Drama
Beautiful title sequences
Some TV shows have opening title sequences that are beautiful short films I love watching again and again. A good opening puts me in the right frame of mind to get immersed in the show I’m about to watch.
Looking at the most gorgeous openings, I discovered that a lot of them were done by the same creative agency. Digital Kitchen really knows how to capture the emotional essence of a show and turn it into a series of striking images. Digital Kitchen’s impressive list of credits includes the opening sequences for Dexter, House, Nip/Tuck, Six Feet Under and True Blood.
Dexter is a show about a serial killer who hides in plain sight as a blood spatter analyst for the police department. The sequence chronicles morning rituals ~ shaving, flossing, making breakfast, getting dressed ~ in close-up detail. The effect is unsettling and beautiful.
Several designers have created chairs, place settings, candles, artwork and décor inspired by Dexter. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were inspired by the opening sequence as much by the show itself.
I love to see how creative minds at work, so I was excited to find this storyboard Digital Kitchen did for the Six Feet Under opening.
You can’t talk about title sequences without mentioning Saul Bass. He is the design legend behind the openings to Psycho, The Man With the Golden Arm, North by Northwest and Vertigo ~ just to name a few. The iconic look he created for the era must’ve influenced Imaginary Forces when they were brainstorming for the Mad Men title sequence. They found a balance between retro and new, really creating a distinct look that suits the tone of the show. Imaginary Forces is also the firm behind the playful opening to Chuck.
There are so many other great openings to talk about! Which opening sequence is your favorite? Is it because of the music, the images or the way it distills the spirit of the show?
Take a look at this episode of House with the opening in mind. Don’t those abstract images and haunting music really set you up for the story?
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Jean/NOTCOT
The other one i REALLLLLY love ~ weeds and hustle! Mad men’s actually feels a bit pulled from the hustle one…
Daniel
I really love the opening sequence of The Man Who Knew Too Little. It follows the fabrication of a bomb inside a Russian Matryoshka doll. It’s filmed beautifully, and adds a significant plot element to the movie that otherwise would have been cumbersome and clumsy to explain.
Anahi
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Forget the film, watch the titles. One of the most impressive credit sequences I’ve seen.
I love the Dexter ones too.
Erica
My all-time favorite has to be Carnivale’s.
True Blood’s sequence reminds me of it, actually; I wonder if they were created by the same people.
I love Mad Men, Dexter, and Weeds’ as well.
Christian
I’ve always loved the closing credits to the Lemony Snickets “A tale of unfortunate events”. It has a beautiful handmade feel that plays with scale and silhouette.
marcia/NOTCOT
Yes, Weeds! I am also a big fan of that opening. And now I will have to watch the Lemony Snicket movie (can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet)
I also have a fondness for old sitcoms where the opening sequence/song told you what the show was about (Who’s the Boss, Diff’rent Strokes …)
Erica ~ A52 is the firm that did the Carnivale opening (http://www.a52.com/).
Ed
I’ve always loved Dexter’s opening. A really great movie end credits is Shoot’Em Up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ywuLFtMlK8). The trail of blood at the end is a really cool idea.
i love Weeds when they had the song little houses but they took it away this season 
The Gurr
True Blood’s title sequence is very good, if a little overly long. I feel it should have been shown at the long length for the first few episodes, then as a slightly truncated version from then on.
John
I agree… the folks over at Digital Kitchen did an amazing job with the opening of True Blood. Too bad the show isn’t that good.
Larissa Gaston
I didn’t know Digital Kitchen was the company behind so many of my favorite opening sequences - Dexter, Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck, House - love them all, but I’d probably put Dexter at the top of the list.
Liam
Oddly enough I think the music is what really makes an intro for me; the “Cheers” and “The Wire” openings stick in my head as the most iconic intros I’ve seen.
Although “True Blood” has a pretty fantastic song in addition to the good-looking visuals.
I’d say “Chuck” is actually another visual standout.
Jean/NOTCOT
Great link of 30 Unforgettable Movie Title Sequences
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/19/30-unforgettable-movie-title-sequences/
December 12th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I’m quite partial to the opening sequences of Huff and the new Doctor Who. That moment where the TARDIS drops out of the tunnel long enough to let the camera circle around to the other side takes the whole thing to a new level.