Smashing Magazine Homework

1) ''The concept of score visualization first conceived by Oskar Fischinger in his film “Studies” anticipates the effects created by Saul Bass in “The Man With the Golden Arm” (1955) and later by Susan Bradley in “Monsters, Inc” (2001)''


(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hff329Wi0P0&feature=player_embedded)
(Monsters inc.)

• This is explaining how audio is used to the rhythm and pace of the titles therefore creating a better effect as it is more synchronised and catchy and this makes the viewers remember and recognise the tune of the film.

2) ''Maurice Binder worked on the title designs of 14 films about Agent 007, including the first episode, “Dr. No” (1962). Binder created the famous gun-barrel sequence, which became a signature for the Bond series''

• Because the Gun barrel became a bond film signature, this is something that Bond viewers like to see progress and continue to get them in the mood for a bond film so seeing a gun barrel this would automatically remind them of the sequence then they will get the theme tune in their head and want to watch the film.

3) ''It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention. Still, the interplay of typography and images was by no means ignored. ''

• This is interesting to me as I have sometimes done this myself, if a title sequence includes a enigma, this makes me focus on just the clip being played and not the titles even though they are placed in front of the clip and more visable to see I still ignore them.

4) ''While Cooper was working on the sequence for “Darkness Falls” (2003), some glass he was using suddenly split, and the crack cut across the eyes of a girl in an old picture. The incident added suspense to the effect''

•  I find this point interesting because without knowing the slice had been done by accident, this would make the viewers think more into the reason why it is across her eyes therefore creating a enigma, therefore attracting the audience and it shows how a simple mistake has caused such a big effect.

5) ''Using animated characters to introduce viewers to the story became a popular trend. Such talented graphic designers as Susan Bradley (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Ratatouille), Jaimi Caliri (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events), Dave Nalle (Corpse Bride), Michael Riley (The Back-Up Plan, Kung Fu Panda) and Michael Curtis (Brother Bear) use all manner of tools to test different approaches to designing titles.''

•  I find this interesting because looking at animated characters, you begin to feel like they are not animated but in fact they actually are the actor, this helps the audience to learn about the characters role and their personality already when they haven't even seen them in their normal form yet.