Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and film maker of the twentieth-century. He was a pioneer for the modern title sequence designing. He specialised in crafting motion picture title sequences, corporate logos and movie posters. He carried out this work along side his wife Elaine Bass however the society which they grew up in was extremely sexist and therefor even tho most likely they did the same amount of work his name is known far better globally.
He is most famous because he was the person who 'introduced a new art form within his imaginative title sequences'. This form of art allows the audience to be prepared for what they're about to see as well as clearly highlight the soul of the film. He's known to have worked with some major and some of the greatest Hollywood film makers; Stanley Kubrick, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder Scorsese. In addition to this among the film industry he is praised and receives recognition for creating the title sequence for 'The Man with the golden Arm' in 1955 produced by Otto Preminger as shown below:
'Saul Bass the man who changed Cinema', many have quoted this about Bass explaining the extent of his success.
Below is a video called 'Saul Bass the name behind the titles' explaining more about his work as well as Bass's words about how it all occurred:
In this Video Saul Bass explained what happened in his own words- 'During that period I happend to be working on the symbols for 'Carmen Jones' and 'man with the golden arm'. And at one point we looked at each other and said why not make it move'. Bass states that this is the moment he came up with the ideas to bring the titles 'alive'.
Bass believed by doing this 'the movie experience would take place from the very first moment of film'.- 'To create a climate for the story that was going to unfold'- Bass 1985
Analysis of Saul Bass's title sequence in 'Phsyco' (1960)
Phsyco was a horror/ thriller film made in the 1960's which was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, and the title sequence carried out by Saul Bass. This film produced Hitchcock the biggest success of his carer, as well as being seen as one of Bass's due to moving titles being an extremely fresh thing in the 1960's with him being the creator of it.
Below is the title sequence in which he created:
Although this sequence would not be seen as anything special now, back when it was made people were amazed and shocked by this creation and Bass work.
The sequence its self is engaging and although the screen appears black the titles help explore and tell us what may be to come.
The genre is made clear through the titles, by using only black and white it connotes a dark eerie feel imply that is is in fact a horror or thriller. This is again seen through the use of faced paced editing, whereby the titles appear on the screen quick with a harsh slash. Additionally the parallel soundtrack played in minor key further creates an unsettling, unpredictable, suspenseful feel. This all establishes a deathly, unsettling mood creating a theme of uncertainty.
Within the entirety of this sequence we aren't given many clues to the narrative, but given a clear idea to the mood, atmosphere etc. Therefore all that is really highlighted and made extremely clear is the extent of the fast paced music and glitchy subtitles further underline a feeling of unease and horror. Moreover, by the titles fading from black to a wide shot of the city, it gives us an idea that they may be some foreshadowing of a death awaiting in the movie to come.
There is a wide range of reason's as to why this sequence appears so effectively. However personally i believe this is because of the simplicity yet small details to it. Even tho the sequence appears rather plain it does give lots of ideas and creates a strong feel to the movie for the audience due to it doing a the normal job of highlighting genre, themes and mood through the use of only black and white and the use of font. By the sequence being so minimalistic it also allows the audience to have their own interpretation and doesn't give too much away. The sequence keeps the audience scared and wanting to watch on resulting in it being an extremely successful opening sequence.
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