opening credit scene is how the text sort of correlates to the themes of the film, that being genetic and structural perfection. 

    

    This opening credit scene makes the content of the scene itself and the text meld together seamlessly, as if they were filmed at the same time. Like I said before, a major idea throughout the film is genetic perfection, and it feels (at least to me) like the text reflects that sort of "perfection". This can be seen through the font choice, as it is very clean cut and readable. Also, it ties to the genetic aspect of the film as the letters G, A, T and C are all in bold, which for those who are not familiar with biology are the first letters of the nucleotide bases. 

    For my film opening, I would like to do what this film did but making sure that the way the credits are presented feel connected to the content of the film. A big problem that I can foresee with making the credit sequence is that it feels unnatural or out of place. I would like to try to prevent that by keeping this film intro in mind when conjuring up the opening scene. 

It (2017)

    In the small town of Derry, Maine, a group of friends are tormented by an evil, shapeshifting  clown who comes out every 27 years to steal children to the sewers. 

    The opening credits to this film are another example of matching the text to the tone (put that on a t-shirt right now). This ensures that there is no deviation or separation from the content.

    This is generally one of my favorite opening scenes of all time (I included the whole thing just to bring me joy).  The part where the credits are rolling is supposed to be illustrating a dull life for the boys. Bill, the older one, is sick and Georgie, the younger one, just wants to go play in the rain. The whole scene is has a dull coloring, representing the boys' worldview at the moment. The way the credits are presented reflect the sort of calm and dull life before the storm, that being Georgie going missing. 

    I sort of like how the credits are toned down while still attributing to the state of the characters at the moment. I would like to include that sort of attention to detail within my credit sequence. The best thing I could probably. do with them is create that balance between understated, but also adding to the experience of the opening scene. 

    All of these opening credit scenes have something to add to my project, and I just hope that I can take the wisdom I have gathered from all this research and execute it well. I am feeling very confident i that is not apparent (I'm kind of losing it <3 ).

    Nevertheless, now for the movie quote of the day...

"Don't be what they made you." - Logan, Logan (2017)