AO2 & AO4 The conventions of film opening sequences

1. THE CONVENTIONS OF AN
OPENING SEQUENCE
Maya Shehata

2. THE PURPOSE OF AN OPENING
SEQUENCE
• The purpose of a film opening is to attract and grab the audiences
attention into carrying on watching a film. A film opening should
institute the characters and genre. Directors can do this in many ways
through sound, lighting, technical elements, costume, props etc.
• The opening sequence also includes the credits of the opening sequence
and lists the most important members of the production. They are either
covered on a blank screen or over the scene. There may also be non-
diegetic music. The aim of an opening sequence may be to establish
character, setting, genre, mood or atmosphere.

3. ASPECTS AN OPENING SEQUENCE MAY
INCLUDE:
• Opening sequence are likely to have a title scene, these show the cast
and production of the film. The titles can be a subtle way of informing
the reader about what kind of genre they are going to be watching.
• An establishing shot. An establishing shot is used to set the scene, and
give the audience an idea of where the film is going to take place.
• Flashbacks can also be a major convention of an opening sequence, it
roughly highlights with very minimal detail about the narrative back in
time usually to a key event such a movie and often the whole movie
revolves around getting to the flashback

4. ASPECTS AN OPENING SEQUENCE MAY
INCLUDE:
• Narrations and voice overs are an effective way of getting the audience
involved straight away. It is used to give background information on
what has been happening or who the characters are, giving the audience
an insight so the rest of the film make sense.
• Action scenes attract the audience straight away and will make them
want to carry on watching. It also gives the audience an understanding
of what kind of genre they will be watching.
• Production Logos are put at the start of most films they will always
present the logo or distributions of the film . If the film has a high
budget the logo will be according to the genre of film it is.

5. ASPECTS AN OPENING SEQUENCE MAY
INCLUDE:
• Sound track or non-diegetic music which is often played in the
background of a scene. This is the use of tone, volume, and tempo,
which will generically start quiet and slow-paced and eventually move
up to up-beat and loud music in order to create excitement for the
audience.
• The Establishing of characters in a opening scene of a film is one of the
key conventions in a film opening as it is where the audience gets a
rough understanding and introduction to the characters. It signifies their
importance and role in the film. In some films, particularly mystery
movies, the main characters may not be presented mainly because it
may provide too much information about the plot.

6. ENIGMA CODES
• Enigma codes are used during the opening scene of a film to help create
questions and tension to the audience. Enigma actively engages the
audience because it gets them to think about what is going on in the
film. Therefore it keeps the audience intrigued and wanting to watch the
rest of the film. It is a key factor in keeping the audience hooked from
the start.
• Enigma codes could be towards a character who is being first introduced
making the audience think “who are they?”. Like action codes, they give
an opening for progression in the story, but more importantly, it entices
the audience to continue their interest with the plot.