Feb 29, 2008
Lost
Click to Watch
Click to Watch 720p HD Version
A quick and dirty creation, made on an Apple laptop using After Effects (according to the producer’s commentary on the Season 1 DVD).
Direct Link | Format: QuickTime H.264, 848×480 | Size: 1.1 MB | Running Time: 0:15 | Year: 2004
720p HD version | Format: QuickTime H.264, 1280×720 | Size: 1.9 MB | Running Time: 0:15 | Year: 2004
Related Extra: A great “what-the-titles-could-have-been” remix courtesy of Weebl’s Stuff.
I’ve always wondered if this opening credit sequence will actually mirror what the audience’s understanding of the overall story is – hazy, emerging from the darkness, briefly coming into complete focus before going completely awry again. Then it ends.
That’s what I hope for the whole series, actually. For it to culminate in brief but total understanding of what has led to that point, but then leapfrogging in a grand way that snaps the audience back to uncertainty, and then it’s over.
This is not a title sequence, not by my standards anyway. I actually blame Lost will the death of the title sequence (or at least it’s continued hibernation). I miss the great themes of TV shows and credit intros that get you pumped to watch the show (or movie).
So, screw this title sequence. It’s boring as hell too.
I disagree with you Kevin. While subtle, just hearing that noise is enough to get any LOST fan totally stoked. It works just as well as a long intro sequence to excite the audience.
Daryl, I think that’s because we like the show. But in terms of a title sequence. There is no sequence. It’s sorely lacking. I love Lost, but this is no title sequence and I miss the days when shows had one … I do think Lost is to partly to blame for the death of the title sequence.
I have to say I always enjoy a good title sequence to get me amped up for a show. Especially after some drama.
It is my understanding though that this was a title sequence that was made quickly for the pilot or something, but they felt it worked so well they kept with it. I’d agree too.
There’s mystery about it and it keeps it simple.
I’m not sure what you mean by death of the title sequence though mate. I can’t think of a show that doesn’t use them.
This title has always bugged me from the very first episode.
I looks great right up until it comes into full focus. Thats when you can see jittery little black cracks between the the 3D planes.
Uggh, After Efects is great at 2.5d graphics, but needs to stay away from 3D.
I can’t believe they’re coming up to their 5th season and they still haven’t fixed it.
Has this bugged anyone else?
Yes Rob, it kinda bothered me too. I like the simplicity of the title sequence, I just don’t like that they never decided to clean it up a little. I understand it was done quickly for the Pilot, but they have had plenty of time to fix it.
I think what we are also forgetting is that part of the Title sequence of this show could be the series recaps at the beginning of each show. Not only do they inform you on what happens in the past episodes, they also elude to what your about to see. So in a sense it adds to the excitement and anticipation, no need for a long title sequence introduction to the show.
I think anything with the “title” in it would be considered a title sequence.
I love this one.
A fantastic show, but yeah disappointing that the quality of that logo is so very very bad
I stare at those black cracks every time I see the sequence. Just bad.
Same. I also look at the imperfections and wonder why they still bother to use it. Such a dull sequence.
i think this title sequence is perfect. i wouldn’t say it was responsible for the death of the title sequence at all, it popularised the short titles because it gives the show more story-time, but it fits in perfectly with the style of the show. also, 24 was doing the same thing a while before.
Hmm. Although the black cracks annoyed me at first, I came to love them. They kind of represented the Dharma quality of the whole thing.
THANK YOU! Those little oversharpened rendering cracks bug me EVERY TIME I watch the show, and I’m absolutely boggled that they haven’t recalled the DVD boxed sets, much less fixed it in the later and ongoing seasons.
While I agree in terms of a graphically sound title sequence this falls somewhat short. However with the context of the show, I feel it is one of the most powerful title sequences* in today’s television in terms of depth and relevance.
The cast is to large and too disposable to include them in the title sequence, cast-less and cast-included screen shots and clips would only ruin the show’s premise, think about what the show started from? A plane crashes on some island, 5 seasons later the world is still “Wtf” is going on.
