Saul bass was the master of the title sequence, working on such films as anatomy of a murder, north by northwest and goodfellas. This may be the most comprehensive, effective, and entertaining selfpaced bassinstruction course ever created. Bass, who created the hypnotic title sequences for, among other titles, otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955, alfred hitchcocks north by northwest and psycho, and martin scorseses goodfellas was revered for his. Saul bass when saul bass started making credits, the credits themselves were part of the film and they had a clarity of a modern sensibility that took you to another decade, another two decades ahead. The bass guitar is undoubtedly one of the most significant instruments of this century, yet this book is the. A good title sequence tells you everything you need to know about the world of a movie. The work of academy awardwinner saul bass covers the full range of the design spectrum.
Around the world in eighty days 1956 bass epic, the title sequence for oscarwinner around the world in eighty days was the longest and. Bass talks about the evolution of his thematic title sequences that open and close many of the great productions of a generation of hollywood directors and producers. In the contemporary media landscape the opening title sequence continues to. The fourth in a series the fender book, the gibson les paul book, the rickenbacker book, the bass book offers a complete illustrated history of bass guitars from fenders first in the 1950s through the models of the next 40 years that formed the foundation for modern music. Saul bass invented the modern title sequence with otto premingers. Since it was first published in 1995, the bestselling bass book has become the standard text for anyone searching for a complete history of bass guitars.
Currently, there are 10 main body farm novels and 2 novellas. Striped bass in fresh and salt water are one of the worlds greatest gamefish, and the complete book of striped bass fishing is the fullest, most authoritative, most helpful book ever written on the species. The author speaks of the divine as the god of dirt and the heartbeat of love at the center of all things. Every design saul bass created for the movie the man with the golden arm 1955 including. For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for goodfellas, his remake of cape fear, the age of innocence, and casino. Teach me bass guitar is a oneofakind master class in bass guitar taught by roy vogt, head of the bass department at nashvilles prestigious belmont university for 30 years. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Graphic designer and oscarwinning director saul bass worked with some of the most creative filmmakers in hollywood to set the tone for their work through his unique title sequences for films ranging from psycho to goodfellas. Synopsis in california in the early 1950s, the fender company introduced the worlds first electric bass guitar. Saul bass title sequences for alfred hitchcock on vimeo. Brooks and martin scorsese, who urged the basses to return to main title design. Saul bass invented the modern title sequence with otto premingers the man with the golden arm.
A comprehensive guide to exploring new techniques and styles from heavy metal to jazz. He talks about the evolution of his thematic title sequences that open and close many of the. If you want to read the jefferson bass books in the right chronological order, as opposed to the publication order, you should start with jordan stormy banks, the short novella that comes before cut to the bone, as both take place in the early 1990s in tennessee. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the. Posters, lobby cards, album covers and the title sequence. I really think it can be a beautiful, melodious instrument. He was the first to introduce this technique in hollywood films which previously employed static titles. Title sequences from saul bass, the master of film title design. Concentrate on basic music theory and correct techniqueposture. Saul bass may 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was a graphic designer and filmmaker, perhaps best known for his design of film posters and title sequences.
My initial thoughts about what a title can do was to set mood and the prime underlying core of the films story, to express the story in some metaphorical way. Interactive image gallery includes title credits for the designer with brief overview of each project. His best known works include a series of unforgettable posters and title sequences for films. A thesis submitted to the graduate council of texas state university in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of music with a major in music may 2014 committee members. One of cinemas great craftsmen, saul bass is a name you may not recognize, but you no doubt know his work particularly his striking, minimalist title sequences. Academy awardwinner, saul bass 19201996 is regarded as the inventor of modern film title sequences. In this film he combines his favorite subjects with his interest in the cinema, by presenting a selection of the feature film title sequences which he made famous. Thats about all the play bass like a pro books are good for. As it unspools the credits for a given film, it can also convey the movies mood, its sense of place, its storys theme and even a few of its plot points. He recognised that graphic design and film design are closely related. Simple title cards were used to top and tail silent films. The book starts with the basic major scales, then delves into the modes lydian, phrygian, etc. If you like what youre reading, check out our bestselling books rework and remote. Can you name the movie by a screenshot of its title sequence designed by saul bass.
Acted as a signal that the film had started and then finished. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. The complete book of striped bass fishing by nick karas 2016. Teach yourself to play bass guitar at your own pace. This book will give bassists insight into many of the scales used in jazz. Nicholas pileggi said of saul and elaine bass, you write a book of. Sequence and rhythmic variation bass musician magazine. Saul bass designed the poster with a strinkingly simple flaming black and red rose.
