Forget the Film, Watch the Titles

collections

(47 titles)

Animated characters introduce us to the story of the film.

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(20 titles)

Title sequences based on animated graphic design.

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(6 titles)

Video interviews with Kyle Cooper, Karin Fong, and others.

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(44 titles)

Mixed media, filmed sequences, and various hybrids.

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(16 titles)

Digital 3D modelling and 3D animation techniques.

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Michael Riley

Michael Riley is the creative director of Shine, a creative design studio in LA.

Riley graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, and began his career as an intern under Tibor Kalman at M&Company in New York. He then started working with Kyle Cooper at R/Greenberg Associates and moved on to become partner and creative director at Imaginary Forces. I asked Riley about his 'early years'...

"I have many fond memories working at R/Greenberg Associates in New York, and of my time at Imaginary Forces in Los Angeles," says Riley. "I could name a long list of amazing people, personally and professionally, at both companies. My first experience with a company that did title design was at an internship I had in college under Tibor Kalman at M&Co. in New York. When I first saw him use typography as a thoughtful, conceptual, and expressive element in a Talking Heads music video, I realized the possibilities of mixing design with film. It completely changed my view of the possibilities design offered."

Which titles are you the most proud of?
"I was very happy to work for DreamWorks on Kung Fu Panda. Maybe Gattaca, for Andrew Niccol; Band of Brothers for Steven Spielberg; or Standoff for Fox; or 21st Century for The United Nations."

Michael has been directing and designing film and television main title sequences, theatrical trailers, television commercials and corporate identity packages since 1991. He has designed main title sequences for Kung Fu Panda, Traitor, Rent, Gattaca, Signs, Mad Money, and television title sequences for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Standoff, Blade: The Series, Criminal Minds, Karen Sisco, Ally McBeal, Satuerday Night Live, Band of Brothers and many more.

Riley speaks passionately about his work: “The dialogue between Shine and our clients is the most important ingredient to the design process. We have a great relationship with many filmmakers, studios, and agencies which in turn gives us the opportunity to make a successful project. Design is about people, and if there are strong, healthy, client relationships, there's a better possibility to pull off a good project. We are very lucky to have a circle of great clients that return again and again. That's what drives our work.”

Can you say something about your most recent title projects for Taking Chance and Grey Gardens2?
Riley: "Taking Chance is an HBO Films project. It's a story based on real-life events, Kevin Bacon plays Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, a volunteer military escort officer, who accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. It's a very powerful and important story. We're really proud to be part of that film.

"Also for HBO we're doing titles for a dramatic remake of the famous Albert Maysles documentary, 'Grey Gardens'. It's a great story. Grey Gardens is based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy raised as Park Avenue débutantes but who withdrew from New York society. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange both do an amazing job in this film. Michael Sucsy did an amazing job directing."

Riley was nominated twice for an Emmy for Outstanding Main Title Design for 'Standoff' and 'Band of Brothers'. He was awarded a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal from the D&AD, The British Design and Art Director’s Association, “Trailer of The Year” Golden Trailer Award, a Belding Award, a Silver Medal from the New York Art Director’s Club.

The following studios:

Shine Studio

Founded in late 2005 by creative director Michael Riley and producer Bob Swenson, Shine is a creative design and production studio based in Los Angeles, specializing in branding and storytelling for the entertainment and advertising industries. Shine's mission: “to fuse striking conceptual thinking with the cutting edge crafts of full-motion electronic media in an effort to distinguish brands, personalities, stories and experience.”

Visit the website of Shine Studio

Imaginary Forces

In 1996, RGA/LA - the West Coast division of RGA Digital Studios - changed its name to Imaginary Forces. The name was taken from Shakespeare's play Henry V: "And let us, ciphers to this great accompt, On your imaginary forces work."

"We have spent a long time building and refining a brilliant creative and production team ... Keeping this group together as our own company is truly exciting," commented Kyle Cooper, IF co-founder and creative director, about the name change (Variety, Dec. 2, 1996). Cooper left IF in 2003 to start his own venture, Prologue Films.

One of the strong points of Imaginary Forces is the company's conceptual design strategy. A strategy that has proved to work for any market or platform. Most projects start with the design team thoroughly researching the subject or product.

Visit the website of Imaginary Forces