Researching Credit Sequences

 Credit sequences play a vital role in films. This is because they highlight who made the film possible. Often credit sequences will mention the producer, director, writer, cinematographer, editor, musical credits, and a few major stars or actors within the film. Credit sequences are normally accompanied with opening scenes that either give context and or set a tone/vibe for the rest of film. Credits are often not the main focus of the opening and are more of to the side allowing viewers to pay closer attention to the what is happening on screen rather than the post-production.

One film that, interestingly, does the opposite is Good Will Hunting. This film follows a math genius/janitor (Matt Damon) who overcomes his traumas/troubles through the help of a professor (Stelan Skarsgard) and a therapist (Robin Williams.) Within this opening, it is clear the main focus is the credits as they are pictures in the middle of the screen, drawing the viewers eye. This is also evident because there isn't a lot happening in the background, no context to be taken into account before the film begins. All that is scene in the first 2 and half minutes of this credit sequence are hundreds of books, edited together to be illegible. This opening only starts to develop any sort of  setting/introduction of characters in the last minute of the film when Will Hunting is seen in long shot of a seemingly empty home as a car drives by a neighborhood and stops at the house to pick him up, the relationship between the man who picked him up and Will Hunting left unknown to the viewer. An extremely long shot is then seen of a city then a bridge over a pond. During this time as the credits role more slowly allowing time for the production to shine through, indicating to the audience its importance. Here is a link to the credit sequence/opening of this film. 

The film Holes(2003) uses the credit/title sequence as a way to establish setting. Within this credit sequence it is clear its intent is for the viewer to focus on what is happening on screen (rather than the text) because of the fact that all the credits are strategically placed uncentered, near the bottom of the screen. In fact, even the title is uncentered. Interestingly, this credit sequence only mentions the production companies of the film. The minimal amount of credits within this sequence further indicates that the viewers eyes should be drawn to what is happening in the background as setting and context is being established. The film starts out crediting Walt Disney Pictures as well as Walton Media before opening to a dried up lake in Texas with young boys digging holes in the blazing sun. A man walks past in a low angle shot, it is clear he is an authority figure for these boys. A character 'Barf bag' is introduced as he is digging and seemingly collapses. An extremely longshot is then used to illustrate the entirety of the area, showing all the holes have been dug. As Barf bag climbs out of his hole he approaches a snake trying to get it to bight him, as the other boys yell at him to stop it is clear his actions are a result of the working conditions he is in. This credit sequences is a tool used to build context for the rest of the film, not necessarily used to highlight the credits. Here is link to the credit sequence of this film.  

Similarly to Holes the 1984 film Karate Kid also uses the title sequence as an opportunity to develop context for the rest of the film. Just from the title sequence alone the viewer can know that the protagonist, Daniel, is from New Jersey and he and his mom have just made a big move to California. This credit sequences uses lots of extreme longshots not only to illustrate Daniel and his mother's long, cross-country journey but also as an opportunity for credits. Four minutes of this film is dedicated to the credit/title sequence in comparison to Holes which only about 2 minutes long, evidently this is results in credits being given to a lot more of the production and post production as well as the actors themselves. Throughout this credit sequence the only time any text is right in center is when the title is shown (even then it is placed slightly above center,) apart from that all other credits are placed somewhere near the top, bottom, or corners of the screen. This highlights the long journey they have just gone on and subsequently the changes that are likely to come with such as big move. This credit sequence is used to build context and character as it is clear through the dialogue between Daniel and his mom that he is unhappy about the move, a trait that will be of important to the plot of the movie. Here is a link to the credit sequence of this film. 

Holes Setting and Characters. (2025). Thebestnotes.com. (link)

IMDB. (1998, January 9). Good Will Hunting. IMDb. (link)

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