MOVIE OPENING TITLES PROCESS BOOK

MICHAEL FEAVEL

TYPOGRAPHY STUDIO II - GRDS 755

PROF. MERRICK HENRY

SUMMER 2011

I feel that my process is best expressed through my sketchbook that

I keep for each class. From this, you are able to see each step and

thought that comes into my head and works its way down to my

hands and finally onto paper.

For some reason I am finding this assignment particularly

challenging, so I am trying my best to have fun with. I decided to try

two ideas on opposite ends of the spectrum: Spongebob and War.

Spongebob fits my love for cartoons and creativity, and Enemy at the

Gates hits my WW2 history interest.

I watched multiple episodes of spongebob and the movie to get

inspired. I want to keep it simple and avoid clips. The shapes will be

like cut outs and have a paper like texture. This goes away from the

animation, but that is kind of the point. It’s fun without copying the

actual animation.

The second idea is inspired by the opening sequence to the series

“The Pacific” and the openings sequence of the movie “Rock N

Roller”. Iconic with interesting movement and very intense subject

matter. I hope to convey the mood to the utmost level which ever

one I choose to go with.

I began trying to make the movie titles for “Enemy at the Gates.”

moving in a simpler direction than what was first proposed. I quickly

found that nothing was working and my inspiration hit a brick wall.

Nothing being produced looked right for the film and no idea was

helping. I then decided to focus on my second option.

Spongebob allowed to have a bit more fun and get out of something

serious. I decided to change the aspect ration to something much

more fitting for film and work more with moving objects within the

animation. I wasn’t sure how to make the bubbles work, but I knew it

would be a big part of the animation.

I really wanted to combine the classic animation style of spongebob

with that of a construction paper cut out/stop motion feel.

I reviewed many stop motion/paper animation movies and noticed

certain subtleties they implimented.

I also watched PIxar shorts, as I find that their musical choices work

very well with their animations.

I continued with the TIKI typefaces designed by House Ind. as my

main typographic influence and usage.

I constructed each shape in after effects to avoid blurring with the

camera and importing large files.

I utilized motion paths to make certain typographic elements follow

that of the shapes.

I also took advantage of some of the perks of after effects, such as a

bubble simulation that I was unaware of before the animation.

I tried my best to make a paper-like texture with noice and grain....it

was somewhat successful.

ULTIMATELY THIS WAS A FRUSTRATING

EXPERIENCE, I ATTEMPTED “ENEMY

AT THE GATES” AND WAS UNABLE TO

PRODUCE ANYTHING WORTH SHOWING.

THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIMPLICITY

OVERWHELMED ME AND I DIDN’T FEEL GOOD

ABOUT ANYTHING DONE. I THEN STARTED

ON “SPONGEBOB” AND FELT MUCH BETTER

ABOUT EVERYTHING AND HAD FUN WITH

THE PROJECT. I UTILIZED PAPER CUT OUT

IMAGERY TO HAVE A FUN ATTITUDE SIMILAR

TO “SPONGEBOB” BUT NOT COPYING IT.