AS Opening title sequence research title times

1. Saturday Night Fever
Title times
by Rebecca Wilson

2. To have a better understanding of the
FORM of an opening title
sequence, and how a film’s impression
can be built up around the credits, I
have chosen to analyse the title
sequence of Saturday Night Fever
starring John Travolta.

3. The sequence opens At 26 seconds in, the name 'Introducing Karen Lynn
with a panoramic shot 'John Travolta' is displayed Gorney as Stephanie' 45
of the Brooklyn followed by 'Saturday' (32 seconds in displays new
Bridge, zooming seconds), 'Night' (34 seconds) actors coming on to the
out, instantly showing 'Fever' (36 seconds), and then scene and gives them
the location of the film. ‘Staying Alive’ by the Bee Gee’s special recognition as
begins. Before Travolta’s you may have never
name, no music appears, giving heard of them before.
no clue to the genre.
7 seconds in we see The shot then cuts to a person's feet
'Paramount Pictures (John Travolta) who is then shown
Presents' then at 15 walking through Brooklyn for the rest of
seconds 'A Robert the title sequence, suggesting he is the
Stigwood film's protagonist. He struts down the
Production‘, giving street in a suit and opended collared
recognition to the shirt connoting he is a confident, young
producers from the man. In just over half a minute, the
beginning. film’s setting, producer, title and
protagonist have all been established.

4. 48 seconds in shows 'With Barry A break in the titles and the usual
Miller, Joseph Cali, Paul shot of Travolta walking is
Pape, Bruce Ornstein, Donna switched to a scene where he
Pescow, continued at 51 seconds orders pizza for several seconds
with 'Val Bisoglio, Julie then continues his walk with the
Bovasso, Martin Shaker, Nina Pizza in his hand. This suggests
Hansen, Lisa Peluso'. These names more to the genre of film: a
aren’t left on the screen for musical for his exaggerated walk
long, suggesting they are the accompanied by comedy for
supporting actors in the film. Travolta’s acting.
'Musical numbers staged and
choreographed by Lester Wilson' 56
seconds in then 'Original music by
Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb' 59
seconds in. Pointing out the popular
70’s trio the Bee Gees will have
enticed audience interest into the
film, as they were part of popular
culture upon the film’s release.

5. The opening credits continue "Production Designer Charles
at 1:17 with ''How Deep is Your Bailey" is continued at 1:36
Love', 'Night Fever', 'Staying Alive', 'More whilst Travolta continues to walk
Than A Woman', performed by the Bee through Brooklyn's streets
Gees‘. Once again, revealing one by showing a close up of him
one little pieces of information leaves the carrying a tin of paint which
audience wanting more, and to see the could lead us into the story
Bee Gees music is in the film could when the titles end.
entice the audience.
"Director of Photography Ralf.D.Bode" is
At 1:22, 'Additional Music shown at 1:39 against a shop window
by David Shire' followed 4 which leads us into a second interlude
seconds after at 1:26 with of dialogue where the protagonist
"Editor David Rawlins". enters the shop. This shot offers variety
away from watching Travolta walk, so
the audience do not tire of seeing the
same action.

6. In the closing 30 seconds of the At 2:22, the titles read
title sequence, Travolta "Produced by Robert
continues his walk through Stigwood". The
Brooklyn with "Executive producer is mentioned
Producer Kevin McCormick" at twice, once at the
2:08 then "Based upon a story beginning and once at
by Nik Cohn" at 2:12 recognising the end as he is the
the individual efforts of certain most influential and the
participants in the film crew. manager of the whole
film.
After being rejected, Travolta walks away
and shakes it off back to his original walk
At 2:15, "Screenplay by
and the camera's original shot which
Norman Wexler", the
shows "Directed by John Badham" (the
protagonist shows an interest
second most important part of the crew)
in passerby and begins to run
at 2:26. This is the end of the title
after her switching the camera
sequence where the protagonist returns
to the disgusted girl's face
to work with the paint and the story really
showing the audience what
begins.
kind of character Travolta is.

7. By analysing the opening title sequence to
‘Saturday Night Fever’, I have understood how to
use titles to entice audiences with famous
names and information without distracting them
from the building narrative by fading the titles in
and out. I liked how Travolta was travelling to a
destination but kept audience’s attention as
they wanted to know where he was travelling to.
I may use ideas from this piece in my own
work, but adapt them to the genre of my
choice.