Titles: 'what are they and how can they be used?'

Titles appear at the opening of a film in order to inform the audience of who has been involved in the production of a film. They show key institutional information. 

Traditionally, you would expect the twenty one titles to appear in this order: 

Money 

Production 

Directors name film 

Main star 

Film title 

Actor 1 – (end of main section) 

Actor 2 

Actor 3 

Actor 4 

Actor 5 

Casting 

Costume designer 

Music 

Edited 

Production designer 

Director of Photography (DOP) 

Executive Producer 

Produced by 

Based upon 

Screen play (writer) 

Director

Titles can be used in a number of creative ways, helping to support the tone and narrative of the opening. This includes the font, colour and placement of the titles. For example, the opening title sequence of "500 Days of Summer"is particularly successful in establishing the tone and genre of the film."500 Days of Summer" 

 

The title sequence clearly establishes the two main film protagonists of the film as home film footage that appears quite grainy appears on the screen. The first two shots are extra close up shots of one of each of the character's eyes which immediately hints some sort of relationship between the characters. The fact that the two characters appear side by side indicates that these characters did not know each other when they were young but will be somehow connected in the film. Since we see these characters appear side by side and appear to be the same age, one might infer that they may end up being romantically involved in the film. This indicates that the film is likely to be a romance film. 

The non-diegetic soundtrack that plays over the top has quite a light-hearted tone and mentions the word "us" and "we're" throughout further conveying the impression that these characters will be be connected throughout the film. It is difficult for the audience to know exactly when the film is set but due to the fact that the old home film footage is coloured we know that it must have been set some time in the modern era. However, it is quite grainy which suggests that the footage was taken before the time in which the film is set. It also creates an atmosphere which is perhaps realistic and not so polished which suggests that the tone of the film might reflect this. Therefore, it might tell a realistic story that is easy for the audience to relate to. Although the film does not reveal exactly where the film is set, we see several shots of a playground, a pond and a tractor that resemble the modern day world which suggests that it is modern, real-world setting. The font used is also very simple which contributes to the simple and authentic tone.