Saul Bass

Saul Bass was a master of creating opening titles. I had little understanding of Bass' work and i was suprised to learn that he created famous and recognisbale film openings such as Psycho and Goodfellas and that he collaborated with the legendary Alfred Hitcock and Martin Scorsese. In the documentary Bass on Titles Saul Bass told us of the importance the opening credits has on a film to come and to take the audiences attention before the film has even started. He explained that they act as a "Prologue" which can "contribute to the storyline." He also said that titles often get ignored, and so he found an opportunity to "use titles in a new way." In bass' work, you can clearly see that he doesnt want his titles to go unnoticed!


I have chosen to look at:


West Side Story
Walk on the Wild Side
Goodfellas





West Side Story (1961)

This has to be one of my favourite films, it's a classic. There are two sets of credits and i looked at the end titles. At the end of West side story, there is a sudden death of one of the main characters, Tony who plays the young romeo. Bass made a long gentle sequence to follow this, so that the audience could take in what had happened and recollect before the lights came on. He described it as a "decompression chamber." The graffiti writing on the walls fitted in perfectly with the storyline and film environment. A slow pan movement follows the walls and fences to show the names of the cast and crew etched on them. I have only realised now why i sit and watch these end credits. Normally when the credits roll up i turn over, but in this sequence i always stay to watch because i find the music and gentle movment calming after the sudden death. Very cleverly presented.

Walk on the Wild Side (1962)

This title sequence follows a black cat walking along the dark street. The cat has bright blue eyes which show up in the blackness; it looks a little bit like a panther. The titles appear along side the cat as it prowls down the street. It looks mysterious and sly but it also has a sleek and cool style which comes across to me. The music is quite slick and the beat goes in time with the cat's steps. It looks like the cat has an important presence as we follow him. At the end of the sequence we see the cat jump out and attack another cat and fight. The cat is not involved in the stroyline but they have used the cat to convey the meaning of "taking a walk on the wild side" which gives you a hint on what is to come.

Goodfellas (1990)

Goodfellas is about ganster life, and Henry Hill who works his way to the topthrough the mob hierachy. I chose this title sequence because it differs from other Bass titles i've seen. They have used acting as part of the opening.Firstly the names of the actors slide across the screen, pause, and then slide off again in simple white text against a black background. They make a swooshing sound as they speed past, like cars. It is then cut to a car driving down and then into the car to show 3 guys. They think they have hit something so they step out of the car. They hear banging from and they open it up to reveal someone inside. One of the men stabs the person repeatively in the stomach and another shoots, to make sure the person is dead for certain. It is quite graphic for the opening titles, but once again puts you into the story and to show you what to expext from the film. A voiceover of a man is played when focused on the third man which says "As far back as i can remember, i always wanted to be a ganster." this is the tagline of the film. This tells you that this is his job and he always wanted to do it. The frame freezes and a jazz type upbeat song ,rags to riches, which in a way lightens the mood to show a dark comedy side to the film.It then chnages to the black screen again to show the title "Goodfellas" in red, and the other credits follow in the swooshing effect.