Halloween is a 1978 American independent slasher film by director John Carpenters. The title sequence is fairly simple as all it features is a pumpkin on the right and titles on the left. The titles are basic and cohesive with the pumpkin as it changes colour like the glow in the pumpkin. Throughout the sequence the camera is slowly zooming into the pumpkin. There is non-diegetic music in the background building up suspense; what starts as consistent piano mood music, eventually gets more dramatic and the piano keys get lower as the pumpkin appears.
To begin, is a music score of piano keys. The consistency of the music throughout the title sequence creates a sinister feel. It opens with the production company 'Compass International Pictures' and its logo beneath. The basic black background against the block capital title is so simplistic that together with the music, it almost becomes haunting.
The start of the sequence informs the audience of key information i.e. compass international pictures, the producer Moustapha Akkad. The large scale of Akkad's name highlights significance and indicates a high status. His name also appears before the pumpkin- the centre focus of the title sequence which essentially suppports the suspense, which again suggests his importance.
Donald Pleasence's name is the first title to appear next to the pumpkin, which highlights his status to the film and also the change in the piano keys not only dramatizes the clip but also adds more of an impact to his title. His name is also the first to appear before the title of the fim. The fact that that it appears even before the director, heightens his importance further suggesting he is a heavy-weight actor.
The title and the director (John Carpenter) appear on the screen at the same time. This emphasizes Carpenter's credit to the film. Shortly after Carpenter's name and the films title flickers out, the pumpkin slowly zooms in. This pre-transition of the pumpkin reinforces Carpenter's importance because it is neither eclipsed by the title or the moving pumpkin.
The title sequence also introduces aspects based on importance. This is evident in the que of actors. For example, before the directors name or the name of the film it says 'Donald Pleasence in' highlighting his public status or significance to this film, whereas other actors are introduced with their characters name- an indication they aren't as recognizable i.e. 'introducing Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie' and 'Nancy Loomis as Annie'. The use of the word 'introducing' suggests Curtis isn't a recognizable actress.
The pumpkin which essentially is the main focus of the clip, eventually fades out but the glow in the eye and nose remain until it slowly flickers out; this may be symbolic of something i.e. a representation of a form of life.
Just before John Carpenter's name appears again, the glow from within the pumpkin dies out suggesting it has been blown out. Carpenter's name then fades in with nothing else on screen, therefore his title and essentially status, isnt eclipsed by anything i.e. the pumpkin. The is also the fourth time Carpenter is mentioned in the title sequence which highlights his importance as a director.
As the sequence comes to an end, it fades from the name of the directer to a black screen with plain white font establishing the location. The sinister piano music eventually transitions to a diegetic sound of children singing a Halloween song. This indicates the end of the title sequence and supports the expected theme of the film.
The last title is one which establishes the event and the year. It provides basic information before the film has even begun which indicates that there must be some significance to the location, year and most likely the event (halloween night).
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