Perfect title sequence for this show. (aside from the technical issues described above)
In retrospect, the LOST title sequence fits the strange (and addictive) nature of the show itself. It doesn’t give anything away.
Are all of the detractors mad? Have you been watching the show? If this is a place for intellectual discussion of the art of the title (cough), then you need to be aware of the subject’s content in order to discuss it’s title sequence’s appropriateness.
Surely everyone here regards Saul Bass as a genius in his field? Surely everyone here thinks the Psycho title sequence is perfect? I can absolutely see a direct lineage from Psycho to Lost – not in terms of the subject matter or even the ‘treatment’ of the sequence, but purely with respect to the relationship between titles/content.
The appreciators of the sequence (and yes, it IS a sequence, for it is more than 1 frame in length) are right – with such an ensemble cast, and revelations of character/plot developments, it would be impossible to include anything other than the stark (Starck?!) simplicity of the word LOST… Also, if you really want lengthy title sequences which eat into the show you’re watching, that’s a simple ‘form over function’ equation which can be solved by editing lots of title sequences together and just watching them…
In terms of its mystery and ‘not giving anything away’, it’s perfect. In terms of its relationship to its equally mysterious soundtrack, it’s perfect. In terms of its ‘lo-fi’ qualities (which DIRECTLY links to technologies within the show), it’s perfect.
The full force of Lost is yet to be revealed, and final judgment should really be delayed until the last episode to really gauge the appropriateness of its title sequence, but I predict it will reveal itself to be.. well, perfect.
Lost opening sequence fits the show. I think it plays on the sound rather than the visual, that’s why some people are not too happy with it.
I don’t think JJ Abrams have anything against motion graphic opening. The opening title to Fringe is one of the greatest (although there are several visual flaws, done by Video Copilot Andrew Kramer). I can watch it over and over again.
That said, how come Lost is on here and opening to the Sopranos is not.
I love Lost and all…but…this hardly counts as a title sequence. Why not pick one of the five brilliant opening from The Wire? Those are a serious works of art.
I always loved this title “sequence” for its simplicity and the mysterious score. I also agree with the others who say the title is a perfect length. What more do you need really? I’m so hooked on the show itself, I’m just ready to see it, not a long drawn out sequence.
I too have noticed the little cracks in the title, especially on the curve of the “S”. Is it a sloppy mistake? Most likely. Why haven’t they fixed it? I’d be willing to bet 99% of their viewing audience has never noticed it.
One of the highest rated shows, millions of viewers, 5 years running…. Oh, but there’s a crack in the “S”. Pssshh, who cares?
While I can appreciate a good title sequence in movies, like the ones presented here on Art of the Title, I am very much grateful for the brevity of Lost’s opening sequence. The sequence does a great job of setting the mood: the sound, the forbidding letters coming toward you… perfect. I don’t need more and I don’t *want* more. I hate sitting through the titles of shows like House, which are pretty to watch (I love the typography and medical drawings) but just plain annoying if you have to see them over and over again. Luckily they can be skipped through on DVD. I hope more shows take on this new format.
I’ve noticed the jittery black cracks all the way from the very first episode, but it doesn’t bother me. I think the reason they don’t fix it is the same reason Joss Whedon didn’t change his “Grr Arg” logo that he also created five minutes before pitching the pilot of Buffy. It’s Nostalgia and a Milestone. If they fixed it now, there would just be some seasons with it and some seasons without, which would be inconsistent and feel like they’ve changed the show. At least now, it will be the same mistake all the way through.
And I don’t think that the title sequence is dead. I much prefer these kinds of titles for these kinds of shows. Heroes, 24, Lost, etc. Shows like House and CSI are the kind that need those cool “sequences,” which they do, to keep the viewer intrigued.
A Main Title Sequence can ruin a show. And that would definitely be the case for Lost had they gone with that option.
This is the shortest and the simplest main title, which I saw. Those black cracks are really ugly, I don’t know why the didn’t fixed them. Anyway, what kind of font did they use?
I remade LOST title sequence in 3ds max: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xiZyoi-Ceo – not perfect BUT…