Saul Bass Research Essay

Saul Bass

How he revolutionised the title sequence

As a graphic designer Saul Bass created some of the most well known logos in history. But it’s his work in film, especially opening sequences where he really shines. Saul redefined the purpose of the title sequence and has certainly influenced modern day film in a massive way.

Saul Bass was born on the eighth of May 1920. Saul spent most of his childhood growing up in New York, the Bronx. After graduating from secondary school Saul joined the Brooklin College where he studied graphic art, and found his amazing talent. In 1954 Saul was given a change to design a poster for the film ‘Carmen Jones’. The success behind this poster is what starter Saul’s career and put him on the map. Saul revolutionised the title sequence bringing a new level of sophistication to it. Typically, credits and the title were static and didn’t have any life in them, Saul realised that these two features had so much potential, he decided to experiment with them. Through understanding that everything within a film is just as important as another, Saul was able to make films more interesting to watch by adding movement and colours to title sequences, which would give the audience an idea at what the film would be about gripping them in to the film from the very start. Saul’s work was mostly very simple, through the use of symbols and geometric shapes he was able to convey emotion in a way which nobody had done before.

Some of Saul’s bets work comes from very famous films like, Psycho, Goodfellas, West Side Story, and Around the World in Eighty days. However, it’s not just Saul’s work that has this effective style to it. Saul’s work influenced the film industry his work style can be seen in other opening sequences to this very day. One of  my personal favourite opening sequences is ‘Catch me if you can’. As soon as the sequence starts we hear diegetic sounds, which instantly catches the viewers attention. Through the use of music the viewers get an understanding of the pace of the film, which allows them to get a basic understanding of the genre which in turn helps them better emotionally connect with the film. Saul’s style is clearly evident in this piece. Because Saul understood what key aspects of the title sequence were most importanrt he could play on these things which helped him create an effective opening sequence.