The Opening Titles

We have to think about the opening titles of our film as this is what makes our opening look like the start of a film and not a trailer. To start with, I watched the openings of three different films from the website www.artofthetitle.com/ and listed down the information that I see on screen in order.

Hostage 

• Production and Distribution Companies                   
• Production name



This is a screenshot of the website showing

the title of the film 'Hostage'

• In association with
• A film by
• Name of main actor
• Title of the film
• Names of actors and actresses
• Casting by
• Music by
• Co-producers
• Costume designer
• Editors
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producers
• Producers
• Based on the novel by
• Screenplay by
• Director



This is a screenshot of the website showing

the title of the film 'Fallen Angel'

Fallen Angel

• Production Company
• Names of main actors and actresses
• Title of the film
• Names of actors and actresses
• Screenplay by, Based on the novel by
• Director of photography, Music by, Musical direction, Song by
• Art direction, Set decorations by, Associate, Film editor, Costumes by, Make-up artist, Special photographic effects by, Sound by
• Producer and director

MirrorMask 

• Production company

  

  This is a screenshot of the website showing

  the title of the film 'MirrorMask'

• Production name
• Names of actors and actresses
• Composer
• Supervising sound editors
• CGI supervisor and producer
• Casting director
• Editor
• Director of photography
• Executive producers
• Producer
• Screenplay by
• Story by
• Designed and directed by
• Title of the film
  

I learnt that from watching these film openings that the title of the film does not always have to appear at the start but can appear later in the opening or at the end. Also the names of actors/actresses that appear first on screen are usually the main ones and sometimes the names appear on their own or fades in and out. The names of actors/actresses that are less important appear later in the opening. Also I have noticed that the names of the directors are always seen in the opening of the film as they want to be recognised and known for the film and they are also important. The director's name does not appear in the end credits as people are not interested in the end credits and would skip them, missing the name of the director.