Kyle Cooper and Prologue Films

I recently attended a lecture by American film title designer Kyle Coooper here in London, and though it was a bit freeform and wandering (I would have preferred to have him talk more specifically about the how and why of some actual sequences) how could I not have thoroughly enjoyed myself ? Kyle, almost single handedly, brought film title design back into existence with his spooky sequence for Seven back in 1995 (which still stands up beautifully).

Prologue Films (his second title design company – following his parting with his first Imaginary Forces) is at the top of its game and is a sought after partner by mega Hollywood producers and directors, realizing that a well tuned title sequence can cast a spell over the audience before word one of dialogue is heard.

I enjoyed his subtle reinforcement that, though Prologue produces some of the most lush and imaginative computer generated title sequences out there (see the rocking “grunge tech” titles for Iron Man below, created by the talented Danny Yount of Prologue Films) he is a big proponent of hand made, and still favours getting dirty (and resourceful) to get an effect, rather than labouring over keyframed post effects. I continue to watch Prologue with expectations of surprise and delight after surprise and delight.

Here are a few of my favourites.

If you’d like to see some of my own motion graphics work, including some film and television titles, please have a look at my two 2008 reels below.

Thank You for Smoking, Film Titles

This title design sequence for “Thank you for Smoking” has been a favourite of mine for a while. There have been a few imitations that have emerged recently, but none have managed to top it. The titles were created by Shadowplay Studio.

From a design perspective, it functions within a simple idea that I have been interested in for many years, and have applied to both my motion graphics and my book design – that of typography as an “artifact” within a photograph or image, rather being applied on top of a visual as a secondary exercise.

The resulting integration of picture and typography, could therefore, not be any tighter because they co-exist within the same visual entity – in this case, cigarette packages. Even though logos and warning statements have been replaced with actor names and crew titles, the craftsmanship is impeccable, and entirely believable.

That and the great, rotating, zipping, zooming movements, the little surprises that keep you smiling, and all that lovely type, just make this sequence work! Nicely done. You can view the full title sequence in motion below.