This weeks Type Tuesday pick is Juno

I have to say, I'm not a big fan of the movie as a whole, but I really like the main opening title sequence. In the opening of Jason Reitman's second film a hand-crafted animation shows Juno walking through her neighborhood. Although I don't totally see it, according to the design firm, they started with vintage 1970s punk-rock posters as inspiration. I see the connection with the use of the xerography technique, but other than that, I don't see a connection in the use of typography at all. I've posted about the Beck video Nicotine & Gravy that I feel does a better job of capturing the "70's and early 80's Punk/New wave design aesthetic" (I'll repost that blog in the comments section.) Gareth Smith and artist Jenny Lee decided to create a sequence that "had texture and a little bit of edge, but also imparted the warmth and heart of the screenplay"

I do get the little bit of edginess and warmth that they were trying to convey. The opening starts off with live action film of Juno walking and contemplating her situation. The sequence then transitions as Juno walks past a tree, perhaps into her thoughts. I get the feeling this could be in her sketchbook or journal of some kind. It definitely has the feel of a high-school students notebook with doodles and thoughts scribbled all over it. And totally captures the feeling of the film.

The title sequence incorporates over 900 xeroxed, hand colored cut-outs of Juno, and was put together over 7 to 8 months.

Juno main opening title sequence: http://vimeo.com/13107046

Title Design by: Shadowplay Studio
Shadowplay Studio is a design and content studio located on the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles.

Shadowplay created the opening title sequence for Reitman's previous film, Thank You for Smoking

Credits
Main title designers: Gareth Smith & Jenny Lee
Production assistants: Sawsan Antoun, Bradley Geilfuss, Annie Lefkowitz, Genevieve Liang, Merridee Smith, Keith Smith, Olivia Yu
Main title producer: Ari Sachter-Zeltzer