VCD 302 BLOG TOPIC #1

Communicating via motion involves issues of both the “what” is moving across the screen – typographical, pictorial, or abstract elements – and “how” that particular something is moving.

In the ‘Stranger Things’ sequence, the typography used being the primary object, is not only a fitting successor to a revered title design tradition, but a testament to the power of type in motion and the enormous potency of nostalgia. The choice of typeface used in the title sequence of Stranger Things is that of Benguiat as outlined within the article. This choice of type was selected in reference to the deep association of Stephen Kings early 80’s paperbacks the Choose Your Own Adventure series, the dusty, musty touchtones used. In the sequence the What is the primary object in motion, it is depicted for the viewer as smooth sliding transitions that moved fluidly across the camera, being the secondary motion, Fade down transitions with jittered lighting and slight colour fade hints  to create an 80’s slight apocalyptic vibe to the sequence, a direct descendant of iconic Richard Greenberg opening title sequences seen in Altered States 1980 and too The Dead Zone 1983 all in which were designed by Richard Greenberg. These elements were carefully re-designed and re-thought through trial and error to create a sequence for a show that depicts these characteristics of a nostalgic, spooky, ominous 80’s vibe through dusty, musty tones which pays homage to Richard Greenberg title sequence designs and Stephen King paperback styled films. 

Michelle Doherty from Imaginary Forces explains how throughout their curation on the title piece it was a key stage for them to pick out elements from title sequences previously created through that era of the 80’s and highlight mistakes made previously. By doing so Michelle and her small team of designers were able to create a contemporary twist on the 80’s era for the title sequence via visual inspiration, comparison and technical traditions of that time. The uses of light passing through the film and the removal of contemporary ideas of rigid and snappy sequencing of the typeface to a rather seamless and fluid transitioning. Adaption of “fade-downs” of the overall type that then transition to a colour fade of the red tones accompanied with jittered lighting which fit the style of the 1980’s. 

Overall I found this article interesting in the way the designers that created the opening motion design scene for “Stranger Things” created a way of using modern contemporary skill sets and fundamentals of motion design and slotted them into the formerly contemporary 80’s styled Stephen King nostalgic, horror feel sequence. This entire article really opened my knowledge into how motion design is created in a professional scene and the ways in which a team is built up for a sequence for a film opening.