miss whittackers homework-- read article

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

During the 1920s and ’30s, European cinema was deeply influenced by modernism, and aspects of this visual sensibility were brought to the US by filmmakers who were fleeing the Nazis.


The blackletter fonts in the opening credits were to evoke horror.Ribbon and flowery lettering show love and typography on a wanted poster suggested a western theme.


This is interesting because you can tell the genre of the film just by the colour and design of the typography in the title sequence.


Breakthrough ideas in titling, such as timing the typography to interact with metaphorical imagery or to create its own world, were largely innovations that came from outsiders to the Hollywood studio system.


This is interesting because they either use the typography as part of the title sequence, use it to pull you away from the visuals of the title sequence or are put in there just so you are able to see who is starring in the film.


If there were a hall of fame for film title design, Stephen Frankfurt’s sequence for the 1962 film “To Kill A Mocking Bird” would have a seat of honor.


Even though its in black and white it still gives modern happy music and suggests the genre of the film. The music contrasts the visuals and the typography is very small but professional like.


It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention.


I agree with this point as more audience members focus more on the visuals to give the storyline away and suggest the genre. The typography used to play a big part in title sequences by suggesting the genre and being made bigger for you to focus on them whereas now they are just an added part in the corner of title sequences.