10 - Analysis of Saul Bass's Opening Title Sequences

Analysis of the opening title sequence to Psycho, created by Saul Bass.

In this title sequence, the first impression that I get is that this is a horror film. I get this impression from the editing and sound. In the editing, the horizontal and vertical lines connote 'slicing' as if the typography and screen is being split up into pieces. This gives you the impression of a horror, as a typical code and convention of a horror film is torture, which can include hacking, slashing or slicing with a sharp weapon. The non-diegetic sound to this title sequence adds a dramatic effect, it builds up suspense as it plays on, adding higher notes which gives the horror impression of 'what will happen next?'.

Analysis of the opening title sequence to Vertigo, created by Saul Bass.

The opening title sequence to Vertigo is very interesting. It can connote many things depending on the viewer's opinion of it. The impression I get of this title sequence leads to a lot of questions; Why? Who? Where? What? It's as though this sequence is creating a mysterious theme, which will then pull you in to watch the film. The extreme close up's of the subjects facial features only strengthens the 'mysterious' theme more, as not once is the subject fully shown in an entire shot. The monochromatic red shot of the eye can represent 'seeing red' - being angry or a psychological disorder. As the sequence progresses, when a number of coloured swirls and patterns fly at you, coming right up to the screen, this can connote hypnotism, as a common feature of being hypnotised is the continuous swirl. The non-diegetic sound creates a mysterious mood as it plays smoothly and quiet, it then creates a suspense as the typography appears on the facial features (Mouth and eyes) of the subject each time. This can indicate that the person is hiding something that they have seen, possibly torturing them psychologically.

Analysis of the opening title sequence to Anatomy of Murder, created by Saul Bass.

In this title sequence the first impression I get is crime. The non-diegetic sound also creates a 1920's gangsta type theme as the soundtrack is jazzy, which would be a stereotypical feature of a gangsta. The image of the crudely shaped body, I would say, signifies a chalk outline or some sort of scene from a crime of murder. The dissected body shapes then connote anatomy dissection. This then leads you to think that the film is crime based.