RESEARCH - What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper

Main title designer Kyle Cooper has been credited as the man who single-handedly revitalized the main title sequence as an art form. His ground-breaking title sequence for Se7en (1995) changed the way we look and think about title design today and is arguably the most imitated main title ever made. The Se7en title sequence was hailed by New York Times Magazine as “One of the most important design innovations of the 1990s”.

The opening of Se7en.

In his interview, Kyle Cooper says about the three main things which make a good title sequence: The fact that it dovetails seemingly into the film proper, the way it sets and expectation and most importantly, the excitement that provokes within the audience, making them thrilled to be in this theatre at this moment. It makes you glad that you are nowhere else in the world except where you are, getting ready to see something amazing.

Two of Kyle Cooper's favourite title sequences are the ones for "Deadzone" and "To kill a mockingbird". Some of the reasons for that is the music being played over time, creating a mysterious mood and the simple typography used, which is one of Cooper's interest along with title sequences. Other reasons for liking these two is how beautiful they are photographed, filming around objects and behind them, creating a good and effective contrast. He also talks about how a story can be based on entire sequence, which means that it's either showing the back story of the movie or it's using a metaphor to reveal the storyline.

via GIPHY

Filming studios can face some problems after an audience test screening and Kyle Cooper says two of them. Some studios might not have enough budget to cover everything they need or some audiences might not understand some of the aspects of the movie. He also mentions that two and a half minutes of the title sequence are really important for the studio because it either becomes a prologue for the movie, becomes another scene of the movie or it helps gives extra information which was, unfortunately, left out. 

Another interview that Kyle Cooper gave reveals more information about his work and himself as one of the best artists creators of title sequences:

How can you sum up your career for the readers? "I have been designing and producing opening credit sequences for fifteen years. First at R/Greenberg Associates NY and then R/Greenberg Associates LA. Then I founded Imaginary Forces and after that I founded Prologue Films. I direct commercials and design."

You will always be remembered for the titles for Se7en. How do you feel about those titles now? "I still like them. There is nothing about them I would change. I was glad that they were so well received and I am flattered that so many people claim responsibility for them or are inspired by them. "

Which of your projects are you most proud of?

"The good book says ‘everything your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.’ I try to do that. All of the planets were aligned or something when I worked on Seven – it was the right time. It was the beginning of the democratization of motion graphics (Although I directed the live action shoot as well). All of the right people came together to make that piece possible. That perfect world situation will perhaps never happen again but I still try to the best of my ability each time to do something that I like. I like Dawn of the Dead which I did recently and I was very happy with Donnie Brasco at the time. I even like Wimbeldon because it is a simple idea. I like many of them for different reasons.

Each film is a different problem to solve so each solution is different. I am actually very proud of the end credit sequence I did for Quiz Show. A lot of the time it is about the situation or stories surrounding the title sequence. I had just come to LA and was thrust into the Quiz Show project. R/Greenberg LA was going to get fired by Robert Redford and I stayed up for two nights and did the end credit sequence and then went to show it to Robert Redford at Skywalker Sound and he was very happy. That is a great feeling. That project was like a burning stick snatched from the fire. It is the stories that make me proud. For Mission Impossible Tom Cruise did not like what we did at first because he did not want it to look like a movie trailer but I changed some things based on his comments and he was happy. I am proud when the director is pleased with my work.

It is extremely validating to have someone you admire look to you for creative support. People applauded when the titles were over at the premiere of Seven and I saw David after the screening. We looked at each and he shook my hand and I knew he was thrilled and we both knew that we nailed it. These stories help me measure my time here in LA. It is a place without seasons, at least none to speak of compared to Massachusetts where I grew up. I keep track of time by the films that I work on. I am also very proud when people I have brought into the main title business do good titles. I think we have had an impact. I think we have raised the bar and I am proud of that. There are so many ways for a job to go south so if you can get a good one through you should be very proud.