opinions on use of opening credits

I was about to mention Raising Arizona's credits...classic.

Just for the pure entertainment value of credits, I gotta give props to Catch Me If You Can...that was the coolest opening sequence I've seen in a while.

But, for shorts, there's no point in an opening credit sequence...to do it right would take up a good percentage of your TRT.
 
Opening credits on short films? Almost always it comes across as pretentious inflated self-importance which diminishes the whole viewing experience.

We had one DVX-Fest film submitted that had 50 seconds of opening credits. Nothing but black background and 50 seconds of names. For a two-minute film. What purpose does that serve? How does that enhance the audience's enjoyment of the pic?

If it's names people know, go ahead and put 'em up front. But if everyone in the film is an unknown, why clog up the front of the film with it? Unless you can integrate it into the film somehow or make it have relevance and be creative (like Napoleon Dynamite, for example); that might make it do-able. But if it's a bunch of people that nobody has ever heard of before, and it's delaying the start of the film because you're making us sit through your credits... it just comes off as egotistical and pretentious.

Call me grumpy, but I think it should be about the film first and foremost. Actually, not even that -- it should be about the audience's experience, first and foremost. If the credits somehow enhance the audience's experience, use 'em. If they don't, then why diminish the audience's experience? Just to see your name in lights? Not a good reason, I say.
 
yea but credits after a movie 90% of an audience doesnt watch it so its up to the maker. no body wants to see you name 30 times though.
 
I might not list myself in the credits anymore. I'll put the website in there and if they care, they'll check it out.
 
Barry_Green said:
it should be about the audience's experience, first and foremost. If the credits somehow enhance the audience's experience, use 'em. If they don't, then why diminish the audience's experience? Just to see your name in lights? Not a good reason, I say.
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Rock on! :thumbsup:
 
I think it depends on the film and the story. Napoleon Dynamite is a great example, as the credits set up the story. Generally though, I would say, get to the story.

And regarding credits at the end of the movie, I always like to see all of the credits (honoring everyone that particpated in the creation of the movie). I had an experience a while ago at a theater where during the end credits, most of the audience had left, and they stopped the film during the credits. I went to the theater manager and made him aware of this and now they play the credits all of the way through, even if there are two people in the theater. You would want your credit wouldn't you?
 
RobertE said:
I think it depends on the film and the story. Napoleon Dynamite is a great example, as the credits set up the story. Generally though, I would say, get to the story.

And regarding credits at the end of the movie, I always like to see all of the credits (honoring everyone that particpated in the creation of the movie). I had an experience a while ago at a theater where during the end credits, most of the audience had left, and they stopped the film during the credits. I went to the theater manager and made him aware of this and now they play the credits all of the way through, even if there are two people in the theater. You would want your credit wouldn't you?
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yeah but 90% of movie audience could give a ****.
 
yeah but 90% of movie audience could give a
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So ... I'm trying hard to understand this. Because you know they won't care or remember, you think you should force your name in front of them? How will that help anything?

Believe me, if someone important cares or needs to know who that film was by, they'll read the credits at the end. Anybody who doesn't read the end credits, by default, does not care who it was by, so you certainly wouldn't be missing any career opportunity. So why clog up the front of the film with 'em? Unless you can do it in some entertaining, value-added way, it's just something the audience will have to slog through, fast-forward over, or talk to their friends during.
 
yeah but when as the guy aboive said theater cut the credits off some time how fair is that to crew members. so it good to show some if they are interesting if not then no wins. besides how bad are watching creative titles?
 
One question I think should be asked is: Does it fit the feel of the film? Is it creative, clever, and entertaining?

I completely agree with those talking about short films & unknown names or repeated names.

If we're talking hollywood feature films, I appreciate well done and/or creative opening credits. There's been a handful of movies named that employ this. As long as I am entertained by it, then its good, and if its cool/creative/smart/technically impressive then I'm entertained.

I also have no problem with movies that have "standard" text at the start for the credits, as long as the visuals somehow set the mood or advance the story. For example, starting a movie with someone walking down the street of new york, music playing, nice camera shots, and plain text on the screen for credits is fine. It serves a dual purpose and establishes the setting and feel of the movie.

In the end, I think it is a creative choice depending on the type/feel/mood/etc. of the movie and is different for each film. Mission Impossible III's opening credits followed by credits on the screen work great for that film, but may not work so well for Napolean Dynamite - and vice verse.
 
Cutting off the end credits is lame. They should always be shown, they're part of the film and the theater should show the whole film. That'd be a cheapo-creep theater owner who's trying to save an extra minute or so by nuking the end credits!

Like I say, if you make the credits inventive and *add* to the story somehow, that's great. As long as it adds value to the audience, and not just the filmmaker's ego, then it's all good.
 
Sorry to resurrect this for this, but I didn't want to start a new topic.

Just watched Skidoo.

Had one of the funnest end credits sequences. Well, maybe I'm just in that kind of mood.

Anyway, visually, it's not terrible interesting...just a static shot of Austin Pendleton & Groucho in a sailboat...with simple animated credits zipping in and out of the frame.

But accompanied by this: http://www.genjerdan.com/private/SkidooTitles.mp3

Anyway, I liked it.
 
Sweet. I love the credit where the guy is produced by his parents...classic. I have seen that short a hundred times and never noticed that. Thanks DVXuser!
 
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