Saul (and Elaine) Bass Opening Tiltee Sequence

 PHYSCO

In this opening title sequence all of the opening credits have been shown with the use of motion pictures. However, in this sequence  there is not a single image, there are only lines which either chop up the font of the credits text or bring on or move off the credits that are being shown to the audience.

The theme isn't as clear as you may think. However, the way in which the sound track is used to influence the way in which the audience perceives this opening title sequence is as a horror/thriller. Primarily due to the fact that the piece of music that is complimenting the motion picture visuals, only consists of string instruments that are being played very aggressively making the audience feel quite uncomfortable as they are only seeing lines chopping up names (credits).Yet, not only does this make the audience feel uncomfortable it leaves the audience in suspense before they even know what is going on because of the soundtrack being so dramatic.

I would say that this is a very successful opening title sequence, even though it stays the same throughout the opening credits. In my opinion this is because Saul Bass was able to visually convey to the audience what tension and drama could come from this film only with the use of  motion pictures. 

Saul (and Elaine) Bass biography

Saul & Elaine Bass

Saul Bass was an oscar winning  filmmaker. Famous for his design of motion picture title sequences, film posters and corporate logos.

He designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in North America. For example, Bell System, AT&T, continental airlines and United Airlines.

Elaine designed title sequences alongside Saul Bass for 40 years. They employed different filmmaking techniques from 'Bunraku-style' manoeuvres in Spartacus to live action sequences in walk on the wild side, Nine Hours to Rama, The Victors, Seconds, Grand Prix through to the time-lapse photography in The Ages of Innocence.

In the 60's through to the late 1980's, Saul and Elaine decided to focus on filmmaking as-well as their children that were born in the 60's. Yet, it was only in the 80's that the Basses were rediscovered by two men James L.Brooks and Martin Scorsese. These two men had both grown up as admirers of Saul Bass's film work. From this late discovery they created the opening title sequences for Goodfellas along with others.