Research into Saul Bass

 In today's task, I have been asked to research into Saul and Elaine Bass's film making. 

This short documentary which interviews Saul Bass's work. From starting as a graphic designer on advertisements, he then worked along side Alfred Hitchcock and other big film makers during the 1950's Hollywood and started creating eye catching title sequences. He realised theres more ways to be creative with opening credits and trying different ways to use titles to help give context to the film. Bass found creative and visual ways to use title sequences to portray the genre and tone, by animating or showing certain emotions along with a similar soundtrack. Bass's iconic work incorporated bright primary colours which was frequently used in his work, he also always seemed to use animation. Some of his work however was more simple and straight forward, with subtle animations or effects which still reflects an effective title sequence. By using simple title sequences it can sometimes be saying so much but using such little content.  

So who is Saul and Elaine Bass?

Saul Bass was a graphic designer and film maker who worked along side his wife Elaine Bass in 1955. Throughout Saul's  career in Hollywood, he was able to work with some of the most successful film makers like Hitchcock, Kubrick, Billy Wilder and Otto Preminger and creating title sequences for their films. One of his most recognised pieces of work was the 'shower scene' from the 1960 film 'Physco', where through the use of close up camera shot and fast tight shots to make the audience feel as if they have witnessed the murder, however at no point in the scene do we see the knife kill the woman. 

Elaine Bass co produced 'Spartacus' in 1960 along with Saul, they then partnered together to create title designs and film work. Soon after marrying and Elaine giving birth to two children in 1964 and 1967.  Years later, the Basses retuned back to title designs with James L. Brooks and Martin Scorsese. Scorsese and Saul and Elaine bass together then created title sequences for Goodfellas, Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence and also Casino. 

ANALYSIS OF SAUL AND ELAINE BASS'S OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE

I am going to be looking at 'Casino' which was released in 1995, and it's opening title sequence which was designed by Saul and Elaine Bass, and directed by Martin Scorsese. 

In this title sequence, it is easily recognised that this is designed by the Basses with the climatic opening and colour co ordinated suit and building set. 

In this opening sequence, it begins with no soundtrack until a narration plays over the introduction to this man who we can guess is important, as he is walking out of a building.

 As the man is seen walking away from the building, he is filmed at a wide shot which establishes the setting. The voice over of the character allows the audience to become a part of his mind. The car and the suit together portray the mans wealth indicates this could be the main character in this film 'casino'. When the character turns the key, the car explodes into flames. The dramatic music that plays emphasises the car's explosion and instantly sets the tone and mood for the rest of the film. 

The design of the titles is similar to Bass's previous work, we see an animated image of a character being thrown across the screen in slow motion for dramatic effect. The colour red could represent the dangerous nature of the plot. The colourful bright moving lights we see are similar to bright lights you would see in places such as casino's.