Movie Title Sequences

This episode examines the specialized field of movie title design through interviews with title designer Garrett Smith (Juno, Up in the Air) and Ian Albinson, founder of Art of the Title website. The conversation reveals that title sequences serve both functional and artistic purposes - they're legally required credit presentations that also establish a film's tone and world. The creative process is heavily constrained by studio requirements, with designers receiving 10-15 page documents specifying exact percentage sizing for different actors' names and detailed treatment requirements.

The discussion traces the evolution of title design through two major benchmarks. Saul Bass pioneered the art form in the 1950s-60s, creating what were essentially animated film posters for Hitchcock classics like Psycho and Vertigo. However, the 1980s-90s saw a shift toward simple logo branding, with films like Back to the Future prioritizing iconic logos over elaborate sequences. Kyle Cooper's 1995 title sequence for Seven marked the second major benchmark, reintroducing the concept of titles as standalone artistic pieces that could provide crucial character insight - in Seven's case, introducing the serial killer's obsessive mindset before he appears in the film.

The episode highlights the unique longevity of film title design compared to other commercial design work, as designers must consider how their work will appear decades later. The Cheers television title sequence receives particular praise for its perfect capture of the show's warmth and friendship through historical bar imagery and excellent typography, demonstrating how effective title design can distill an entire show's essence into 30-60 seconds.