Analysing Opening Sequences - Conclusion
Having looked at six different opening scenes from completely different genres, I've found that the following conventions consistently come up in opening scenes. I will aim to use some, if not all of these in my opening scene.
There is usually more than one production company logo and they are often moving titles (idents). They generally appear right at the beginning of the opening scene, sometimes with a sound bridge to the music or dialogue of the opening scene.
The titles or credits are very common in the opening scene (unless it is a Bond film and the titles come after the pre-credit sequence). They include titles for the name of the film, the director, the main actors and other important crew members.
This appears, in a font that suggest the genre to the audience, towards the end of most opening sequences, after the rest of the titles.
Often, the audience are introduced to an important setting, which may indicate where the action will take place during the narrative, or will set the tone/establish the genre of the film.
It is often possible to instantly tell what genre the film belongs to, through aspects of mise-en-scene (such as setting, props and costume) and through the music used.
Often the opening scene will introduce the main protagonist/hero to the audience (though this can be another important character, such as the antagonist/villain). The purpose of an opening scene is often to establish character traits, which will have some kind of significance later in the narrative.
Sometimes, in genres like thrillers or horror films, the opening scene is used to create enigma or mystery, which unsettles the audience by withholding certain information (like a character's identity).
I am now going to do some more research on some of these conventions I've found, looking in more detail at some opening scenes that introduce setting, introduce characters and create enigma.
Production Company Logos
There is usually more than one production company logo and they are often moving titles (idents). They generally appear right at the beginning of the opening scene, sometimes with a sound bridge to the music or dialogue of the opening scene.
Titles/Credits
The titles or credits are very common in the opening scene (unless it is a Bond film and the titles come after the pre-credit sequence). They include titles for the name of the film, the director, the main actors and other important crew members.
Film Title
This appears, in a font that suggest the genre to the audience, towards the end of most opening sequences, after the rest of the titles.
Establishes Location/Setting
Often, the audience are introduced to an important setting, which may indicate where the action will take place during the narrative, or will set the tone/establish the genre of the film.
Establishes Genre
It is often possible to instantly tell what genre the film belongs to, through aspects of mise-en-scene (such as setting, props and costume) and through the music used.
Introduction of Main/Important Characters
Often the opening scene will introduce the main protagonist/hero to the audience (though this can be another important character, such as the antagonist/villain). The purpose of an opening scene is often to establish character traits, which will have some kind of significance later in the narrative.
Creating Enigma/Mystery
Sometimes, in genres like thrillers or horror films, the opening scene is used to create enigma or mystery, which unsettles the audience by withholding certain information (like a character's identity).
I am now going to do some more research on some of these conventions I've found, looking in more detail at some opening scenes that introduce setting, introduce characters and create enigma.
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