what is the purpose of a title sequence

Thomas Sutcliffe says “Films need to seduce their audience into a long term commitment; while there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible”. I think he means to draw people into a film you have to do it right from the beginning to grab the audiences attention. 

 Jean Jacques Beineix also agrees with Thomas sutcliffe but also he believes building the storyline up at the beginning is better as they’re waiting for something to happen, which would be more effective than the puting the good part of the movie right at the beginning.

Sutcliffe says “a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn’t know nearly enough yet and at the same time make sure that it doesn’t know too little.” i think he  means it the beginning of the film they should set the tone of the movie without giving to much away and should also leave the audience in suspense.

Stanley Kauffmann describes the “classic opening” to begin with an establishing shot – showing the place it is set. It then leads up to the specific location (in this case a building) then through a window into that building going past various things into a room with the main protagonists. This allows the audience to see where it is set and the occupation of the main protagonists as well as the perfection of the setting.

The title sequences to the film “Seven” were effective as they had many different aspects but still simple. Even though they’re discrete title sequences, they still fell very much a part of the film. They told a story, introduced you to the nature of the main character and foreshadowed the film.

“A favourite trick of Film Noir” is a trick which makes the opening of the film have an ending to it making the audience question and wonder what’s going to happen.

“The Shining” creates suspense by starting with simple shots. it then shows a car but from a high angle and a wide shot. This is successful as it already imposes an idea that they’re going in the wrong direction and something is wrong.