Opening credits- yes or no?

El Diablo Blanco

The whole ‘opening credits’ thing seems to be fairly old-fashioned these days, with most films/directors choosing to use end credits, instead. Just curious as to what the general preference would be amongst film-goers here.

Personally, I like opening credits, and have always enjoyed David Fincher’s use of them, in his own films, to set tone, and so forth; Se7en and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo being two prime examples. The Bond films, as well, usually do a good job with their credit sequences, and break up the opening scene nicely, allowing it to resonate.

Any strong feeling for or against?

NothingMan

It really depends on the film, some do it well like some Bond movies, catch me if you can etc... But some do seem to be time filler or just self gratifying doubling up of names.

I can't remember what it was I saw in the cinema recently, possibly Jack the Giant Slayer that I was saying to myself "just start the fecking film this is unnecessary."

So in summary... depends, but don't make it too long.

Zaph

I don't really mind as long as they're not too long. One thing that's bugging me lately though is the number of production company credits there are at the start of some films. And they all have to have their own quirky little way of presenting them, so it's not just a simple caption. I watched something recently and there must have been 6 or 7 of them before the proper credits began, which also included listing all the production companies again. :mad:

smcgiff

It's a liberty in my opinion - it takes away from the suspension of disbelief.

But, yeah the production mini features are becoming worse.

At least it's not as bad as some TV series where the credits nearly go as far as the first ad break.

Goldstein

Zaph wrote: »

I don't really mind as long as they're not too long. One thing that's bugging me lately though is the number of production company credits there are at the start of some films. And they all have to have their own quirky little way of presenting them, so it's not just a simple caption. I watched something recently and there must have been 6 or 7 of them before the proper credits began, which also included listing all the production companies again. :mad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_-fbhHYGI

johnny_ultimate

I think credit sequences can be utilised imaginatively to set the mood of what's to come. David Fincher is somewhat of a king at this (although Dragon Tattoo pushed it too far IMO) - they're somewhat separate from the rest of the film but also stylishly introduce us to world we're about to experience. That famous opening 'ass' of Lost in Translation is of course famous for one (or two) very particular reason, but again expertly sets the laid-back mood and doesn't waste screen time. Or how about Enter the Void's aggressively colourful, loud titles - as apt an intro to the forthcoming sensory assault as one could imagine.

My favourite of them all is the opening credits of anime Paprika - a witty, visually striking and musically exciting beginning that uses the mandatory credits to brilliantly introduce the rules we need to understand going forward. Serenity is another great example, with its epic tracking shot that efficiently (re)introduces us to the characters while the names fade gently in and out. Both, incidentally, come after extended prologues.

So yeah, with a bit of imagination, bring them on - you can efficiently use the time to do something memorable without distracting the audience, even being gifted the opportunity to do something the film's overall style won't allow. And I have no problem with them being separate, straightforward entities either - I do like to know who's involved in any given film, and what would a Woody Allen film be without his trademark white on black credits!

krudler

When they're done well yeah they definitely add to the mood of the film, like was already mentioned David Fincher is excellent at it, Alien 3, Se7en, Panic Room to name but a few all have superb credit sequences.

A lot of modern films simple have the opening title and that's it, or no title at all past the production logos, but if that's done cleverly it can work really well, Iron Man 3's choice of logo music got a genuine chuckle out of me. and on the flipside another Shane Black movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang has a really cool noirish opening sequence with quirky title design. I dont mind text over the actual film itself either cast and crew as the film is playing ala Raiders of the Lost Ark to name something off the top of my head. And sometimes the title sequence is essentially part of the film and it wouldn't be the same without it, can't imagine a Bond movie without the opening sequence, or Goodfellas or Pulp Fiction with those perfectly chosen songs.

Just be thankful we don't have to sit through those endless credits and overture sequences like they did back in the David Lean epic days. Modern audiences would be having none of that.

PerrinV2

I don't mind long opening credits if they're interesting or something is going on in the background

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaLDyrun_Cc

delbertgrady

Whatever people may have thought of the film, the title sequence of Watchmen was quite superb, and Kuntzel and Deygas' retro titles for Catch Me If You Can were also perfect for the film *. The chalkboard-inspired titles for Lone Scherfig's An Education, accompanied by the buoyant On the Rebound by Floyd Cramer are a personal favourite. And the titles for Napoleon Dynamite are like a mini-movie in themselves.


*PerrinV2 helpfully posted these above, while I was typing my initial post.

Zeek12

Zaph wrote: »

I don't really mind as long as they're not too long. One thing that's bugging me lately though is the number of production company credits there are at the start of some films. And they all have to have their own quirky little way of presenting them, so it's not just a simple caption. I watched something recently and there must have been 6 or 7 of them before the proper credits began, which also included listing all the production companies again. :mad:

Personally I like the opening credits, especially when they do something clever or original with them, but I totally agree with Zaph that the production company pieces at the start are really overdone. They undermine the opening credits and it leaves the viewer really impatient for the movie to start!!

QikBax

Only if Saul Bass was still alive.

Everyone else should've stopped after he died.

krudler

Zeek12 wrote: »

Personally I like the opening credits, especially when they do something clever or original with them, but I totally agree with Zaph that the production company pieces at the start are really overdone. They undermine the opening credits and it leaves the viewer really impatient for the movie to start!!

What's annoying is when there's multiple production company logos, then they're all named again at the beginning. I cant remember what it was I saw recently but it went like Paramount logo> Warner Logo>Other production company logo.credits start: "paramount pictures...warner pictures...other company present" written in text, ehh yeah we get it.

IncognitoMan

Any excuse to post this

Padraig Mor

Zaph wrote: »

I don't really mind as long as they're not too long. One thing that's bugging me lately though is the number of production company credits there are at the start of some films. And they all have to have their own quirky little way of presenting them, so it's not just a simple caption. I watched something recently and there must have been 6 or 7 of them before the proper credits began, which also included listing all the production companies again. :mad:

I believe they're called 'spikes' and, yes, there seems to be bloody loads of them these days!

livEwirE

THE FILM before THE FILM is a great little short documentary about the hostory of opening credits. Well worth a look

charlie_says

livEwirE wrote: »

THE FILM before THE FILM is a great little short documentary about the hostory of opening credits. Well worth a look

Cool, thanks for the heads up.

There are some stand out credits that are spine tingling hair raising amazing, but few and far between. A smaller amount that are just meh and don't really add or detract from the movie, and a whole boat load of crap ones that bring nothing to the table.

Animation done well seems to be the ticket for me.

Footoo

My favourite opening credit sequence of all time. Mesmerising and although it's hard to pinpoint why, it sets the tone beautifully for what is to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5mEEPukDVk

e_e

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9tn5KDHWy8

This justifies every crappy credits sequence ever.