Main Task Film Opening 'Depletion' - Typeface Research

Typeface Analysis

Initial Typeface Idea:

Our initial idea for a typeface, for our Action film opening, is a typeface that is capitalised and striking but is evidently representative of the action genre from its appearance. The reoccurring motif of 'coding' that will feature in multiple shots, emphasises the secretive nature of the hidden governmental plans; metaphorically speaking Hayden (the protagonist) is the fault in the government's hidden code. This, therefore in-sighted the idea that the typeface should mirror this 'fault' which would have an appearance that is 'jagged' and with a significant 'glitch' effect. Upon research on typeface's using the keyword 'glitch', we decided on the typeface "Hacked Title". This is particularly effective as it's capitalised and has a relatively large kerning distance between the letters creates a dramatic appearance as it elongates the time taken to read the title. It also takes up more space on the screen when superimposed. The jagged serifed edges with horizontal lines aligned to one side of the letter sticking out, or areas within the letter itself missing segments of the side. 

We are hoping to animate the text with a glitch effect, such as the ones below, whereby the text moves in position with sections of the text disappearing or tilting side to side in a 'wave' or TV static preset. 

 

How we hope to achieve this:

We hope to achieve this text animation by using a 'prism' preset and adapting the extent of the movement of the text using a 'ripple' preset, by modifying the key frames; we will add new keyframes in quick succession in order to create a coherent piece of animation. This will appear after the blackout (with fade to black animation) and gunshot sound, in order to build tension and entice the audience to want to continue watching. 

Credits:

Throughout the opening scene, credits will appear superimposed on top of the visuals; however, the text will appear using a fade transition, aligned at varying places within the frame. We will use the same typeface as used before ("Hacked Title"). This will keep continuity throughout the opening and be a constant representative of the action genre. 

I created an exemplary opening title using Final Cut Pro X, in order to test the concept of the glitch effect, using the correct typeface. Originally the colours of the prism effect were much brighter before I decided to alter the saturation, as it appeared too bright to represent the action genre; which is generally dark and dimmer colours. To create the credits that appeared to exemplify the names of the actors and crew, I used the same technique. However, I made sure to use a dissolve transition as the credit appears and fades away. I aligned the credits to the bottom left or right-hand corner, dependent on the visuals of the shot.