Art of the Title Sequence: LITTLE WOMEN
an animated sequence with symbolism and flair
K-drama Little Women (2022) goes through plenty of stylistic and genre elements in its 12-episode run, incorporating everything from ‘women’s picture’ melodrama to investigative journalism thriller, flashbacks through multiple eras, stark class tensions, patterns of ritualistic abuse repeating themselves, meet cute romcoms, and a deliciously Bond-villain-lair-esque climactic sequence.
How to best capture all those vibes in a title sequence?
Why not animation.
Animation can convey certain absurdist concepts which would be more awkward in live action. Props department could absolutely make or find a tiny birdcage and a teacup large enough to wear as a lampshade-sized hat, but it doesn’t quite come across the same way, nevermind the logistical implications!
Blending from one setpiece to the next is smoother; the ‘Last Supper’ is one animation done by one core team, instead of a painting someone has to make, then another someone(s) have to manipulate so the characters move, and still more someone(s) must work with to film hands clasping then superimpose them over the top / in the foreground, etc.
Many of the items are key to the series, from the blue orchid to a plain brick to a very specific pair of high-heeled shoes. Animation can more easily combine disparate pieces into one image in a way which feels natural, and make the elements all look ‘of a piece’.
For example, if you were trying to make a photorealistic version of this frame, it would be time consuming animation also takes time and money! However, animation doesn’t involve getting all your actors in one place; you could work on this concurrent with filming. It also might be more difficult to represent the shoes, blue orchid, money, etc. in a visually coherent way, which matches what we’ve seen elsewhere in the title sequence, especially when the audience only gets a second to take it all in.
In no way am I saying “animation is super easy! and always looks good! what a cheat code!”
But depending on what levels of symbolism or absurdity you want to achieve, how many difficult elements there are, and how stylised you want to make your title sequence, animation is a good consideration even — or especially! — if there are no elements of it elsewhere in your show.