For scorsese, elaine and saul bass created title sequences for. This film opening sequence is made by sean bauer, the opening sequence is for the movie django unchained, when making the opening sequence for the movie, the designer chose to be inspired by saul bass and his unique design and when you watch the opening sequence you can really tell the designer was really heavily influenced by saul basss unique simple style. Bass sat down with herbert yager to discuss his process and the theories behind. Heres his opening title sequence for the man with the golden arm. Youve learned the basics of bass, so now its time to explore new styles and techniques to help you become a wellrounded and more knowledgeable player. Responsible for the title sequences and graphic identities of some of the greatest films of all time, for us his work reached a high point when he weaved his magic on john frankenheimers brilliant, flawed masterpiece grand prix just looking at basss credit list is aweinspiring and its amazing to think this jewishamerican immigrant was able. Saul and elaine designed title sequences for more than 40 years, continuously experimenting with a variety of innovative techniques and effects, from bunraku style maneuvers in spartacus 1960, liveaction sequences in walk on the wild side 1962, to timelapse photography in the age of innocence 1993, and even chopped liver in mr. At the time he started working on a book about his own life and career. Saul bass was, first and foremost a pioneering 1950s hollywood designer, the founder of conceptual cover design, who created the motion picture title sequences and posters for a great many. Part one of a threepart series, this book introduces music theory, scales and chords.
Toward the end of his career, saul bass was rediscovered by james l. Guy bass has 87 books on goodreads with 3101 ratings. The poster is basss trademark graphic style, with its handlettered. Saul bass was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning. Saul bass really was the first to inflict that and would destroy. Saul bass discusses his most notable work in his own words. Fifteen years after his death, saul bass remains a revered figure in the world of film, where he was known for the opening sequences to movies like vertigo, psycho, and west side. Opening titles do more than simply tell you who edited a film or designed. He had the ability to grasp the very essence of a film and present it in such a way that in an opening sequence lasting just a few minutes he could convey the atmosphere and premise of the film to come. Saul bass powerful title sequence for the man with the golden arm changed the way directors and designers would treat the opening titles. Bass became notorious in the industry after creating the title sequence for otto premingers the man with the golden arm 1955. Saul bass on his approach to designing movie title sequences. From jazz bassist to popular music icon by joshua andrew zarbo, b.
This is the first book to be published on one of the greatest american. Bass books fundamental changes music book publishing. Id like to think that the bass hasnt been used to its full capacity yet. Book of the black bass comprising its complete and scientific and life history with a practical treatise on angling and fly fishing and a full description of tools, tackle and implements is a work of angling and fly fishing literature on the subject of black bass written by james a. James jamerson from jazz bassist to popular music icon. Saul bass revolutionised film title and credit sequence design.
Vertigo 1958 starring james stewart, kim novak, barbara bel geddes north by northwest 1959 starring cary grant, eva marie saint, james mason psycho 1960 starring anthony perkins, janet leigh, vera miles. May 8, 1920 april 25, 1996 was an american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker, best known for his design of motionpicture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos during his 40year career, bass worked for some of hollywoods most prominent filmmakers, including alfred hitchcock, otto preminger, billy wilder, stanley kubrick and martin. They couldnt have known it then, but their precision bass started a revolution in the sound of popular music. Saul bass title sequences the movie title stills collection. Bass will always be remembered for his title sequences due to the fact they were so popular and unique compared to all the other professional artists and producers of title sequences like himself. Bass developed iconic, influential and noteworthy title sequences employing distinguished kinetic typography for motion pictures, including north by northwest 1959, vertigo 1958 and psycho 1960. Saul bass was a great 20thcentury american graphic designer, who created the corporate image and memorably stunning logos for numerous american companies. Most of the title sequences bass designed are available on bluray and dvd. Revised and expanded edition of every bass players favorite book. Bass also designed some of the most iconic corporate logos in north america. His designs involve the search for the elusive visual statement that instantly communicates the films intent while generating audience interest. A good example of her writing style and research capabilities is this fantastic 9pages long. Made using after effects, illustrator and photoshop.
Below youll find an overview with links to blogposts featuring over a thousand stills and dozens of videos. Otto preminger liked bass s work so much and decided to collaborated with him on the title sequence as well. Bass guitar for dummies is the one i found most useful fwiw. Each scale is presented with standard notation, tablature, and fingering patterns forboth one octave and two octaves. Bass decided to create a controversial title sequence. A life in film and design jennifer bass, pat kirkham, martin. Ive located 46 of the 55 title sequences he created. Title sequences from saul bass, the master of film title. When the reels of film for otto premingers controversial new drugs movie, the man with the golden arm, arrived at us movie theatres in 1955, a note was stuck on the cans projectionists pull curtain before titles. The movie posters of american graphic designer and oscarwinning filmmaker saul bass 19201996. Best known for his collaborative work with hitchcock, preminger and scorsese, bass on titles presents a comprehensive, wellrounded retrospective of his film title sequence design. Saul bass made the title sequence into a film star the new york. With the bass style resource, you will be exposed to a variety of.
To celebrate the release of the longawaited book saul bass. Bass exercises a great way to build facility is by practicing repeated patterns through scales and chords. The subject of the film was a jazz musicians struggle to overcome his heroin addiction, a taboo subject in the mid 50s. Saul bass designed three title sequences for alfred hitchcock. Beginning melodic sequences exercises bass technique. The man who made the title sequence into a film star.
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