Reasearch of Saul and Elaine Bass

Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and film maker specifically his design of film posters and title sequences. His wife Elaine Bass also American but a title designer and film maker who was married to Saul. 

Saul created a new art form through his title sequences being able to precisely show the theme and tone of the movie allowing the audience to accurately know what to expect within the film. Elaine worked with Bass for 40 years doing graphic, title designer and film maker (over 50 title sequences) . They created things such as the title for good fellas and cape fear. 

 

They worked with big directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Danny DeVito and are hugely praised for the work they have done. 

This youtube clip shows snippets of the works they have created for various films. 

This is one of the title sequences Saul made for the film Oceans Eleven in 1960. 

It is a crime comedy film about a group of friends who rob 5 of the biggest casinos in Los Vegas in one night. This title sequence links to the genre and theme of the film using bright colours and bold lettering giving off the comedy tone with a slight mystery to it hence the dots fading in and out. 

The use of the dice and cards also suggest clearly the theme and part of the narrative being based around the casino.

The use of the non diegetic sound track also further emphasises the idea of creeping around and being sneaky with the loud trumpets and orchestra giving off the Las Vegas classy tone. 

In terms of the text it predominantly is a long and thick white filled font. deffinetly suggesting fairly modern times and people of a young age. 

The transitions into each section all blend in and out of each other creating a smooth and fun effect implying to the audience that these people are 'smooth criminals' with some humour. 

Some similar films which I think have been influenced by this style include catch me if you can with the use of each section blending into each other and having the sneaky fun tone. The non diegetic is also very similar using orchestral music.