"The Look of Saul Bass: Title Designer"

Saul Bass is a major influence on the rise of title sequences for feature films. As a graphic designer and a filmmaker heis best known for his title sequences, film posters and corporate logos. He made title sequences for Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. His sequences started a trend and moved title sequences in a new direction.

"He did something very simple very graphic very modern. And he did that with very economical means."

"To set up a context. To take you from the time when you're getting your popcorn to to bring you to the place where you need to be to follow this story to put you in that context."

"People kind of woke up and said, hey the main title sequence can be a vehicle by which he artist may express himself...he did something that was graphically innovative."

His simplicity, but very telling and purposeful titles re invented another aspect to the entire art of storytelling.

Hey guys, my name is Hugo and I'm really excited about taking MG&A and working in After Effects and Maya.  I'm hoping to learn a lot this semester, so hopefully by the end of it I'll be able to create some title sequences of my own, but for now I'll leave you with this piece I really enjoy.

This is Superbad's opening credits sequence. I really enjoy the retro style and the simplicity of it, plus it's a lot of fun watching Michael Cera's and Jonah Hill's "dance moves".

Also, some of you might have already seen this, but this is a cool short called "A History Of The Title Sequence." It's actually supposed to be the titles for a fictitious documentary about - of course - the history of the title sequences. It shows the names of some iconic designers while referring to some elements and characteristics of their different styles.

A History Of The Title Sequence from From Form on Vimeo.

Title Sequence Project

When searching for my next title sequence I found this very interesting video and explanation...

A History Of The Title Sequence from jurjen versteeg on Vimeo.

And here is the explanation...

"Designed as a possible title sequence for a fictitious documentary, this film shows a history of the title sequence in a nutshell. The sequence includes all the names of title designers who had a revolutionary impact on the history and evolution of the title sequence. The names of the title designers all refer to specific characteristics of the revolutionary titles that they designed.
This film refers to elements such as the cut and shifted characters of Saul Bass' Psycho title, the colored circles of Maurice Binder's design for Dr. No and the contemporary designs of Kyle Cooper and Danny Yount.

This title sequence refers to the following designers and their titles:
Georges Méliès - Un Voyage Dans La Lune, Saul Bass - Psycho, Maurice Binder - Dr. No, Stephen Frankfurt - To Kill A Mockingbird, Pablo Ferro - Dr. Strangelove, Richard Greenberg - Alien, Kyle Cooper - Seven, Danny Yount - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang / Sherlock Holmes" - Jurjen Versteeg



For the next project, I was thinking about creating a "Going the Distance" title sequence. I love the movie and I love the title sequence. It will be difficult to make it my own because I love how the original one was made. It is also a bit intimidating because of all the layers and motion. I will have to channel Georges Melies and Saul Bass for their creativity! The company who created this title sequence is Imaginary Forces. They have created many mainstream title sequences and I am definitely going to look into more of their work. They have a great website!