My initial thoughts about what a title can do was to set mood and the prime underlying core of the films story, to express the story in some metaphorical way. Saul bass title sequence spartacus using a collection of images and text giving an. Saul bass title sequences the movie title stills collection. You can see titles for some great films from the yawning spiral in vertigo to the monochrome crumbling busts in stanley kubricks spartacus to the. Title sequence designed by saul bass, from the film spartacus 1960, directed by stanley kubrick, starring kirk douglas. Stanley kubrick shot the battle sequences depicted on the boards the final battle between the slaves and the romans in spain, but due to their ferocity many. Directed by otto preminger bass designed the movie poster, billboards, premier program and invitation, trade ads. In 1955 elaine got a job as the assistant to graphic and title designer saul bass. Northwest 1959, vertigo 1958, and psycho 1960, spartacus. Saul bass had provided the boards shown here for douglas as the films visual consultant, and designed the films quietly powerful title sequence, which still feels modern today. May 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker, best known for his design of motionpicture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos during his 40year career, bass worked for some of hollywoods most prominent filmmakers, including alfred hitchcock, otto preminger, billy wilder, stanley kubrick and martin. A brief visual introduction to saul bass celebrated title designs.
Art of the title editor ian albinson put together this brilliant brief visual. Saul bass was a great 20thcentury american graphic designer, who created the corporate image and memorably stunning logos for numerous american companies. Author pat kirkham discusses the opening titles for spartacus, designed by saul and elaine bass, from her authoritative book. Around the world in eighty days 1956 bass epic, the title sequence for oscarwinner around the world in eighty days was the longest and. One hundred years after the birth of cinema s most famous credit sequence designer, we select 10 of his very best creations. In 1960 elaine directed on her own for the first time with the opening title sequence to spartacus. Much of saul bass s title design and film work thereafter was made in close collaboration with elaine. Title sequence designed by saul bass, from the film spartacus 1960, directed by stanley kubrick, starring kirk douglas, jean simmons, charles laughton. Saul bass saul bass revolutionised film title and credit sequence design. Title sequence title designers saul bass elaine bass. The most innovative and influential graphic designer in the history of cinema, saul bass was born 100 years ago on 8 may 1920. Saul bass storyboards for stanley kubrick film spartacus.
He had the ability to grasp the very essence of a film and present it in such a way that in an opening sequence lasting just a few minutes he could convey the atmosphere and premise of the film to come. Saul bass vivid storyboards for kubricks spartacus 1960 open. Saul bass powerful title sequence for the man with the golden arm changed the way directors and designers would treat the opening titles. We see in the storyboards, as empire says, an elliptical sequence with the. In 1955, elaine makatura came to work with saul bass and after the opening title sequence to spartacus in 1960, which elaine codirected and produced, the two were married. In 1955, elaine makatura came to work with saul bass and after the opening title sequence to spartacus in 1960, which elaine codirected and produced, the. Title sequence for alfred hitchcocks film vertigo created by saul bass. With the opening to spartacus 1960, she was directing and producing title sequences, and in 1961 the couple married. May 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker, best known for his design of motionpicture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos during his 40year career, bass. Llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to. Saul bass was, first and foremost a pioneering 1950s hollywood designer, the founder of conceptual cover design, who created the motion picture title sequences and posters for a great many.
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